# AI for Business Course Online (Self-Paced) Canonical URL: ## Overview Unlock the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in this immersive course. Learn the essentials of AI technology, its importance, and how to begin using it in a variety of practical ways. In the first part of this self-paced course, you’ll delve into the world of generative AI with the tool everyone is talking about: ChatGPT. Learn how to craft effective prompts, manage chats, and leverage advanced features such as ChatGPT’s custom instructions and memory. We’ll discuss the distinctions between various GPT models and plans, data privacy, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. By the end of this section, you’ll be equipped with practical skills to harness ChatGPT for writing, summarizing, generating creative content, and more. In the second part of the course, you'll expand your capabilities with Microsoft 365 Copilot, exploring its integration across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive to boost productivity across your organization. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with additional Copilot features and learn more about the future of these AI tools. Between voice and image generation tools, deep research features, and app integrations, you'll learn the necessary skills to help you work more effectively with AI in a business context. ## What you'll learn - Explore generative AI and ChatGPT to understand what’s possible and how to use this tool. - Learn how to write prompts that generate clear, effective responses. - See real-world applications of ChatGPT across business tasks. - Customize ChatGPT’s tone and behavior using memory, instructions, and style adjustments. - Organize and streamline work using Projects and Custom GPTs. - Use Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive to automate and enhance business workflows. - Understand the capabilities and limitations of AI and how to best apply them in your workflow. ## Curriculum ### Session 1: Course Introduction & AI Fundamentals - Understand the evolution and scope of artificial intelligence in business. - Define generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and their core components (pre-training, transformers, context windows). - Compare traditional automation (e.g., calculators) versus generative systems. - Discuss AI opportunities and risks (creativity empowerment, hallucinations, ethical considerations). ### Session 2: Getting Started with ChatGPT - Set up and compare free vs. paid ChatGPT accounts (features, context limits, model versions). - Navigate the ChatGPT interface—chat threads, model selection, history. - Explore basic conversational workflows: asking questions, iterative follow-ups, renaming chats. - Discuss compute demands, service availability, and when login is required. ### Session 3: Prompt Engineering & Best Practices in ChatGPT - Craft clear, context-rich prompts to guide responses. - Use system messages and role-playing to shape tone and output. - Leverage examples, constraints, and step-by-step prompts for precise results. - Recognize and mitigate AI “hallucinations” through verification and feedback loops. ### Session 4: Advanced ChatGPT Features & Business Use Cases - Work with ChatGPT’s memory and context limits for multi-turn workflows. - Incorporate browsing, file uploads, and external data (where available). - Automate common business tasks: summarizing documents, drafting emails, generating ideas. - Integrate ChatGPT outputs into existing tools and processes. ### Session 5: Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot - Outline Copilot account tiers (free, Pro, Microsoft 365 Copilot) and their pricing. - Differentiate ChatGPT vs. Copilot (product branding, release cadence, integration). - Understand “web” vs. “work” tabs: browsing the public web vs. accessing Microsoft Graph data. - Review privacy and security: Copilot’s handling of corporate data and compliance. ### Session 6: Copilot in Word, Excel & PowerPoint - Use Copilot to draft, refine, and edit documents in Word. - Generate formulas, analyze data, and build charts in Excel via natural-language requests. - Auto-create slide decks, speaker notes, and design suggestions in PowerPoint. - Streamline repetitive formatting and layout tasks across Microsoft 365 apps. ### Session 7: Copilot in Outlook, Teams & OneDrive - Summarize and respond to email threads in Outlook with Copilot. - Draft meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up messages in Teams chats and channels. - Search, organize, and query files on OneDrive using natural-language prompts. - Combine Copilot with Microsoft 365 workflows for end-to-end productivity gains. ### Session 8: Capstone Project & Next Steps - Define a real-world business scenario to solve with ChatGPT and/or Copilot. - Design and test prompt-based workflows, integrating outputs into chosen tools. - Prepare a brief demonstration and share lessons learned (benefits, limitations). - Discuss the roadmap for scaling AI adoption, governance, and continuous improvement. ## Instructors ### Dan Rodney — School Director, Instructor, & Senior Course Developer Dan Rodney has been a designer and web developer for over 20 years, creating coursework and leading innovative training initiatives at Noble Desktop. He teaches courses covering Figma, HTML & CSS, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Power BI. Dan has also been at the forefront of integrating AI into design and business workflows, spearheading Noble Desktop’s latest AI course offerings. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, he writes custom scripts for InDesign (Make Book Jacket, Proper Fraction Pro, and more) and works with automation and AI-driven tools in his free time. You can find Dan on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and at danrodney.com. Learn more about [Dan Rodney's](/dan-rodney) background and expertise. ### Garfield Stinvil — Senior Instructor Garfield is an experienced software trainer with over 16 years of real-world professional experience. He started as a data analyst with a Wall Street real estate investment company & continued working in the professional development department at New York Road Runners Organization before working at Noble. He enjoys bringing humor to whatever he teaches and loves conveying ideas in novel ways that help others learn more efficiently. Since starting his professional training career in 2016, he has worked with several corporate clients including Adobe, HBO, Amazon, Yelp, Mitsubishi, WeWork, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, and Hermès. Outside of work, his hobbies include rescuing & archiving at-risk artistic online media using his database management skills. ### Mourad Kattan — Program Director & Instructor Mourad Kattan is an instructor and Program Director of Business, Finance, & Excel at Noble Desktop, teaching classes and designing courses in Excel, finance, accounting, and financial modeling. Before Noble Desktop, Mourad worked as a financial analyst at Credit Suisse and H/2 Capital Partners. In those positions, he used advanced analytical and financial skills to evaluate a variety of investments. Mourad graduated from the University of Pennsylvania summa cum laude and is part of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Learn more about [Mourad Kattan's](/mourad-kattan) background and expertise. ### Christophe Drayton — Instructor Christophe is the instructor for the UX & UI Design Certificate, Figma Advanced, and Generative AI courses at Noble Desktop, and the founder and Chief Design Officer of Kaaiind, which specializes in Applied Artificial Intelligence in the Creative field. With over 20 years in Branding, UX Design, and Accessibility across Europe and the US, Christophe has positively impacted the digital experience of a large spectrum of companies, ranging from big data to startups, government entities to nonprofits, both in the private and public sectors. As an Educator, Christophe has led transformative and award-winning UX programs at Thinkful, the City University of New York (CUNY), and the Brooklyn Public Library, which have opened doors for underrepresented groups in tech who have secured roles at top companies like Google, Uber, Citi, and IBM. Most recently, he has developed innovative curricula about AI in the workplace for the University of Phoenix, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera. Today, he focuses on developing Allie, one of the first AI-powered, patent-pending color-blind safe and WCAG-compliant design system generator, while concluding his 5-year fundamental research on color vision deficiencies in digital environments. Christophe believes in hands-on, practical application of human-centered strategy and ethical and inclusive design. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge to inspire and empower the next generation of designers, especially those entering the field through nontraditional paths. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $549