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Workshop: Unlocking Lateral Thinking, Innovation, and Critical Problem-Solving with Prompt Engineering

Available in these formats:

Online Course (In Development)

Streaming Workshop

On-ground Workshop

Course Overview: 

This course is designed for individuals seeking to elevate their cognitive abilities in an AI-driven world. You'll learn to harness the power of artificial intelligence, specifically through advanced prompt engineering techniques, to stimulate creativity, challenge assumptions, deepen analysis, and find innovative solutions to complex problems. This isn't just about using AI; it's about making AI a powerful extension of your own mind.

Course Syllabus

Section 1: The AI Mindset - Foundations for Enhanced Cognition

Introduction to AI for Cognitive Enhancement

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    identify various AI types and articulate the role of GenAI as a cognitive tool
  • 5
    describe the importance of human engagement in the Human-AI collaboration
  • 5
    demonstrate fundamental skills of prompt engineering

Lesson 1: What is AI (and What it Isn't) for Thinking?

Lesson 2: The Human-AI Collaboration Paradigm

Lesson 3: Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Your Command Center

Understanding Core Cognitive Skills

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    identify the key elements of critical thinking.
  • 5
    apply lateral thinking to problem-solving
  • 5
    demonstrate innovative problem-solving

Lesson 4: Deconstructing Critical Thinking: Beyond Surface Level

Lesson 5: Lateral Thinking: The Art of Thinking Sideways

Lesson 6: Innovation & Problem-Solving: From Idea to Solution

Section 2: Prompt Engineering for Critical Thinking

Analytical & Evaluative Prompting

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    perform detailed analysis of information and arguments using GenAI
  • 5
    rigorously test ideas and identify potential flaws using GenAI
  • 5
    critically evaluate GenAI output

Lesson 7: The "Deconstruct and Analyze" Prompt Pattern

Lesson 8: The "Devil's Advocate" & "Counter-Argument" Prompt

Lesson 9: Evidence-Based Reasoning and Fact-Checking with AI

Synthesis & Inference Prompting

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    synthesize diverse information into a cohesive narrative using GenAI
  • 5
    draw inferences and predict potential consequences using GenAI
  • 5
    use structured prompting to enhance AI's reasoning capabilities

Lesson 10: The "Synthesize Multiple Perspectives" Prompt

Lesson 11: The "Infer Implications & Consequences" Prompt

Lesson 12: Structured Inquiry: Chain-of-Thought & Tree-of-Thought Prompting

Section 3: Prompt Engineering for Lateral Thinking & Innovation

Challenging Assumptions & Reframing Problems

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    use GenAI to challenge hidden assumptions that hinder innovation
  • 5
    use GenAI to explore problems from multiple, unconventional perspectives
  • 5
    use AI to reframe problems for innovative solutions.

Lesson 13: The "Assumption Detector" Prompt

Lesson 14: The "Perspective Shifter" Prompt

Lesson 15: Reframing Problems with AI

Idea Generation & Creative Synthesis

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    generate diverse and unconventional ideas through creative GenAI strategies
  • 5
    use GenAI to create and leverage provocations for breakthrough thinking
  • 5
    use AI as an intelligent brainstorming companion

Lesson 16: The "Random Association" & "SCAMPER" Prompt

Lesson 17: The "Provocation and Movement" Prompt

Lesson 18: AI as a Brainstorming Partner: Beyond Keywords

Section 4: Prompt Engineering for Practical Problem-Solving

Problem Definition & Root Cause Analysis

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    use GenAI to precisely define problems
  • 5
    employ AI to conduct structured root cause analysis

Lesson 19: Defining the Problem with Precision, using GenAI

Lesson 20: The "5 Whys" & "Ishikawa Diagram" using GenAI

Solution Generation & Evaluation

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    use GenAI to generate a comprehensive range of potential solutions
  • 5
    use Gen AI to evaluate solutions critically and assess associated risks
  • 5
    apply an iterative problem-solving process with AI feedback

Lesson 21: Generating Diverse Solution Pathways

Lesson 22: The "Pros & Cons" and "Risk Assessment" Prompt

Lesson 23: Iterative Problem-Solving using GenAI Feedback Loops

Section 5: Ethical Considerations & The Future of Augmented Cognition

Responsible AI Use for Thinking

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    identify limitations and potential pitfalls of AI for cognitive tasks
  • 5
    identify and discuss ethical concerns related to AI-augmented cognition

Lesson 24: Bias, Hallucinations, and Limitations of AI

Lesson 25: Ethical Implications of AI-Augmented Thinking

The Future of Human-AI Collaboration

Learning Objectives: upon successful completion the participant should be able to: 

  • 5
    develop strategies for integrating GenAI effectively into their personal and professional workflows
  • 5
    articulate a forward-looking perspective on the evolution of AI and its impact on human cognition

Lesson 26: Integrating AI into Your Workflow & Lifelong Learning

Lesson 27: The Evolving Landscape of AI & Human Cognition