Lecture Notes: Google's AI Essentials Course Review

Overview

• Duration & Cost: 5 hours, $49
• Purpose of Video: Share 5 key takeaways, pros and cons, and effectiveness of the certificate in enhancing job prospects.

Key Takeaways

1. Types of AI Tools

• Standalone Tools:
  • Independently operated AI software.
  • Examples: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Spico, Midjourney, Otter.ai, Gamma.
• Integrated AI Features:
  • Built-in enhancements within other software.
  • Examples: Google Docs and Slides using Gemini for Workspace.
• Custom AI Solutions:
  • Tailor-made applications for specific problems.
  • Example: John Hopkins’ AI for detecting sepsis.

2. Prompt Engineering

• Surface Implied Context:
  • Explicitly state implied information for better AI responses.
  • Example: Specify vegetarian when recommending restaurants to a vegetarian friend.

3. Zero Shot & Few Shot Prompting

• Definitions:
  • Zero Shot: No examples.
  • One Shot: One example.
  • Few Shot: Two or more examples.
• Usage: More examples provide more relevant AI output.

4. Chain of Thought Prompting

• For Complex Tasks:
  • Break tasks into manageable steps for consistency and accuracy.
  • Example: Writing a cover letter in steps.

5. Understand AI Limitations

• Data Bias:
  • Training data may have biases.
• Data Availability:
  • Limited information on recent events due to cutoff dates.
• AI Hallucinations:
  • Potential for factually inaccurate outputs.

Course Pros & Cons

Target Audience

• Not for:
  • Advanced users of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
• For:
  • Beginners and visual learners.

Benefits

• Expert Instruction:
  • Taught by Google employees.
• Visual Learning:
  • Effective use of graphics and analogies.
• Interactive Elements:
  • Helpful activities and graded assignments.

Course Resources

• Curated AI Tools List for beginners.
• Glossary of AI Terms

Conclusion

• Suitability: Ideal for beginners and offers a certification that may enhance job prospects.
• Additional Resources: Consider watching the summary of Google's free AI course for more conceptual understanding.