North Carolina Learning Cohort

pilot program

What you’ll learn

  • You will understand of what AI is and how it works

  • You’ll have awareness of how to use AI responsibly and safely

  • You’ll gain hands-on proficiency in basic prompting for productivity

  • You’ll gain the ability to identify AI use cases

  • You’ll have a community where dialogue is welcome

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When it’s happening

Start Date: April 22, 2026

End Date: May 27, 2026

Time: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. ET

Who it’s for

Any North Carolina public sector organization or individual.

What people are saying

The AI Dialogues™ program has been used to train thousands of public servants in the last year with phenomenal results.

These courses brought back the critical thinking aspect of using technology. I am moving forward with more information about HOW & WHEN to use AI, and not blindly trust what is provided to me out of convenience. Thank you!

— Larisa

Training was really great, not boring at all, and really interesting. I benefited so much from this training. I really liked the structure of breaking this up into one a week at the same time/day.

— Dillan

These sessions were fantastic - I actually looked forward to them, which isn't always the case with training. 

— Courtney
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Session content

Session 1: Starting with Curiosity

This session demystifies AI using the unique lens of biomimicry (how nature’s processes inspire technology) to explain the foundations of what AI is, how it works, and why understanding it matters for every organization.

Session 2: Don’t Tell My Secrets (but be transparent)

Learn how data privacy evolved before and after AI. Learn safety guidance, open records considerations, and possible ramifications of public-facing AI-generated content.

Session 3: “Artificial” Communication

Learn “Prompt Engineering” through the lens of communication and get hands-on Learn the most common mistakes beginner AI users make and how to avoid them, and get hands-on with your organization’s approved GenAI tool to try it out.

Session 4: AI in Real Life

Continue getting hands-on with your organization’s GenAI tool to explore how it can relieve some of your workload and increase your efficiency. Explore iterative prompting and begin recognizing when a prompt has evolved from a prompt to a process.

Session 5: We Can But Should We

From job displacement to deskilling (is AI making us dumb?), to environmental impacts, bias, and more, you’ll learn the greatest ethical concerns about AI, and engage in dialogue about what they mean for individuals, organizations, and society.

Session 6: The Fit Check

AI is just one of many technologies available to organizations, so how do you know when it’s a fit and when it’s not? In this session, we’ll show real-life examples of how GenAI is being used in public sector today, and teach participants how to identify AI use cases that can save time at the individual and team levels.

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What it costs

  • $120/person

    • Note: If you are sending more than 24 people to the cohort from your organization, you may be eligible for discounted pricing.

What it includes

  • 6 live-virtual sessions

  • Access to session recordings through June 30, 2027

  • Completion certification

How to buy

Buy directly on this site by clicking “Join Cohort” below, or

contact Jamie Kimes at jamie@theideagarden.fun, and she will get you enrolled!

Join NC Cohort

Expected outcomes

The below graphs are real data from some of The Idea Garden’s work with Colorado state executive branch agencies. We see increasingly positive outcomes each time we deliver the program, as we are constantly improving it based on user feedback.

AI literacy BEFORE

AI literacy AFTER

Ability to identify AI use cases BEFORE

Ability to identify AI use cases AFTER

Responsible use awareness BEFORE

Responsible use awareness AFTER

GenAI prompting skills BEFORE

GenAI prompting skills AFTER

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Getting started is simple. Click “Join the NC Cohort” anywhere on this page to sign up or contact christian@publicsectornetwork.com, and he’ll get you enrolled!

  • Our approach to AI training is unique in several different ways:

    • We are non-technical in our language and delivery, making complex concepts simple and easy to understand for all audiences

    • We tailor our examples to fit public sector

    • We are NOT a “check the box” training. We are a human-centered training that is committed to helping people navigate this unique technology both personally and professionally.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email at team@theideagarden.fun.

Get in Touch