Transforming Non-Techies into Tech Innovators

Busting the myth that only coding experts can create AI Tools, the pilot class for Conversational AI and Prompt Techniques proved to the participants that effective prompting can go a long way in Generative AI.

The two-day session, which concluded on 17 October, allowed nearly 30 participants to create their own AI Chatbot, design helpful AI tools, without having any coding expertise – all in one day. The class is part of the six-module Advanced Certificate in Generative AI, Ethics and Governance. 

The class, comprising mid to senior level executives, learnt how to use effective prompts for querying a Generative AI model such as Chatgpt for the output they desired. More than that, they used Straits Interactive’s proprietary soon-to-be-launched Capabara AI Assistant as a sandbox to develop their own AI tools. They also learned about how the prompt setup in the backend could affect the output of their tool, and the sandbox provided an environment that fostered experimentation and creativity. “The real world application, coupled with the theory behind it, was most helpful,” said Jennie Yap*, a course participant.

Course participant Andrew Chow was keen to create his AI tool. “We can accelerate our learning and customise to our own needs. Perhaps something done for another industry might be a blind spot for your own industry, and you might find it helpful,” he said. 

Empowering the AI Business Professional

“Don’t feel threatened by AI – you will free yourself when you gain control of it,” said Kevin Shepherdson, co-founder and CEO of Straits Interactive and lead trainer for the course, said. He was enthused about the diverse types of tools that participants created, including a Performance Appraisal tool, a Social Media Strategist, and a Training Proposal Generator. 

Participants also created chatbots that could respond to queries, uploading data sets on which their bot was trained. “The programmer is playing God in this context, because they are responsible for the data that is input into the model,” Kevin said, driving home the fact that a model is only as good as its training set, and also highlighting the value, ethics and constraints of Generative AI. 

Kevin emphasised, “You can’t take answers wholesale from ChatGPT or Bard. You will still need to verify the answers with your domain expertise, and that’s where humans are still very important.” 

The hands-on nature of the course allowed participants from diverse backgrounds to delve into the world of AI with a newfound confidence.

"I was skeptical at first that I would learn much because of my lack of coding knowledge, but the course structure made the journey remarkably smooth,” said Jillian See*, a course participant. “I was amazed that the AI tool I programmed with my team actually worked.”

With the demand for productivity and efficiency reaching new heights, the ability to harness the power of Generative AI and understanding of the potential applications of AI has become an indispensable skill for professionals across various industries. 

The Dawn of a New Career

The course doesn't just stop at imparting knowledge; it also paves the way for a new career trajectory. With  Prompt Engineering emerging as a new profession, graduates of this programme may have an advantage as businesseses increasingly integrate AI-driven solutions into their operations. The role of a Prompt Engineer is poised to become one of the most sought-after positions in the tech industry, as Generative AI’s evolving landscape brings about new jobs.

For more information and enrollment details to the Advanced Certificate in Generative AI, Ethics and Governance,  sign up at

https://www.dpexnetwork.org/data-protection-competency-roadmap/advanced-certificate-in-generative-ai-ethics-and-data-protection">https://www.dpexnetwork.org/data-protection-competency-roadmap/advanced-certificate-in-generative-ai-ethics-and-data-protection

To find out more about our Generative AI course offerings, sign up for a free course preview at  https://outreach.straitsinteractive.com/gen-ai-course/