Resources: Google AI Essentials Learning Circle
Explore our curated collection of resources to deepen your understanding of artificial intelligence. This page offers links to TPL resources (recommended additional courses), key publications, informative websites, and insightful articles—handpicked by AI Upskilling library staff to support your learning and research in AI. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, you’ll find valuable tools and materials here.
TPL Resources
All of the following online resources are free to use with a library card and are available from home as well as in the library.
Gale offers six-week, instructor-led online courses, covering introductory to intermediate topics, with a certificate of completion. New sessions begin monthly. Registration is required.
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Introduction to Machine Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides access to a collection of thousands of high-quality instructional videos focused on computers, business and self-improvement skills.
Here are some highlighted titles to get you started, covering various aspects of AI:
AI for Business & Leadership:
- AI for Business
- AI and the Future of Work: Workflows and Modern Tools for Tech Leaders (1hr 5m)
- Become an AI-Powered People Manager (45m)
- Generative AI for Business Leaders (57m)
- Leveraging Generative AI for Project Management: Strategic Insights and Future Trends (46m)
Understanding AI Concepts:
- Big Data in the Age of AI (2hr 7m)
- Ethics in the Age of Generative AI (39m)
- Everyday AI Concepts (49m)
- Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT (54m)
AI for Creativity, Education, & Personal Growth:
- Amplify Your Critical Thinking with Generative AI (1hr)
- Artificial Intelligence for Students (1hr 28m)
- How to Research and Write Using Generative AI Tools (1hr 15m)
- Integrating Generative AI into the Creative Process (1hr 32m)
HS Talks offers a unique opportunity to hear from leading global experts, including Nobel Laureates. This resource is good for international content. Here are some sample titles:
- Ethical Challenges of Artificial Intelligence: Introduction (30m)
- The Future of Selling in a Virtual and Artificial Intelligence World (8m)
- Machine Learning, AI Platforms, and Biases (39m)
- Project Management: How to Make Projects More Successful and the Role of AI (26m)
Let’s Learn Tech Online is a collection of interactive, self-paced courses from Cisco Networking Academy to help you learn IT job skills. Let’s Learn Tech courses are sometimes partnered with TPL Learning Circles. This is a good resource to check out if you are interested in learning a diverse array of computer skills and are particularly useful for those interested in the technical side of IT and AI
Course titles include:
- AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild (10 hours)
- Data Analytics Essentials (30 hours)
- Introduction to Data Science (6 hours)
- Data Analytics Essentials (30 hours)
- Linux Essentials (70 hours)
O’Reilly Learning is a collection of eBooks, audiobooks, articles and videos about technology and business. All titles are immediately available – —you will never have to place a hold. You can filter searches for specific formats. Make sure you are looking at the most up to date resources, as information about AI ages quickly.
Sample titles include:
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (ebook)
- GenAI Superstream: Next-Level Work and Creativity with Generative AI (video)
- How Developers Can Lower AI’s Climate Impact (article)
- Mastering Prompt Engineering: Generate Text and Images with AI (video)
- The No. 1 Question to Ask When Evaluating AI Tools (article)
- What is Generative AI? (audiobook)
Toronto Public Library subscribes to a number of databases which give you free access to articles from newspapers, magazines and academic journals. Each of these databases has a “Getting Started Guide” to make your search easy and productive. Checking these databases out regularly can keep you up to date.
Example keywords participants can use when searching for AI-related articles include “artificial intelligence ethics” and “machine learning applications”.
Helpful databases for AI, technology and business include:
- Academic OneFile
- Business Source Complete
- Canadian Business and Current Affairs
- Canadian Newsstream
- Flipster Magazines
- NYTimes.com
- PressReader
Other Resources
Podcasts
Podcasts are an accessible and engaging way to learn more about AI. You can access these podcasts through podcast apps on smartphones or computers. Lots of general interest or news podcasts have occasional episodes which feature AI, but the following titles are all-AI, all the time:
- Me, Myself and AI: A Podcast on Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Practical AI
- The AI Podcast
- This Day in AI
- Women and AI
- Your Undivided Attention
- Disruptors
Organizations
Canada
CIFAR – Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
CILAR – Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect
CILAR brings together a group of top technology and innovation leaders to dismantle structural racism in technology.
Booklists, resources, and tips, including how to cite AI-generated documents.
Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
Mila is a community of more than 1,200 researchers specializing in artificial intelligence. Areas of research include health, environment and climate change, and AI ethics.
A non-profit institute established to “democratize AI ethics literacy”. Their goal is to educate citizens and decision-makers in AI ethics so that they can build a more responsible future. Publishes the bi-weekly AI Ethics Brief newsletter,
This independent, not-for-profit institute is Toronto-based and aims to drive excellence in the use of AI to foster economic growth in Canada and improve the lives of Canadians. They offer free introductory courses in AI to black and indigenous students.
Europe
University of Helsinki Artificial Intelligence Collection
Offers a series of online courses which are free to those who do not enroll for credit. The introductory class Elements of AI is the most popular course in the history of the University of Helsinki.
United States
Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence
The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) is the premier scientific society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines. AAAI produces a quarterly open-access academic publication, AI Magazine, which is available on their website.
The Center for Humane Technology “Wfocuses on transforming the incentives that drive technology, from social media to artificial intelligence.”
Distributed AI Research Institute
The Distributed AI Research Institute publishes and supports independent, community-rooted AI research and is concerned with “uncovering and mitigating the harms of current AI systems” and planning for a future in which AI is a tool for equity and sustainability. This institute is broadly international and is a great place to see AI through a non-Western lens.
Stanford University Human-Centered AI Institute
Advancing AI research, education, and policy to improve the human condition. Their annual AI Index, which outlines trends in research and development, responsible AI, and AI in science and medicine, is available on their website.
Publications
Government of Canada Guide on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
This guide is written for government employees, and is a great example of guidelines for the use of AI in the workplace. Find out if your own company has a similar AI policy.
Government of Canada Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government
This website details the Government of Canada’s approach and guidelines for using artificial intelligence responsibly within its operations and services.
“The People + AI Guidebook is a living, evolving collection of practical guidance and best practices for designing human-centered AI products.” Includes the AI Exploreables articles.
How to Use these Resources
This page is designed to help you increase your knowledge on Artificial Intelligence. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Start with the TPL Resources for a Foundation: Our recommended TPL resources, like the Gale Courses and LinkedIn Learning, offer structured learning opportunities and are a great place to build your initial understanding of AI concepts and related skills.
Explore Podcasts for Accessible Overviews: Podcasts provide a convenient and engaging way to learn about AI on the go. They often cover current trends and discussions in an easy-to-understand format.
Use the Databases to Find Current Articles on Specific Topics: The TPL databases give you access to a wealth of up-to-date articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. Use keywords related to your interests to find the latest information and research in specific areas of AI.
Check out the Organizations for Deeper Dives and Diverse Perspectives: The listed organizations offer valuable insights, research, and resources from academic, industry, and ethical standpoints. Explore their websites to delve deeper into specific areas of AI and gain different perspectives on its development and impact.
We encourage you to explore these resources at your own pace and discover the learning methods that work best for you. Happy exploring!
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