AI 101 Lunch & Learn with Toby Usnik

You're Invited: AI 101 Lunch & Learn with Toby Usnik

Dear Rhinebeck Business Community and Chamber Members,

Are you curious about artificial intelligence but feel unsure where to start—no technical background required? Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or team member looking to drive growth, this beginner-friendly session is designed to demystify AI and help you use these tools confidently in your daily work and life.

If you use email, documents, and basic digital tools every day, but want to replace tech anxiety with simple habits you can apply right away, this is for you! Furthermore, if we are better equipped as a business community, we can help each other move forward, collaborate, and thrive together in a changing landscape.

Meet Your Presenter

Toby Usnik is a global communications and business development leader, author, podcaster, and AI educator with more than 25 years of experience at organizations including The New York Times, American Express, Christie’s, and the British Consulate General in New York. Today, he helps individuals, businesses, and organizations understand and use AI as a practical, trusted tool for work, career development, communications, and everyday life.

WHY / WHAT TO EXPECT:
This is AI 101 for real life—not a technical lecture. It is designed for business professionals, entrepreneurs, teams, and anyone curious about AI who wants to understand it without getting overwhelmed by jargon or technology.

Most importantly, this will be a working session. Participants should BYOL—Bring Your Own Laptop—because we will actually practice together as we go. Rather than simply watching a presentation about AI, attendees will have the opportunity to try AI tools themselves, ask questions, experiment with prompts, and see how these technologies can be useful in their own work and lives.

We’ll explore practical ways to use tools such as ChatGPT and other leading AI platforms for things like writing and communications, research, brainstorming, decision-making, productivity, career development, and managing everyday tasks.

The goal is to leave participants not simply knowing more about AI, but feeling more comfortable and confident actually using it.

So, in addition to bringing a laptop, I’d encourage everyone to come with a few real questions, challenges, or tasks they would like to explore. The more we can work with real-life examples, the more useful the session will be.

Event Details

• When: Thursday, October 1

• What: AI 101 Lunch & Learn

• Where: Market St.

• Food: Feel free to bring your own meal or purchase one directly from the restaurant.

• Who Should Attend: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to harness AI without feeling overwhelmed.

Please consider attending yourself or sending someone from your staff to learn more about and demystify AI. We look forward to seeing you there!