Beginner's Guide to Generative AI: GenAI Training

University Libraries Generative AI Workshop Series

These sessions taught by library staff are open to students, faculty and University staff. You may register via either Heel Life or the Libraries calendar, and will recieve the Zoom link after registering. Please contact Dayna Durbin (ddurbin@email.unc.edu) with any questions. 

What is Generative AI?

Monday, June 16, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm
Via Zoom

This online workshop will explain what generative AI is and how it is being used in higher education. Resources for learning more about generative AI and campus guidance about its use will be featured.

Register on Heel Life
Register via the Library Events Calendar

Writing Effective Generative AI Prompts

Tuesday, June 17, 2025
11:00am-12:00pm
Via Zoom

Description: Not sure how to get started with generative AI? This online workshop will help you practice writing prompts to get the results you need. Attendees are encouraged to login with their Onyen prior to the workshop at Copilot (click Sign In and then, depending on the prompts, EITHER select “Login with a work or school account” and login with your Onyen OR enter your onyen@ad.unc.edu email address and login with your Onyen).
Note: Copilot works best in the Edge browser.

Register on Heel Life
Register via the Library Events Calendar

Privacy, Property and Attribution in Gen AI

Tuesday, July 8, 2026
11:00am-12:00pm
Via Zoom

Gen AI is changing the ways that we think about copyright, citation, and other intellectual property issues. Join us for this discussion, led by librarians, of how to ethically use Gen AI as a tool.

Attendees will:

• Examine privacy, intellectual property, and data security risks of Gen AI.
• Know how to credit Gen AI contributions in your work through appropriate citation or attribution.
• Learn ways to share your process transparently with your instructors and peers.
• Be able to explain how using a Gen AI tool for writing contributed to your work.
• Check the accuracy, correctness, and relevance of Gen AI outputs against credible sources.

Register on Heel Life
Register via the Libraries Events Calendar

Gen AI Life Hacks

Thursday, July 24
2:00pm-3:00pm
Via Zoom

Gen AI tools have the potential to take on tedious tasks and daily drudge work, freeing us up for the fun parts: thinking, dreaming, and doing. In this workshop led by library staff, learn practical prompting techniques that can turn mile-long to-do lists into actionable plans, helping you work smarter across all areas of your life. We will also crowd-source tips from attendees on how Gen AI tools have helped them organize tasks for work, school, and life management. 

Attendees will: 

• Practice crafting clear prompts to create plans for time management, prioritizing work or study tasks, travel, cleaning, meal planning, and more.
• Understand how to use AI tools effectively. 
• Share ideas for using Gen AI tools to create routines, manage tasks, develop study guides, and save time at work and home.

Register on Heel Life
Register via the Libraries' event calendar

UNC offers several courses and degree programs that allow students to gain foundational knowledge in AI and pursue work across a wide range of contexts. This page provides a sample of AI-focus courses.  

Faculty are welcome to attend any trainings offered by the Libraries. For pedagogy-specific guidance about AI, the Center for Faculty Excellence is a great resource! They offer customized workshops on GenAI and teaching for academic units.