Your First AI Conversation

This is your chance to see what AI can do — and what this course is about — without spending a dime or making a commitment.

What you need: A phone or computer with internet. That's it. No account required for this module.

What Just Happened?

Imagine this:

You sit down to write an essay about climate change. You're stuck. You open ChatGPT and type: “Write me an essay about climate change for my English class.”

In 10 seconds, you have a perfect essay. You copy, paste, submit.

Did you just cheat? Or did you just use a tool?

The answer depends on what you do next.

If you turn it in as-is — that's cheating.

If you read it, learn from it, write your own version — that's studying.

The difference isn't the tool. It's what you do with it.

Your First AI Conversation

Step 1: Get Access (2 min)

Pick one free AI tool:

Option A: ChatGPT — go to chat.openai.com → Sign up → email or Google account

Option B: Claude — go to claude.ai → Sign up → email or Google account + phone verification

Doesn't matter which you pick. Claude tends to be more conversational. ChatGPT is more widely known. Try both eventually.

Step 2: Start Talking (4 min)

Don't overthink it. Just type something. Try one of these:

Have a 3–4 message back-and-forth. See what happens.

Step 3: Ask It About Itself (2 min)

Now get meta:

Notice: How does it answer? Is it confident or hesitant? Does it admit limitations?

Step 4: Test Its Limits (2 min)

Push a little. Try to get it to do something it shouldn't:

Most AI tools have guardrails. They won't help with cheating, illegal stuff, or harmful content. But those guardrails aren't perfect — and they don't teach you when using AI is ethically wrong. Just when it's obviously wrong.

That's what this course is about.

What Did You Learn?

Write 2–3 sentences answering each of these. You can write in a notes app, Google Docs, or just think through them:

No need to submit these. They're for you. This kind of reflection is exactly what Module 1 digs into.

Here's What You Know Now

You just had your first real AI conversation. Maybe it was weird. Maybe it was cool. Maybe both.

• AI is accessible — you just used it
• AI has limits — it wouldn't help you cheat
• AI requires judgment — you have to decide when to use it

The full course teaches you:

• When AI helps you learn vs. when it's cheating
• How to build your own AI tutor
• How to spot when AI is wrong or biased
• How to use AI without losing your ability to think

This course is for high school students (grades 9–12) who have heard about ChatGPT or other AI tools and want to learn how to use AI without losing your ability to think.

You'll get the most value if you:

• are curious about AI, but want clear boundaries
• want to build a personal tutor file you'll actually use later
• want a verifiable certificate that shows course completion and AI literacy practice

This course may not be for you if you're looking for AI to do your work for you.

AI can write text quickly. The goal of this course is to help you use AI as a learning partner — to question, reflect, and check ideas — not as a shortcut.

Your tutor file (my_ai_tutor.md) is a personal document you build as you go through the course. Each module adds a new layer:

• Module 1: your Never List (your AI boundaries)
• Module 2: your Socratic prompts
• Module 3: your explanation of how AI works
• Module 4: your bias + ethics checks
• Modules 5–6: your tutor's personality and your final usage checklist

Labs are for practice. You copy your best answers into your tutor file so you can use them later. The tutor file is yours — it is not submitted or shared unless you choose to.

Note: The tutor file is only available for download after you complete all six paid modules and earn your certificate.

If you have questions, email: exactrushllc@gmail.com

Support is text-only (no voice or video required).

Office hours may be added once there are enrolled cohorts. We'll let you know.