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Work Smarter, Not Harder with Everyday AI

Introducing the AI Essentials Series: 90-minute weekly sessions to help you write smarter, research faster, stay organized, and use advanced AI agents to automate tasks and boost productivity

Each session is:

  • 100% Online, Live Instructor-Led
  • Designed for Non-Technical Professionals
  • Focused on Practical, Everyday AI Use

AI Essentials Series Sessions

Sessions meet conveniently online on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM in July and August 2026.

At just $25 per session, you can sign up for individual sessions based on your interests or follow the full series to strengthen your practical AI toolkit.

Primary Focus & AI Tools: This session moves past conversational AI to agentic AI—tools that don’t just answer questions but plan and carry out multi-step work on your behalf. Featured tools: Claude Cowork, Claude Code, and ChatGPT Codex.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what makes a tool “agentic”—the shift from prompting and copy-pasting toward assigning a goal and reviewing finished work
  • See Claude Code/Cowork and ChatGPT Codex complete real, multi-step knowledge work on the desktop—organizing files, synthesizing documents, and building reports or spreadsheets—without writing any code
  • Recognize where agents excel, where they still need human oversight, and the data-security and governance questions to ask before pointing one at real institutional work
  • Build a practical sense of which tool fits which kind of task—and how to delegate effectively with clear goals, guardrails, and review checkpoints

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date & time: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus: This session takes the next step beyond agentic AI concepts and focuses on Claude Cowork/Code in practice: using project context, files, and folders to support multi-step work. Participants will learn how to structure tasks, guide Claude through changes, evaluate outputs, and collaborate with AI in a more hands-on workflow. Featured tool: Claude Cowork and Claude Code

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Apply agentic AI concepts to project-based work in Claude Cowork/Code
  • Use files, folders, and project context to guide Claude through multi-step tasks such as documentation, analysis, troubleshooting, and iterative revisions
  • Structure effective instructions that define the goal, relevant materials, constraints, desired output, and review checkpoints
  • Evaluate Claude’s proposed changes and generated outputs for accuracy, quality, security, and institutional fit
  • Recognize when Claude Cowork/Code is useful as a collaborator, when human intervention is required, and how to keep the human in control of final decisions

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date & time: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus & AI Tools: This session takes the next step beyond agentic AI concepts and focuses on ChatGPT in practice: using project context, files, and folders to support multi-step work. Participants will learn how to structure tasks, guide Codex through changes, evaluate outputs, and collaborate with AI in a more hands-on workflow. Featured tool: ChatGPT Codex

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Apply agentic AI concepts to project-based work in ChatGPT Codex
  • Use files, folders, and project context to guide Codex through multi-step tasks such as documentation, analysis, troubleshooting, and iterative revisions
  • Structure effective instructions that define the goal, relevant materials, constraints, desired output, and review checkpoints
  • Evaluate Codex proposed changes and generated outputs for accuracy, quality, security, and institutional fit
  • Recognize when Codex is useful as a collaborator, when human intervention is required, and how to keep the human in control of final decisions

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date & time: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus & AI Tools: Discover how Microsoft Copilot can become your everyday productivity partner. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore practical ways to use Copilot’s AI capabilities to write, analyze, and create more effectively—right inside the tools you already use, including Word, Excel, and Copilot on the web.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Generate, summarize, and edit documents in Word
  • Analyze data, create charts, and generate insights in Excel
  • Use Copilot on the web for research, brainstorming, and quick content creation
  • Integrate Copilot into daily workflows for efficiency and accuracy

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus & AI Tools: The session will focus on using Claude to move from ideas to finished outputs quickly and confidently. Participants will see how Claude can turn prompts into complete documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and dashboards, while also learning how to guide and refine outputs for professional quality.

Featured tools: Claude Chat/Cowork/Code

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Use Claude to generate professional documents including Word files, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations that are ready to download and use
  • Learn how Claude can build interactive dashboards and data visualizations from your information
  • Practice effective prompting techniques to get polished, work-ready outputs on the first try
  • Explore how Claude can analyze uploaded files—summarizing documents, extracting key data, and identifying patterns in complex materials
  • Understand Claude’s file creation capabilities, including when to use them and how to refine outputs for your specific needs

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus & AI Tools: This session expands participants’ capability with ChatGPT Plus and Team by moving beyond feature awareness into repeatable, high-impact workflows. Participants will refine how they configure settings for consistent results, apply advanced prompting and iterative techniques to produce higher-quality deliverables, and learn how to design and use custom GPTs to standardize common tasks. Through scenario-based demonstrations and guided practice, the session emphasizes integrating ChatGPT into real work processes—planning, drafting, analysis, and synthesis—while applying validation and responsible-use practices to ensure outputs are accurate, appropriate, and ready to share.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Design and deploy custom GPTs to standardize workflows (e.g., briefing templates, meeting prep, policy-aware drafting, and consistent tone/formatting) and improve team adoption
  • Integrate ChatGPT into existing tools and workflows by breaking complex work into staged prompts, reusable templates, and review steps that reduce manual effort
  • Leverage AI for advanced prompting patterns (e.g., structured requirements, role + constraints, critique-and-revise, and “show your work” checks) to generate polished, decision-ready outputs with fewer iterations
  • Synthesize and analyze source materials to produce grounded summaries, comparisons, and decision-support outputs

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Primary Focus & AI Tools: This session builds on foundational use of Gemini and NotebookLM and focuses on designing high-impact, repeatable workflows in Google Workspace. Through scenario-based demonstrations and guided practice, participants will learn to refine prompting strategies, iterate for higher-quality outputs, and apply AI to complex work such as synthesizing information across documents, drafting and revising with a consistent voice, preparing meeting materials from source content, and accelerating analysis and reporting in Sheets.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Design and reuse effective prompts and templates for common workflows (drafting, summarizing, planning, and decision support) across Workspace
  • Use Gemini in Gmail to triage, prioritize, and draft responses
  • Apply Gemini in Docs to generate structured drafts, perform substantive rewrites, and produce polished deliverables (e.g., briefs, agendas, executive summaries) with iterative refinement
  • Leverage Gemini in Sheets to accelerate analysis and reporting (e.g., summarize patterns, generate insights, create charts, and translate questions into formulas/structured outputs) while validating results
  • Use NotebookLM to synthesize across multiple sources, produce Q&A and summaries grounded in provided documents, and create reusable “knowledge briefs” and meeting prep packets

Instructor: Ryan Low

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

*75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of Q&A

Why Choose the AI Essentials Series?

  • Develop Immediate, Practical AI Skills – Gain practical tools you can implement in your day-to-day.
  • Practical and professional-focused – Designed for non-technical professionals ready to move beyond basic AI use and apply AI to real workplace tasks, not coding or theory.
  • Low commitment, high value – Each 90-minute session is just $25, allowing participants to choose the topics most relevant to them without a major time or financial commitment.
  • Learn from AI Experts– Sessions led by University of Maine Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration Ryan Low, as well as Gretchen Catlin, Chief Facilities & General Services Officer .

Summer 2026 AI Essentials Series Details

  • Format: Live on Zoom*
  • Session Duration: 90 minutes – featuring 75 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes for Q&A
  • Session Dates and Times:
    • Tue, Jul 21 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Thu, Jul 23 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Tue, Aug 4 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Thu, Aug 6 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Tue, Aug 11 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Tue, Aug 25 11:30AM – 1:00PM
    • Thu, Aug 27 11:30AM – 1:00PM
  • Included in cost of session – AI Q&A Café (office hours):
    • Wed, Aug 5, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
    • Mon, Aug 31, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Cost: $25 per session

*While live participation is strongly encouraged, all Zoom sessions will be recorded and made available for participants who may not be able to attend for the full duration of the session.

Recommendation for paid applications: Please note that in preparation for the exercises and assignments you will do during the course, we recommend that participants have access to a paid version of a large language model, such as ChatGPT Plus or Gemini Pro. The paid versions of these platforms offer more advanced capabilities, better reasoning, and improved performance for the tools and workflows we will be exploring together.

Ready to build your AI Essentials toolkit?

Click here to enroll in the AI Essentials Series

University of Maine System employees – Please complete this form before registering to pay for this course via Interdepartmental Transfer using ChartFields.

Questions? Contact us at mainecenter@maine.edu

About The Instructors

Ryan Low serves as the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration & Treasurer for the University of Maine System, where he oversees financial operations, resource management, and administrative functions across the system’s seven universities. With a focus on fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and the strategic use of AI, he works to ensure the system remains financially sustainable while supporting its mission of accessible, high-quality education for Maine’s students.

Ryan has extensive experience in public administration, higher education finance, and AI integration. He is an active voice in discussions on the role of AI in higher education, presenting at events such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in Boston and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in Chicago. He is a member of Governor Janet Mills’ Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force and co-chairs the UMS AI Task Force, helping to guide responsible AI adoption within the university system. Additionally, he is a member of the Generative AI Network for Accreditation and Higher Education (GAIN-AHEAD), an HLC-convened group focused on AI applications in accreditation, institutional operations, and policy development.

Gretchen Catlin serves as the Chief Facilities & General Services Officer for the University of Maine System, where she leads systemwide efforts in facilities, risk and safety, strategic procurement, capital planning, and work management systems. She is pursuing a PhD in Public Policy with a focus on educational leadership at the University of Southern Maine, building on her MBA from the University of Maine and her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Husson University. In addition to her studies and work, Gretchen also serves on the United Educators Risk Advisory Board. 

Gretchen views AI as a powerful workforce multiplier – a tool that enhances communication, streamlines routine tasks, and supports more efficient research and decision-making. Under her leadership, teams have applied AI to build chatbots, document standard operating procedures, and develop practical solutions that improve efficiency and service. Her work emphasizes using AI responsibly to improve productivity across higher education and business settings.

Danae London serves as the Integrated Work Management System (IWMS) Manager for the University of Maine System, where she runs the Unified Work Control Center in support of UMS Facilities and General Services. She has worked for the University of Maine System for 7 years.
Danae champions practical, accessible technology that supports both people and business productivity. She believes the best tools are effective, enjoyable, and easy for everyone to use