LLMs Unplugged: A tech-free guide to understanding and teaching AI

LLMs Unplugged: A tech-free guide to understanding and teaching AI 

Despite the rapid uptake of AI around the globe (including right here in Australia), most people have no real mental model of what’s actually happening under the hood of our most popular AI tools. Rather than accepting the hand-wave-y and mystical-sounding explanations, join us in this fun and informative workshop where you'll learn about Large Language Models - the technology behind the mind-boggling abilities of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Co-Pilot - without actually touching any tech. 

In this session, you'll peek inside the black box by creating your own paper-and-pen language model in a playful context. We will illustrate the core concepts that underpin today’s Large Language Models (LLMs) and discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of generative AI in an education setting.  

This workshop is perfect for upper primary and secondary educators across a range of disciplines – not just the technologies. If you’re having conversations with your students about AI, this workshop is for you. 

Our activities require zero coding background and no maths beyond basic counting and percentages. They can be easily replicated in the classroom with free and readily available materials. This workshop relates to core curriculum outcomes in maths, technologies, HASS and literacy.