Week 1 4364

 Hi, my name is Aidan Werth. I am a business analytics major at the Lisle campus. I am a senior and have concluded my basketball career here about a month ago. This is my 3rd BALT class taken relating to AI, ChatGPT, and dealing with some Python as well. I have taken away many great lessons, but the biggest thing I have learned is how important it is to use AI to your advantage. Companies are implementing AI in many different aspects of how they complete work. The biggest worry is that AI is going to replace many jobs. While this is somewhat true, there is also some falsity to it. AI is replacing some jobs, and it is beneficial to companies because of how efficient and accurate it is. The falsity to it is though that while it is replacing jobs, it is also creating many jobs too. This is why it is so important to have knowledge about AI and learning how to manipulate it and use it your advantage. Overall, I am excited to learn more about AI and tools on how to use it to my advantage.

Week 8 ChatGPT post

 Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming one of the most important technologies in the world. AI is already being used in many different industries, and its influence continues to grow every year. From businesses to schools to everyday life, AI is changing how people work, learn, and solve problems.

One way AI is changing the world is by making work more efficient. Many companies are now using AI tools to complete tasks faster and with fewer mistakes. AI can help analyze data, answer questions, organize information, and automate repetitive tasks. This allows employees to focus more on important work such as problem solving and decision making instead of spending time on routine tasks.

AI is also changing how people learn and find information. Tools like AI chatbots can explain difficult topics, summarize articles, and help people understand new concepts. Students can use AI to study more efficiently, while businesses can use it to improve communication and productivity. Because AI can process large amounts of information quickly, it helps people access knowledge faster than ever before.

Another reason AI is important is because it continues to grow and improve. Many industries are investing heavily in AI technology, which means it will likely become an even bigger part of everyday life in the future. Jobs are also starting to change as companies adopt more automation and AI tools.

Because of this, it is important for people to understand how AI works. Learning about AI helps people use these tools effectively and prepare for how technology will shape the future. Those who understand AI will likely have an advantage in school, business, and many careers.

Overall, AI is transforming the world in many ways. It is improving efficiency, changing how people work and learn, and creating new opportunities across many industries. As AI continues to develop, understanding how it works will become an important skill for everyone.

Week 8

 Throughout this class I have learned many things about artificial intelligence and automation. The one biggest takeaway I have is that AI is just like any new technology. New technologies are beneficial to people and make things more efficient even if that means getting rid of some ways and jobs from the past. The biggest thing I'll take away is that it is so important to have a good understanding of AI because that understanding opens up so many new pathways with the way AI is changing things in the world. While some worry about it replacing jobs, I am going to use it in a way to create opportunities for myself and not let it take away opportunities from me.

I started experimenting with AI by making my own bots. I created a chatbot using Poe and also tried making one in ChatGPT. This helped me understand how AI works and how important it is to give clear instructions. When you build a bot, you have to think about what you want it to talk about and how it should answer questions.

Using these bots has also helped me get things done more efficiently in my daily life. I use AI tools to help with school assignments, writing, and understanding difficult topics. Instead of spending a lot of time searching for information, AI can explain things quickly or summarize readings for me. This helps me finish tasks faster and focus more on learning the material.

Overall, it has so many benefits and I think I have a decent understanding of its capabilities and how I can use it in my own life for my own benefit.

Week 7 GPT Post

 Creating your own bots in ChatGPT can be very useful and is easier than many people think. A custom bot is an AI tool that you design to focus on a specific topic or task. Instead of using a general chatbot for everything, you can build a bot that is trained to help with exactly what you need.

One major advantage of making your own bot is that it can save a lot of time. When you create a bot with clear instructions, it already understands the type of information you want. For example, someone could make a bot that helps with homework, business strategy, sports statistics, or writing tasks. This allows users to get more direct answers without needing to explain the same instructions every time.

Another advantage is customization. When you build a bot, you control how it responds and what topics it focuses on. You can decide whether the bot gives short answers, detailed explanations, or step-by-step help. Because of this, the bot can be designed for a specific purpose, such as helping students understand finance concepts or analyzing basketball statistics.

Creating your own bot can also help you better understand how artificial intelligence works. While building the bot, you learn how instructions and prompts influence the responses the AI generates. This helps people become better at using AI tools in school, business, and everyday tasks.

Overall, building your own bots in ChatGPT is a valuable skill. It allows you to create tools that are tailored to your needs, improve efficiency, and make it easier to find useful information. As AI technology continues to grow, the ability to design and use custom bots will likely become an important skill in many fields.

Week 7

 I play college basketball, so the sport is a big part of my life. Because of that, I thought it would be cool to make a chatbot about basketball. I wanted to create something that could answer questions about the game and help people learn more about basketball.

The bot I made can answer questions about players, teams, and basic basketball topics. Someone could ask it about player stats, how a team is doing, or what certain basketball terms mean. The goal was to keep the answers simple so anyone could understand them.

Making the bot was easier than I expected. I just had to give it instructions about what it should talk about and how it should respond. I also made sure it explained things in a simple way so the answers were clear and easy to read.

Overall, making the basketball bot was a fun experience. It showed me how AI can be used to create tools around things people enjoy, like sports. Since basketball is something I care about, it made the project even more interesting. In the future, I would like to add more features to the bot, like better player analysis and game predictions.

Week 6 ChatGPT on Poe

 Poe is an AI platform that lets people talk to different AI models and even create their own chatbots. One of the biggest perks of Poe is that it gives users access to multiple AI tools in one place. Instead of needing several different apps, Poe allows you to switch between different AI models depending on what you need help with.

Another benefit of Poe is the ability to create custom chatbots. Users can design bots with their own instructions and choose how they want the bot to respond. This makes it useful for things like studying, writing help, or even just creating fun bots to talk with.

Poe also makes it easy to test and improve the bots you create. If the chatbot is not responding the way you want, you can go back and adjust the instructions. This allows users to experiment and learn how to make their bots better over time.

Another perk of Poe is that it is very user friendly. The platform is simple to navigate, so even people who do not have much experience with AI can still use it. This makes it a good place for beginners who want to learn about chatbots and artificial intelligence without needing to know how to code.

Poe can also be helpful for everyday tasks. People can use it to get help with homework, generate writing ideas, answer questions, or learn about new topics. Overall, Poe has several useful perks for people interested in AI and makes it easy for anyone to start exploring what AI tools can do.

Week 6 My experience with Poe

 I recently tried making a chatbot using Poe, and it was a lot easier than I expected. At first I thought it would be complicated, but Poe made the process pretty simple and easy to follow. All I had to do was decide what I wanted my chatbot to do and then write some instructions for how it should respond to people.

When creating the bot, I told it how I wanted it to act and what kind of answers it should give. The instructions basically guide the chatbot so it knows how to respond when someone asks it something. For example, you can tell the bot to give simple explanations, stay focused on a certain topic, or respond in a friendly tone. After setting it up, I tested it by asking it different questions to see how well it worked and if it followed the instructions I gave it.

Overall, making a chatbot with Poe was a really cool experience. It helped me understand more about how AI chatbots work and how important clear instructions are when building one. Even though I do not have much coding experience, I was still able to create a chatbot that actually worked and could respond to questions. It was a good way to learn more about AI and how these tools can be used.

Week 5 ChatGPT post about Prompt Engineering

 

Prompt Engineering: What It Is and Why It Matters

In today’s world of artificial intelligence, tools like ChatGPT have become part of everyday life. Students use them to study, businesses use them to analyze data, and creators use them to write content. But behind every strong AI response is something most people don’t think about: the prompt. Prompt engineering is the skill of designing clear, effective instructions that guide AI systems to produce accurate and useful results. As AI becomes more powerful, knowing how to communicate with it properly is becoming an essential skill.

What Is Prompt Engineering?

Prompt engineering is the process of carefully crafting the input given to an AI model in order to get the best possible output. A prompt can be a question, a command, or a detailed instruction. The way the prompt is written directly influences the quality, accuracy, and tone of the response.

For example, asking an AI to “Explain marketing” will produce a general answer. However, asking it to “Explain digital marketing in simple terms for a high school student and provide three real-world examples” will produce a much more specific and useful response. The difference is not the AI’s intelligence — it is the clarity and structure of the prompt.

Why Prompt Engineering Is Important

AI systems do not think like humans. They do not understand meaning in the same way people do. Instead, they recognize patterns in data and generate responses based on probability. Because of this, vague prompts often lead to vague answers. Clear, detailed prompts reduce confusion and increase the likelihood of getting high-quality results.

Prompt engineering is important because it:

• Improves accuracy

• Saves time by reducing the need for revisions

• Produces more structured and organized outputs

• Allows users to control tone, format, and depth

In business, strong prompts can help generate reports, analyze trends, draft emails, and even assist with coding. In education, they can break down complex topics into simpler explanations or create practice questions for exams.

Key Elements of a Strong Prompt

Effective prompts usually include several important elements:

1. Clear Instructions
The AI needs to know exactly what task to perform. Ambiguous language leads to unclear results.

2. Context
Providing background information helps the AI tailor its response. For example, specifying the audience or purpose improves relevance.

3. Format Requirements
If you want bullet points, a paragraph, a table, or a step-by-step guide, you should state that clearly.

4. Constraints
Setting limits such as word count, tone, or level of difficulty gives the AI boundaries to work within.

The more structured the prompt, the more structured the output tends to be.

Types of Prompting Techniques

There are several common techniques used in prompt engineering:

• Instruction-based prompting: Directly telling the AI what to do.

• Role prompting: Assigning the AI a role, such as “Act as a marketing consultant.”

• Step-by-step prompting: Asking the AI to break down reasoning into steps.

• Few-shot prompting: Providing examples of the desired output before requesting a new response.

These methods help guide the AI toward more precise and relevant answers.

The Future of Prompt Engineering

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, prompt engineering is becoming a valuable digital literacy skill. Professionals in marketing, finance, programming, healthcare, and education are learning how to design better prompts to improve productivity and decision-making.

In the future, prompt engineering may become as fundamental as knowing how to search the internet effectively. The ability to clearly communicate instructions to AI systems will separate casual users from power users.

Conclusion

Prompt engineering is more than just asking a question — it is the art of communicating clearly with artificial intelligence. By structuring instructions carefully, providing context, and setting clear expectations, users can significantly improve the quality of AI-generated responses. As AI tools become more integrated into daily life, mastering prompt engineering will be an essential skill for working smarter and more efficiently in a technology-driven world.

Week 5 Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is learning how to ask ChatGPT better questions, so you get better answers. I’ve noticed that when I ask something simple and short, I usually get a basic response. But when I give clear directions and explain exactly what I want, the answer is way more useful. For example, instead of saying “What is automation?”, I might say, “Explain automation in simple terms for a college student, give two real-world examples, and keep it under one paragraph.” That gives ChatGPT more guidance, so the response fits what I actually need.

Since I have a ChatGPT Plus subscription, I’ve been able to really practice this. As a college student balancing finance, analytics, and strategy classes, I use prompt engineering to get responses that match exactly what my professors want. I’ll ask for things in paragraph form, request simpler explanations, or tell it to make something more formal. Sometimes I’ll even ask it to rewrite something multiple times until it fits the assignment perfectly. I have learned that the more specific I am and the more I guide AI with better prompts and wording the better answers I get which in turn leads to more success for me for whatever task I'm trying to complete.

In the end, prompt engineering has shown me that using ChatGPT isn’t just about asking questions, it’s about learning how to communicate clearly and think critically about what you need. The more specific I am with my prompts, the better and more tailored the results become. It has helped me save time, improve my assignments, and better understand complex topics. Overall, prompt engineering has turned ChatGPT from a simple tool into something I can strategically use to support my learning and productivity.

Week 4 ChatGPT post ch. 7/8

 Automation is rapidly changing the workforce, and Chapters 7 and 8 explore both the human and ethical sides of this transformation. As technologies like ChatGPT and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) take over repetitive and rule-based tasks, employee roles are evolving. Some jobs may be reduced or eliminated, especially those focused on predictable tasks, but automation also creates new opportunities. Roles are shifting toward higher-level thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and oversight of intelligent systems. At the same time, entirely new career paths are emerging in AI development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and automation management. The impact is not simply job loss or job growth — it is job transformation.

Because of this shift, organizations must actively invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforce. Companies need to identify skill gaps, provide ongoing training, and create clear career pathways that help employees transition into more advanced roles. A growth mindset is essential; workers must see learning as continuous rather than optional. Partnerships with universities, industry groups, and training institutions can strengthen these efforts. The debate around automation remains divided: some argue it increases productivity and creates new industries, while others warn of unemployment and inequality. A balanced perspective recognizes that automation brings both disruption and opportunity, and success depends on preparation rather than resistance.

Beyond workforce impact, Chapter 8 highlights the ethical responsibilities tied to automation. AI systems can unintentionally introduce bias, threaten privacy, or create accountability challenges when errors occur. Organizations must design systems with fairness, transparency, and security in mind. Human oversight remains critical to ensure responsible decision-making. Emerging trends such as explainable AI, human-AI collaboration, ethical certification standards, and stronger regulatory frameworks will shape the future of responsible automation. Ultimately, automation’s long-term success depends not only on efficiency gains, but on thoughtful governance, continuous monitoring, and a commitment to aligning technological progress with human values.

Week 4 Barriers to AI's success/ Ch 7/8

AI has had a lot of success since it has become widespread across the world, and many companies realize the potential for growth and impact it can have on their companies. A survey done by Forrester stated that a little more than 60 percent of companies consider AI very important to their strategy and room for future growth. The same 60 percent of companies plan to invest more in AI up to 10 percent in the next 12 months. More than half the companies have seen the AI technology enhance their customer experiences and help with product development. The article did state that roadblocks are still there which make companies a little unsure of the new technology. Some of these include things like biases and hallucinations which occur within the technology. AI could increase global profits up to almost 5 trillion dollars for companies and that is why these companies are so invested in it despite the barriers. This article was written in 2024; AI has become even more prominent since then and there is no telling how much more profits it can bring companies globally.

Chapter 7 talks about job displacement and the extinction of some jobs. This takes place when AI can complete jobs better and more efficiently than humans. There are many jobs where this at risk of happening and companies won't shy away from it because it can help them majorly in different areas of the business. Chapter 7 also talks about how jobs may evolve because of AI. Just because one job may be taken away it could evolve into different role for the employee. One which requires critical thinking that AI can't replicate. And as stated in a previous post made by me AI can also create many jobs for people. This takes away from some of the stress and worry about jobs being replaced because it is creating jobs as well. It also proves the point that it is critical to have a good understanding of AI and how it works.

Chapter 8 talks about some of the ethical concerns of the implementation of AI within companies. Some of these include the factor of job displacement which has many people worried. Another factor is the bias that occurs within AI. These biases can be eliminated by changing and enhancing algorithms, so this doesn't occur. These are just a few of the ethical concerns and is crucial we take these into account with how prominent AI is becoming.

Week 3 ChatGpt ch. 5 and 6

 

The Intelligent Enterprise: Turning Automation Strategy into Scalable Impact

Chapters 5 and 6 move beyond the basic idea of automation and focus on something more strategic: how organizations can systematically identify high-value automation opportunities and deploy AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and RPA in a way that drives measurable transformation. The emphasis is not just on technology adoption, but on disciplined selection, intelligent prioritization, and sustainable scaling.

Chapter 5 begins with opportunity identification. High-performing organizations do not automate randomly; they use structured evaluation methods. Task analysis isolates repetitive, rule-based, and error-prone activities. Employee feedback surfaces friction points that data alone may miss. Process mapping exposes redundancies and decision bottlenecks, while data analysis highlights inefficiencies at scale. Together, these methods create a clear automation pipeline built on evidence rather than assumptions.

Prioritization is equally critical. Not every automation initiative deserves investment. Projects should be evaluated through return on investment, operational impact, scalability, and risk exposure. The most strategic initiatives are those that generate compounding value — solutions that can expand across departments, reduce systemic inefficiencies, and enhance workforce productivity. Automation should be viewed as a portfolio decision, not a one-off improvement.

The chapter also outlines structured implementation frameworks for both ChatGPT and RPA. ChatGPT functions as a cognitive layer within the enterprise, augmenting communication-heavy workflows such as customer service, HR support, knowledge management, and internal operations. Successful deployment requires clear scope definition, governance structures, integration planning, employee enablement, and continuous performance monitoring.

RPA, in contrast, operates as the execution layer. It automates deterministic, rule-based digital tasks such as data entry, invoice processing, system updates, and transaction handling. Effective RPA deployment depends on detailed process mapping, tool selection aligned with scalability needs, rigorous testing, and controlled rollout strategies. Governance and measurable performance metrics ensure long-term sustainability.

Chapter 6 elevates the discussion by focusing on best practices and real-world application. The integration of generative AI and robotic automation represents a shift toward intelligent automation ecosystems. ChatGPT handles contextual reasoning, language generation, and dynamic decision support. RPA executes structured workflows with speed and precision. Together, they create a hybrid model of automation that blends cognition and execution.

However, technological capability alone does not guarantee success. Strategic alignment with business objectives is foundational. Data security, regulatory compliance, and enterprise governance frameworks must be embedded from the outset. Cross-functional collaboration between IT and business units ensures integration resilience, while workforce training drives adoption and cultural alignment. Intelligent automation is as much an organizational change initiative as it is a technological one.

The case scenarios reinforce a clear conclusion: when implemented strategically, the convergence of ChatGPT and RPA enhances operational agility, reduces cost structures, accelerates service delivery, and elevates decision-making quality. Telecommunications firms improve customer responsiveness, financial institutions modernize HR operations, and manufacturers optimize supply chains through predictive insights and automated execution.

Ultimately, Chapters 5 and 6 present a blueprint for the AI-enabled enterprise. The future of automation is not about replacing human capability — it is about amplifying it. Organizations that treat automation as a strategic discipline, governed by data, aligned with business goals, and designed for scalability, will build resilient systems capable of adapting to continuous technological evolution.

Week 3 Ch. 5/6

 Chapters 5 and 6 explain how businesses can find good tasks to automate and how to successfully use tools like ChatGPT and RPA. The basic idea is simple: look for work that is repetitive, takes a lot of time, and often leads to mistakes. Companies can talk to employees, review their data, and map out their processes to see where automation would help the most. After that, they should choose projects that save money, improve productivity, help employees feel less stressed, and do not create too much risk.

Chapter 5 explains that using ChatGPT and RPA requires a clear and simple plan. Businesses need to set clear goals, pick the right tools, train employees, test everything, and keep checking that it works properly. ChatGPT helps with language tasks like answering customer questions or writing messages. RPA helps with basic computer tasks like entering data or processing forms.

Chapter 6 focuses on best practices. Automation works best when it supports the company’s goals, keeps data secure, and encourages teamwork between IT and other departments. Training employees is also important so they feel comfortable using the new tools. Real examples show that when ChatGPT and RPA are used together, companies can save money, work faster, and improve both customer and employee satisfaction. The main takeaway is to start small, plan carefully, and keep improving over time.