# AI Literacy

Welcome to the **AI Literacy Program**, part of the **FGCU AI Academy** led by the **Dendritic Institute for Human-Centered AI & Data Science** at Florida Gulf Coast University. The **AI Literacy Program** is the _foundational offering_ of the **FGCU AI Academy**, designed as a gentle introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence for learners from all backgrounds. As the first in a series of Academy programs, it helps students, professionals, and community members build a common understanding of what AI is, how it works, and how it is transforming everyday life. Through accessible examples and human-centered discussion, participants learn to navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI with curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking — setting the stage for deeper technical and applied studies in subsequent Academy pathways. This Jupyter Book is designed to be your **interactive guide** through the world of Artificial Intelligence — from its origins and foundations to the basics of Generative AI (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs).

## Program Goals

The goal of this program is to **equip learners with enough understanding to confidently use and critically evaluate Generative AI tools**. By the end of this journey, you will:

- Understand what AI is, where it came from, and where it is heading.
- Recognize the main **branches, paradigms, and learning strategies** that underpin modern AI.
- Develop awareness of how AI systems are built, trained, and applied responsibly.
- Gain fluency in **Generative AI tools**, **prompt engineering**, and **context design**.
- Learn to assess AI outputs with a **critical, human-centered mindset**.

Whether you are a student, professional, or community member, this program provides the foundation to engage meaningfully with AI in your field.

## Learning Objectives

By completing this program, you will be able to:

- Describe the **historical evolution of AI** and its key milestones.
- Explain the **core concepts** of machine learning, data, and model training.
- Distinguish between different **AI terminologies** — computational intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, etc.
- Experiment with **Generative AI and LLMs**, understanding how they are used to create content.
- Apply **prompt engineering** techniques to guide AI outputs effectively.
- Design **context-aware interactions** that align AI responses with purpose, audience, and ethics.
- Reflect on **real-world use cases** evaluating both potential and limitations.

## Our Journey

AI Literacy is structured as a **sequential learning pathway**, blending history, concepts, and practice.  
Each module builds on the previous one — guiding you from “What is AI?” to “How can I work with it responsibly?”

| Module | Theme                                   | Focus                                                                                                       |
| :----: | :-------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **1**  | _A Brief History of AI_                 | From the dawn of computing to the present, tracing AI’s evolution across decades.                           |
| **2**  | _What is AI and Its Many Branches_      | Exploring the diverse approaches — machine learning, neural networks, natural computing, data science, etc. |
| **3**  | _How Machines Learn_                    | Understanding learning paradigms and strategies that power intelligent systems.                             |
| **4**  | _Generative AI & Large Language Models_ | Unpacking how GenAI systems and LLMs create new content and simulate reasoning.                             |
| **5**  | _Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering_    | Learning to communicate effectively with AI through structured prompting.                                   |
| **6**  | _Context Engineering_                   | Setting the right stage for AI: audience, purpose, tone, and ethical framing.                               |
| **7**  | _Foundational Models and Tools_         | Surveying some key AI frameworks, platforms, and copilots.                                                  |
| **8**  | _Sample Use Cases_                      | Examining practical applications across domains.                                                            |

![](AILiteracyJourney.png)

## How to Use This Jupyter Book

- Navigate the modules using the left-hand sidebar or the **Next/Previous** buttons at the bottom of each page.
- Download pages as `.md` or `.pdf` for your notes.
- Look for **💡 Examples**, **⚙️ Exercises**, and **📘 Further Reading** sections to deepen your understanding.
- Many pages include **interactive code cells** you can copy and launch in most LLM models, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Co-Pilot, etc.
- Use this book alongside the Canvas course, masterclasses, videos, and AI tool demonstrations offered by the **FGCU AI Academy**.

## Human-Centered AI

This program embraces a **human-centered approach** to AI:  
AI is not replacing people — it is amplifying our capacity to think, create, and solve.  
As you advance through these modules, keep reflecting on:

> How can AI become a partner in human learning, creativity, critical-thinking, and problem-solving?

## About the Instructor – Dr. Leandro Nunes de Castro

- Professor in the **Department of Computing and Software Engineering**, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, FGCU.
- Ph.D. in Computer Engineering with 30 years of experience in **Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Natural Computing**.
- Director of the **Dendritic Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science** at FGCU.
- Author of various AI and Data Science books and papers, and recognized among the **Top 2% most influential researchers in Computer Science worldwide**.
- Experienced entrepreneur, researcher, and educator with a focus on applying AI for innovation, business, and societal impact.
- Active mentor and collaborator with international academic and industry partners.

## 🧾 Acknowledgements

Developed by **Dr. Leandro Nunes de Castro**©️ for the **Dendritic Institute for Human-Centered AI & Data Science**, within the **U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University**.

Content curated by the team, with support from large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Gamma.ai, Napkin, and CoPilot, following ethical and pedagogical review.

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```{note}
*This Jupyter Book is part of the Dendritic AI Academy’s AI Literacy Track, aligning with FGCU’s AI-Aware Initiative to foster responsible, informed, and innovative engagement with artificial intelligence.*
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