Artificial Intelligence Conference - Virtual-Course-Handout

Course-Handout - Getting Started With AI

Pdf Summary

This document introduces artificial intelligence, especially generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot, and explains how they can be used to improve productivity in business and accounting settings. It defines AI as computer systems performing tasks humans normally do, and notes that machine learning is a subset of AI. Generative AI is presented as the newest and most practical form of AI, using large language models to generate customized responses to prompts.<br /><br />The document compares major AI tools and highlights differences between free and paid versions. It explains how ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Perplexity, and Llama vary in features, pricing, safety, and popularity. A major focus is Microsoft Copilot, including its integration with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Examples show how Copilot can draft documents, summarize text, create presentations, analyze data, generate meeting transcripts, and automate repetitive work. It also discusses Copilot’s “Work” versus “Web” modes, conversation history, notebooks, and the use of AI “agents” for automated scheduled tasks. Microsoft Copilot Studio and Agent 365 are described as tools for building, governing, securing, and monitoring agents at scale.<br /><br />The presentation also addresses AI maturity and organizational readiness, emphasizing cross-functional teams, agile experimentation, reusable assets, and holistic impact measurement as drivers of AI value.<br /><br />Finally, it warns about key AI risks, including biased outputs, copyright infringement, data privacy and security concerns, deepfakes, and hallucinations. The overall message is that AI offers major benefits, but users must apply it carefully and responsibly.

Keywords

artificial intelligence

generative AI

ChatGPT

Microsoft Copilot

machine learning

large language models

business productivity

accounting automation

AI risks

data privacy