Used in AGSM courses · Willamette University
AI tools don't operate in a vacuum — they work with files, folders, operating systems, and cloud services. This series gives students and professionals the grounding they need to interact confidently with those tools: uploading documents, reading file paths, understanding where data lives, and knowing what's happening under the hood.
Curious about the people and research behind this series? About this series →
Already have the basics?
Already comfortable with the basics? The overview page covers Modules 1–4 in a condensed format — enough to confirm you have the foundation needed to work effectively with AI tools. Cybersecurity (Module 5) is a substantial standalone module and is intentionally not included here.
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AI tools run on real machines. Understanding the difference between hardware and software — CPU, RAM, storage, GPU — helps you make sense of why a model runs slowly, why your device struggles with certain tasks, and what IT means when something needs a fix.
AI tools are software, and software runs on an operating system. Knowing whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux — and what version — matters when installing AI applications, running local models, and troubleshooting compatibility issues.
Nearly every AI interaction involves a file. Understanding file paths, extensions, data types, structured vs. unstructured data, and how to clean a dataset before uploading it — these are the skills that make the difference between useful AI output and garbage.
Almost every AI tool is a cloud service — but not all of them. Understanding URLs, APIs, cloud sync, and the crucial distinction between cloud-based and local AI tools makes you a more effective and security-conscious collaborator.
AI tools introduce new attack surfaces — prompt injection, data leakage, oversharing sensitive documents with cloud models, and shadow IT risks. This standalone module builds the security awareness needed to use AI responsibly.
Who this is for
Starting coursework or a job that involves AI tools and need the tech foundation to actually use them — not just talk about them.
AI tools live and die by the inputs you give them. Knowing how to find, format, and share files means you can put the right data in front of a model every time.
Most AI tools are cloud services. Understanding how the internet, APIs, and sync work helps you integrate AI into real tasks.
Cybersecurity matters more, not less, when AI is involved. The standalone security module covers what data is safe to share with a model — and what isn't.