AI Certification Course
Sept. 30, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 7, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 14, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 21, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Register now for Hands-on AI Learning this Fall!
Empower your workforce with essential AI literacy through this introductory certification course designed to equip business leaders and employees with the knowledge to navigate and leverage AI confidently in today’s digital economy. From strategy to execution, this course builds a foundational understanding that transforms curiosity into actionable insight.
These courses are taught by professors and industry leaders from the Iowa Initiative for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Iowa.
Interested in the course but need help convincing your boss? Use this email as a template!

Date & Time
Sept. 30, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 7, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 14, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
October 21, 2026 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location
Have Questions?

Courses

HawkAI-C1: ChatGPT, Copilot, and Beyond
Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Course Description:
- Dive into the AI technologies powering ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and more in this engaging 2-hour workshop on Large Language Models (LLMs). In this course—designed for everyone, regardless of technical background—you will gain a high-level intuition of how LLMs work and explore their wide-ranging applications across various fields.
- Through user-friendly demonstrations and examples, you’ll learn practical techniques for effective communication with LLMs, from basic prompt crafting strategies to prompt engineering. This workshop equips you with accessible knowledge and skills to leverage these AI tools, enhancing your productivity, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities in your daily work or studies.
- Whether you’re a business owner, c-suite, manager, administrator, entry-level, or simply curious about AI, you’ll discover practical ways to integrate these powerful tools into your workflows. Join us to unlock the potential of Large Language Models and stay at the forefront of the AI revolution—no specialized knowledge required!
About Professor Tyler Bell:
Tyler Bell is an Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Iowa. He received the Ph.D. degree from Purdue University. Professor Bell’s research expertise is in the areas of generative artificial intelligence, high-speed–high-resolution 3D imaging, virtual and augmented reality, multimedia on mobile devices, and human computer interaction. He has a wealth of experience of developing artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications to enable multidisciplinary research projects, especially those involving educational, engineering, computer-human interaction, and productivity increasing projects. Professor Bell regularly teaches AI/ML courses to the University of Iowa students. He has received the Collegiate Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching.

HawkAI-C2-1 & 2: Hands-on Generative AI for Business
Assistant Professor of Management
Course Description:
- Take your AI skills to the next level in this hands-on, 4-hour workshop broken into two parts, designed to showcase the practical applications of Large Language Models (LLMs) in business and industry settings. We will explore the potential of AI through two complementary lenses: immediate, practical application and long-term strategic integration.
- First, you will get hands-on experience with generative AI tools – like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Notebook LM – that can streamline operations, enhance productivity, and improve communication across business functions, such as management, marketing & sales, and human resources. Then, we will consider the bigger picture: How should organizations evaluate opportunities and risks as AI becomes more integrated into strategy and operations? What questions should leaders ask to understand whether an AI tool truly fits their business model? How might AI shift the way profit is generated in their organization?
- You will leave with a clear understanding of what AI can do today, how it fits into your organization’s strategy, and how to guide responsible adoption that delivers sustained value. No coding experience necessary – just bring your industry knowledge and curiosity.
About Professor Marketa Rickley:
Marketa Rickley is an Assistant Professor of Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict cultural intelligence and leadership emergence in teams. Dr. Rickley teaches AI-in-Business and strategic management courses, and she is a recipient of the UNC Greensboro Bryan School of Business and Economics Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Rickley previously worked for two global financial firms. She holds a PhD in Management from Boston University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Iowa.

HawkAI-C3: Data-Driven Analytics with AI - Classification and Prediction
University of Iowa Professor
Course Description:
- This workshop focuses on data-driven analytical approaches enabled by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML). Analytical AI/ML approaches are fundamentally different from those used by generative AI (topics of previous workshops).
- Analytical AI/ML allows companies to use quantitative data (numerical or categorical) to forecast trends, make predictions, and inform data-driven decisions. Such functionalities are frequently invaluable to companies but in contrast to the use of generative AI, typically require company-specific development via collaboration of company-representatives with AI/ML experts.
- This course will focus on offering an insight in the classifier/predictor functionality based on explanation how these are used in solving everyday problems. Case studies of real-world use will be demonstrated on practical examples, will inform what are the necessary starting points to any such project, what the company-level expectations may be, what are the typical pitfalls, and what the development ana maintenance cycle would be for such applications.
- The main goal is to provide the attendees with a sufficiently comprehensive level of analytical-AI/ML understanding to select, initiate and conduct analytical AI/ML collaborative activities. No computational and no AI/ML background required.
About Professor Milan Sonka:
Milan Sonka is the University of Iowa Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Radiation Oncology, Co-director of the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging, Director of the Iowa Initiative for Artificial Intelligence, IEEE Fellow, AIMBE Fellow, MICCAI Fellow, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and Fulbright Specialist. His research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and knowledge-based medical image analysis. His data-driven analysis approaches typically benefit from a combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning. To bring results of his research work to clinical practice, he has co-founded two medical imaging companies — Medical Imaging Applications LLC and VIDA Diagnostics Inc.
FAQs
When and where is the AI Certification?
The certification courses are fully virtual. Registered participants will receive a link to join the classes each week.
What is included in the ticket price for the course?
Access to all virtual classes, instructors, and materials.
When does registration end?
Registration for the Fall session ends on Friday, Sept. 25.
Will I receive a physical certificate for completing the course?
Yes! Certificates will be mailed out to those that have attended all three online courses and completed any required coursework.
Please expect 7-14 business days following the final course to receive certificates.
