In This Article
Gateway Technical College and Microsoft are offering a four-part, hands-on workshop series to help participants apply artificial intelligence to everyday tasks and work. Running from October 2026 through February 2027, the sessions cover AI basics, document workflows, simple AI-powered tools and presenting the value of an idea. A scholarship brings the price to $49 per workshop.
Key takeaways
The series pairs guided practice with practical applications, giving participants a chance to build projects rather than only study AI concepts.
- Four sessions run from October 28, 2026, to February 10, 2027.
- Each workshop costs $49 after a $150 Microsoft scholarship.
- Sessions take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at Gateway’s SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant.
- Each session is capped at 25 participants.
A sequence from AI basics to business value
The workshops are designed to build skills step by step. Participants begin by using plain-language prompts to create a basic web application, then move to turning existing information into useful summaries, briefs and plans. Later sessions focus on making simple AI-powered tools and explaining the value of an idea.
Gateway says participants will work directly with AI tools and complete activities and projects during each workshop. The college describes the series as an accessible way to learn without enrolling in academic courses.
Workshop dates and topics
All sessions are scheduled for Kopper Auditorium at Gateway’s SC Johnson iMET Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd. in Sturtevant. The schedule is:
- October 28, 2026: Build with AI: Your first working app.
- November 19, 2026: Put AI to work: Documents, notes and everyday tasks.
- January 27, 2027: Create with AI: Build a simple AI-powered tool.
- February 10, 2027: Turn AI into value: Make the case for your idea.
The first workshop introduces generative AI and prompt writing. The second explores using AI to transform existing materials. The third guides participants in building an AI-powered application without programming experience, while the final session centers on communicating the value of an AI idea.
Practical AI skills and enterprise data
The series reflects a broader business need: employees must understand where AI can help and how to turn experiments into repeatable, useful workflows. For enterprise teams, that work also depends on reliable data and reporting foundations. AI tools can assist with analysis and routine tasks, but clear, trusted data remains central to making sound decisions.
Spargent helps organizations build and improve Microsoft Fabric and Power BI environments, with a focus on faster reporting and measurable business outcomes. Hands-on AI education can complement that work by helping teams identify practical use cases and connect them to everyday operations.
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