← bythreeedu bythreedu
AI-101
Artificial Intelligence I
bythreedu

Artificial
Intelligence I

A practitioner-built curriculum for learning how AI tools actually work — and how to use them to build real workflows. No technical background required.

Duration
16
weeks
Units
8
modules
Lessons
32
sessions
Tools
5+
platforms
Level
All
no code required
The full curriculum — move at your own pace across any plan.
01 — PhilosophyHow This Curriculum Thinks
Understand before you automate.

Most people use AI like a search engine. They type a question, read the answer, move on. This curriculum teaches you to think like a prompt engineer: understanding what the model sees, why it responds the way it does, and how to shape that output with precision. We start with how LLMs work — not what buttons to press.

The mechanics come first. Fluency follows. By the time you're building workflows, you'll know exactly why each piece works.

Build for your field.

You bring the domain knowledge. This curriculum provides the AI fluency. The curriculum is designed so every exercise maps back to real work — whether that's writing, research, design, business operations, or something else entirely.

By the capstone, you'll have a working AI system built around your specific use case. Not a demo. Not a template. Yours.

02 — Roadmap16 Weeks at a Glance
1
Unit 1
How LLMs Actually Work
Weeks 1–2
2
Unit 2
Prompt Fundamentals
Weeks 3–4
3
Unit 3
Prompt Patterns and Techniques
Weeks 5–6
4
Unit 4
ChatGPT and Claude Workflows
Weeks 7–8
5
Unit 5
Generative Image Tools
Weeks 9–10
6
Unit 6
AI for Writing and Research
Weeks 11–12
7
Unit 7
Automation and AI Systems
Weeks 13–14
8
Unit 8
Capstone: Your AI Workflow
Weeks 15–16
03 — ConceptsCore Mechanics
🧠
LLMs
Large language models predict the most probable next token based on everything they've seen in training. They don't retrieve facts — they generate text. Understanding this changes how you prompt.
GPT-4ClaudeGemini
📝
Prompts
The prompt is your entire interface with the model. Everything the model knows about what you want lives in the prompt window. Structure, clarity, and framing determine output quality.
System promptUser messageContext
🪟
Context Window
Every model has a finite context window — the total amount of text it can process in one session. Learning to manage context is what separates basic users from power users.
TokensMemoryWindow limits
🎲
Temperature
Temperature controls how much randomness the model introduces when sampling its next token. Low temperature = precise and repetitive. High temperature = creative and unpredictable.
0.0 — deterministic1.0 — creative
👁️
Hallucination
Models confabulate — they generate plausible-sounding text that is factually wrong. Knowing when to trust output and when to verify is a core skill, not a workaround.
VerificationGroundingConfidence
🔁
Iteration
A good prompt is rarely written once. The discipline is in the revision loop — evaluating output, diagnosing what's off, and refining the input until you get what you need consistently.
RefineEvaluateTest
04 — Curriculum32 Lessons Across 8 Units
Final Project
Your AI System
The capstone isn't a test — it's a build. By week 15, you have a use case you care about, a set of trained prompt patterns, and a working automation. The final two sessions are for building it into something complete, documented, and presentable.

You leave with a system you built, not a certificate you received.
Deliverables
  • 1
    Workflow MapFull documentation of your AI system — inputs, steps, outputs, and human review points.
  • 2
    Prompt LibraryA personal collection of tested, refined prompts built over the course of the semester.
  • 3
    Working AutomationAt least one live automation connecting AI to another tool in your workflow.
  • 4
    PresentationA walkthrough of every component — what it does, why it's designed that way, and how to maintain it.
04b — EcosystemBetween Sessions
📋
Session Notes
After every lesson, you get a written summary of what we covered, what you should practice, and what to focus on before the next session.
  • Key takeaways from the lesson
  • Prompts we built or refined together
  • What to practice before next time
  • Links to tools and references mentioned
🗂️
Prompt Library
A shared, growing document of every prompt pattern we've built. Organized by technique and use case — yours to keep after the semester.
  • Organized by unit and technique
  • Includes your tested variations
  • Updated after every session
  • Formatted for reuse, not just reference
💬
Async DM Support
Monthly and Semester students get direct message access between sessions. Ask questions, share outputs, get feedback — without waiting for the next booking.
  • Prompt review on demand
  • Workflow troubleshooting
  • Tool recommendations as needs come up
  • 24-hr response during business days
🛠️
Tool Guides
Quick reference sheets for every platform covered in the curriculum — setup, key settings, and the commands that matter for your use case.
  • ChatGPT and Claude setup guides
  • Midjourney parameter reference
  • Zapier/Make workflow templates
  • Updated as platforms change
05 — InvestmentPricing Options
per Hour
$125
1-hr lesson
Flexible · No commitment
Virtual only
  • Flexible scheduling
  • 1-on-1 focused attention
  • No long-term commitment

Best for trying the curriculum before committing.

per Month
$1,315
4 lessons · 1.5 hours/lesson
1 lesson/week · book more to move faster
Virtual + In-Person
  • Session notes delivered after
  • Async DM support between sessions
  • Priority scheduling

Booking 2× per week simply draws down your lessons faster — no extra charge.

per Semester
$6,950
22+ lessons · 1.5 hours/lesson
1 lesson/week · book more to move faster
Virtual + In-Person
  • Session notes delivered after
  • Capstone critique + written notes
  • Prompt library at completion
  • Booking 2× per week draws down lessons faster
  • + Extend to 26 weeks — pay per lesson difference

Best for full commitment. Book 2× per week to move through lessons faster.

06 — ContactLet's Talk

Not sure where to start? Book one session. Bring a real task you've been meaning to try with AI — we'll build a prompt for it together and you'll leave knowing exactly how to apply what we covered.

Do I need to know how to code?
No. The first six units require nothing technical. Unit 7 covers automation tools that are no-code by design. If you want to go deeper into the API side, that's an option — not a requirement.
What tools do I need to sign up for?
ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro are recommended — both are around $20/month. We'll also use Midjourney and one automation platform (Zapier or Make, both have free tiers). I'll guide setup in the first session.
Are lessons online or in-person?
Per Hour sessions are virtual only. Monthly and Semester plans include the option for in-person sessions in NYC.
Can I switch plans later?
Yes. You can upgrade from per Hour to Monthly or Semester at any point — the session you've already paid for applies toward your first month.