AI Learning Circles
Learn AI in staff-led study groups, offered both in-person and online
Complete one of the following two courses in a supportive study group led by TPL staff:
Whether you're a beginner with no AI experience or have some AI experience, this is your chance to learn about what AI is, how it works, and how to use it responsibly to increase your productivity.
Earn a certificate that you can share with your network and future employers, showcasing your expertise.
To learn more about AI and access library resources, visit Learn AI.
About the Learning Circles
Learning Circles run for 4 weeks:
- AI Essentials Learning Circles - 2-hour session each week, for a total of 8 hours.
- Prompting Essentials Learning Circles - 2.5-hour session each week, for a total of 10 hours.
Join us in person at a library branch or online via Zoom. Each Learning Circle is facilitated by a library staff member.
At each session, you’ll discuss the content of the Google AI Essentials course or the Google Prompting Essentials course, have time to catch up on coursework, and learn about related library resources.
Expect approximately 2 hours of coursework between sessions to reinforce your learning.
About the Google AI Essentials Course
AI Essentials Learning Circle participants will receive free access to the Google AI Essentials course (a value of $79) offered through the Coursera online learning platform.
This course welcomes beginners with no AI experience.
Google AI Essentials consists of five sections and takes approximately 8 hours to complete:
- Introduction to AI - Learn about foundational concepts such as machine learning and generative AI.
- Maximize productivity with AI tools - Learn how to use generative AI tools to increase productivity in completing work tasks.
- Discover the art of prompting - Learn how to write effective prompts to get better outputs using AI tools.
- Use AI responsibly - Learn how to lessen harmful biases and inaccuracies. Recognize the security risks of using AI in the workplace.
- Stay ahead of the AI curve - Learn how to stay up-to-date with the latest AI news.
The course consists of short videos and articles, assignments and a five-question multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module.
Upon completing the course, you’ll earn a certificate that can be shared on a resume, CV, LinkedIn and social media profiles.
Access to Google AI Essentials will expire at the end of the Learning Circle program.
About the Google Prompting Essentials Course
Prompting Essentials Learning Circle participants will receive free access to the Google Prompting Essentials course (a value of $70) offered through the Coursera online learning platform.
This course is ideal for people with some AI experience. It is recommended that participants have previously completed the Google AI Essentials Learning Circle course.
Google Prompting Essentials consists of four sections and takes approximately 6 hours to complete:
- Start writing prompts like a pro - Recognize and apply the prompting framework. Understand the importance of evaluating and refining outputs.
- Design prompts for everyday work tasks - Apply strategies to draft text content, help with brainstorming, create tables and timelines, and more.
- Speed up data analysis and presentation building - Explore data visualization and develop a responsible practice when entering data into generative AI tools.
- Use AI as a creative or expert partner - Understand and apply prompt chaining for complex tasks - and prompt versioning and the benefits of saving and reusing prompts over time.
The course consists of short videos and articles, assignments and a five-question multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module.
Upon completing the course, you’ll earn a certificate that can be shared on a resume, CV, LinkedIn and social media profiles.
Access to Google Prompting Essentials will expire at the end of the Learning Circle program.
Register to join an upcoming Learning Circle
Customers 18 years and older can register for the Learning Circle program.
Requirements to participate:
- A valid Toronto Public Library card to join an online Learning Circle. Learn how to get a card.
- Basic computer and Internet skills.
- For online Learning Circles, a computer or laptop and internet connection are required.
- For in-person Learning Circles, you are encouraged to bring your own laptop. If you do not have one, the library will have computers or laptops available.
- An up-to-date browser (Google Chrome is recommended).
- An account on Coursera. This account is created as part of registration for the Learning Circle. You will need to provide some personal information. Please refer to the Coursera Privacy Notice and Terms of Use for more information.
- You must commit to attend all four sessions and to complete the Coursera course.
Upcoming events
New Learning Circle programs are added every month. Check back regularly to see the latest dates.
Upcoming Events
Additional resources
- E-Learning
Gain in-demand skills and sharpen your AI knowledge with our free online learning resources. - Let's Learn Tech
Gain in-demand tech skills with free online courses from Cisco Networking Academy that are interactive, self-paced and career-focused. - Digital Innovation Classes
Take your digital skills to the next level with hands-on classes, including Photoshop, Python, 3D design and more.
TPL’s Artificial Intelligence Policy
TPL's AI Policy shapes how TPL uses AI tools securely, responsibly, ethically and effectively.
TPL’s AI upskilling initiative is made possible:
