Curious about AI but not sure where to start? AI Foundations is a full day for people new to the technology, with no prior experience needed.

Most of us have poked at ChatGPT. Far fewer have a working setup, a clear sense of what’s safe to put in, and a plan for where AI actually earns its keep. That gap is what this day closes.

Over six hours and seven stops, you’ll build a working picture of how today’s AI tools work, get set up on ChatGPT and Claude, and use them on four real use cases you can repeat. In the afternoon you’ll draft a first version of your AI policy, look at the wider toolset beyond the big two, then score your own ideas and pick the quick wins.

You’ll work on your own tasks, not made-up examples. Bring a laptop and one job that eats your time every week. We’ll do the rest.

When: Friday 16 October 2026, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Where: EPIC Christchurch (Enterprise Precinct and Innovation Campus), 100 Manchester Street
General admission: $250 incl. GST

Book your place

The day, stop by stop

1. Generative AI. What it is, how it works, and four useful ways to think about it.
2. Privacy, safety and security. The four risks actually worth worrying about, a simple test before you paste anything in, and seven rules worth printing.
3. ChatGPT and Claude, hands on. A tour of both tools, four real use cases, and the prompting framework that does most of the work.
4. Your AI policy. A real first draft, written in the room, ready to refine with your team.
5. The wider toolset. Agents, meeting notes, voice, images, video, and where to look when you want more.
6. Prioritise and plan. Score every idea on impact, confidence and effort. Start where the wins are.
7. Next steps. People first, then data, and how the Sandbox supports you after the day.

Who it’s for

Anyone in the Christchurch community who wants to start using AI properly. Small business owners, managers, professionals, educators, retirees and creatives all welcome. If you’ve never opened ChatGPT, you’re in exactly the right place. If you’ve already dabbled, the day will turn scattered experiments into a working system.

It’s not aimed at developers or experienced practitioners looking for advanced technique. We won’t be building agents or using Claude Cowork. Our intermediate and advanced workshops are the better fit there.

What you’ll take away

• Working accounts and settings in ChatGPT and Claude, set up the way you’ll actually use them.
• A prompting framework you can apply to any task, plus a handful of everyday prompts worth keeping.
• A simple test for what’s safe to put into an AI tool, and what isn’t.
• A first draft of your organisation’s AI policy.
• A scored, prioritised list of where AI will save you time first.
• A clear plan for your next 90 days, with Sandbox support along the way.

What to bring

A laptop, and one task from your week you’d happily hand off to someone else. We’ll do the rest.

FAQ

Do I need any AI experience?
No. The day is entry level by design. If you’ve never opened ChatGPT, you’ll be fine. If you have, you’ll leave with structure around what you’ve been doing.

Do I need paid AI accounts?
No. We’ll demonstrate some paid tools, but free accounts are enough to take part, and we’ll help you set them up on the day.

I’m a sole trader. Is the AI policy part still relevant?
Yes. Your policy becomes the rulebook for you, your contractors, and anyone you hire next. It’s also what clients are starting to ask to see if you consult.

Your presenter

J Norness is a fractional AI Officer working with businesses across New Zealand and Australia, and a volunteer lead trainer for the Nelson AI Sandbox. He has trained more than 1,100 people in the past two years, from sole operators to executive teams. His sessions are hands-on, vendor neutral and free of hype.

About the AI Sandbox

The AI Sandbox is a not-for-profit community initiative based in Nelson and Christchurch. Our mission is to empower and educate the community in the use of AI, making the technology accessible to everyone, at whatever pace suits. Find us at aisandbox.org.nz.

More than 6,000 people have walked through our doors since March 2024. We’ll figure out what works for you, too.

Nelson AI Sandbox provides AI education and information only. We do not provide professional advice. AI tools may produce inaccurate, biased or inappropriate outputs and may raise privacy, confidentiality, intellectual property, security and compliance risks. Users are responsible for assessing suitability and legality before using any AI tool, workflow or output. Liability is excluded to the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law.