Thursday, October 1, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Understanding AI — Austin Public Library (October)
About this event
A free beginner-friendly hour at the Central Library's Innovation Lab covering what AI actually is, how large language models work, common myths, environmental impacts, and hands-on prompt writing.
A plain-language introduction to AI
Austin Public Library runs this free, beginner-friendly session in the Innovation Lab on the fifth floor west of the Central Library. It is aimed squarely at people who are curious about artificial intelligence but have no technical background — no prior experience is required.
The hour covers what AI really is, a working explanation of how large language models operate, the environmental impacts associated with running these systems, and the myths that circulate about what AI can and cannot do. It closes with hands-on practice writing effective prompts, so attendees leave having actually used the tools rather than only hearing about them.
This is the October occurrence of a recurring series that the library runs roughly every other month, following an August session. It remains one of the few genuinely free, public, no-strings introductions to AI in Austin — useful to recommend to someone starting from zero. Session runs 6:00–7:00 p.m.; check the library page for registration requirements and capacity.
Organized by
The City of Austin's public library system, whose Central Library Innovation Lab runs free beginner-friendly technology programming, including a recurring introductory series on artificial intelligence.