AI For Beginners is AwesomeStPaul’s May 2026 grantee. Congratulations! We are very interested in learning how AI strategies can improve lives.

LaTasha Reed explains her project:

“I’m applying for an AwesomeStPaul $1,000 grant to launch a free, public AI workshop series in St. Paul focused on practical AI literacy, responsible use, and real-world applications for everyday residents, job seekers, and small business owners.

AI is everywhere, but many people are encountering it through hype, fear, or misinformation—not clear, trustworthy education. My goal is to give St. Paul participants a grounded, easy-to-understand introduction to what AI is, why it’s trending, who is using it (and why), and what to watch for—bias, privacy risks, misinformation, and legal/regulatory compliance. I’ll also cover the “so what”: how AI can responsibly support resumes, study help, budgeting, customer service, content creation, and productivity—without replacing good judgment.

The series will include 2–4 sessions, each 1–2 hours, hosted in St. Paul at a community-accessible space such as a library or community center partner site. Sessions will be interactive, beginner-friendly, and open to the public, with a short take-home resource guide so attendees leave with something useful and actionable.

This $1,000 grant will make the series possible. Funds will cover workshop essentials such as printed materials/resource guides, basic AV or room costs if needed, accessibility support (live captions/interpretation when possible), and light refreshments to encourage attendance. I’ll also promote the workshops through neighborhood groups and partner networks so St. Paul residents know the opportunity exists.

Timeline: within 30–60 days of award, I will finalize the venue/partners, publish dates, and deliver the first workshop, followed by the remaining sessions over the next month. AwesomeStPaul’s support will help St. Paul residents gain confident, informed access to AI—so it becomes something they can understand and use safely, not something happening to them.”