Course

Hands-On with Generative AI

Robert Todd
Monday, Apr. 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Monday until Monday, May. 18, 2026
Updated Schedule
Price: $140.00
31 slots available
Join/Renew
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*Update* Due to an unexpected and unavoidable scheduling conflict, Robert Todd needs to postpone the start date. Classes will now begin on April 20 and end on May 18 — and include a bonus fifth class. 

The capabilities of Generative AI models like GPT4, Claude and Google’s Gemini are profound, and profoundly weird. To harness their creative and analytical powers, it helps to understand a little about how they work — and then get your hands dirty. In this theory+practice course, we’ll look at the latest AI tools and learn some principles, practices, tips and tricks for getting the most out of them. It will be a fun, pragmatic and a probably perplexing parlay with the intelligences that are on a path to replace our own. As the saying goes, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Please note: This course is appropriate for both newcomers to the world of AI and those who've already tried their hand at it, including those who've taken Robert's classes before. To bring everyone up to speed — and to facilitate a rapid, hands-on start to the class — an "AI Primer" video with Robert Todd is posted in Member Dashboards. It provides a general overview of AI, serving as a good introduction and/or helpful refresher.

Faculty Bio

Robert Todd is an innovator and tech executive who writes, teaches about, and builds products and companies using technology that learns.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time 
  • Classes will also be video recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

*NEW Schedule Highlights*

  • Course starts on Monday, April 20, and ends Monday, May 18
  • Classes meet for 5 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
  • All course materials will remain in Member Dashboards through May 31

Member Praise for Robert Todd

Robert Todd is engaging, knowledgeable and humorous (the last being important to me, maybe not to other people). I learned a lot and am using AI every day.

The class's far ranging history and knowledge of technology, knowledge transfer, and AI was terrific. Fun to see a professor so excited about their topic.

Faculty Q&A