Introduction to AI for Business
Date: Thursday, 17th September 2026
Time: 08:30 - 13:00
Location: Durham Cricket, Durham Cricket Chester-le-Street Durham DH3 3QR
Cost: Free

This practical workshop is designed for business owners, managers and employees who want to understand AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future technology. It is already helping businesses save time, improve productivity, create content, analyse information and streamline everyday tasks.
This practical workshop is designed for business owners, managers and employees who want to understand AI, explore the most popular AI platforms available today and learn how to use AI safely, effectively and responsibly within their organisation.
Whether you're completely new to AI or have experimented with tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Gemini, this session will provide a clear introduction to how AI works, where it can add value, and the common mistakes to avoid.
Through demonstrations, discussions and practical exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience creating effective prompts, evaluating AI-generated outputs and identifying opportunities to use AI within their own business.
No technical knowledge is required, if you consider yourself a daily user of AI for your business this workshop may not be suitable for you.
What We'll Cover
- Understanding AI
- What Artificial Intelligence actually is
- Common AI terminology explained in plain English
- Different types of AI and how they are used today
- AI myths, misconceptions and limitations
Exploring AI Platforms
- ChatGPT
- Microsoft Copilot
- Google Gemini
- Claude
- AI image generation tools
- Other AI tools worth exploring
Prompting Fundamentals
- How to write effective prompts
- The anatomy of a great prompt
- Improving and refining AI responses
- Practical prompt examples for business tasks
Responsible AI Use
- What information should never be entered into AI tools
- Data protection and confidentiality considerations
- Understanding AI errors and hallucinations
- Reviewing and validating AI-generated content
- Developing good AI habits within your organisation
- Practical Business Applications
- Content creation and marketing
- Research and information gathering
- Business planning and strategy
- Customer service support
- Administration and productivity
- Data analysis and reporting
- Interactive Activities
Throughout the workshop, participants will:
- Explore real business AI use cases
- Identify areas within their organisation where AI could help
- Practise using AI prompts and refine responses
- Compare outputs from different AI platforms
- Discuss opportunities, concerns and risks of AI adoption
- Create an individual AI action plan
What You'll Get
- Practical understanding of AI and how it works
- A comparison of leading AI tools and platforms
- A prompt guide packed with reusable examples
- Hands-on experience using AI tools
- Frameworks for identifying AI opportunities in your business
- Guidance on responsible and secure AI use
- Confidence to start using AI in day-to-day work
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal if:
- You are curious about AI but do not know where to start
- You want practical guidance rather than technical jargon
- You have heard about AI but are unsure which platform to use
- You want to understand the risks and opportunities of AI
- You are looking for ways to save time and improve productivity
- You want to introduce AI into your business responsibly
Spaces are limited
This is a highly interactive session with limited capacity to ensure maximum value for attendees. Early booking is recommended.
Book your place now and discover how your business can improve performance and productivity in just one session.
PLEASE NOTE: businesses need to be registered with the Durham Growth Programme prior to attending. A link is below for registration, therefore ONLY businesses based in County Durham are able to attend this fully funded workshop.
Durham Business Growth and Productivity Programme is a comprehensive initiative designed to elevate productivity and foster growth within businesses located in County Durham. Being part of the programme allows you access to workshops.
For businesses in County Durham, the benefits of engaging with the Durham Business Growth programme are manifold. Through its dedicated initiatives, the fund offers access to financial resources, expert guidance, and networking opportunities that can fuel growth and expansion. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established company.
