AI Advantage: Boosting productivity in the public service

AI is transforming how we work, but the productivity promise won’t happen organically. Leveraging the full potential of AI requires critical reflection on what this technology can and cannot do, and where AI tools can best be applied within our workflows.

AI Advantage is a synchronous online workshop offered in partnership with the Public Policy Forum (PPF), Mila – Quebec AI Institute, and AI education expert, Shingai Manjengwa. Through skills-focused presentations, interactive assignments, and personalized feedback, participants will learn how to leverage generative AI to support and enhance their workplace productivity.

Specifically designed for public servants, this hands-on workshop will equip participants with the skills to effectively connect AI tools to their workplace responsibilities. Recognizing the challenges that come with navigating new and rapidly evolving AI technologies, this workshop will provide actionable steps for public servants to self-reflect on their workflows and leverage AI in a responsible and impactful way.

When? January 23-24, 2025, 2-4pm

Where? Online, synchronous

AI Advantage is designed for participants interested in leveraging AI to improve their daily work, while considering the specific constraints around using generative AI in the public sector. It is catered towards federal public servants who handle tasks like report and policy writing, data analysis, forecasting, environmental scans, communications, and other administrative duties.

The AI Advantage workshop consists of two modules, lasting two hours each.

• 4 hours of synchronous online workshop
• A maximum of 8 hours for individual assignments
• While the time taken for individual assignments may vary due to technical abilities, the assignments are designed to benefit participants at all levels of AI proficiency and the program offers personalized feedback for learners to improve. 

Workshop highlights

• Intro to AI for Public Servants: Participants will learn about AI’s capabilities and limitations, and explore generative AI tools that can be leveraged in their work.
• Operationalizing AI: Participants will review key tasks undertaken by public servants and explore gen AI technologies that can support their work.
• Mapping Workflows for AI: Participants will self-reflect on their work processes, map their workflows to AI capabilities, and assess where AI can add value.
• Interactive and Practical Focus: Participants will engage in two hands-on activities designed to practically integrate generative AI tools into their daily tasks. 
• Applying AI Tools: Participants will learn how to apply AI tools to improve processes and efficiency in work tasks. Participants will learn how process improvements and greater efficiency in tasks can increase productivity and contribute to a balanced work culture. 
• Evaluation and Personalized Feedback: Participants will receive personalized feedback on their assignments to refine their application of AI tools in their specific work contexts.

After this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Analyze and map their workflow to identify areas where AI can be applied effectively
• Implement AI tools to tackle concrete challenges in day-to-day work
• Understand how to use AI responsibly in the workplace, in line with federal public service AI guidelines of the federal public service. 
• Gain a fundamental understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations in government.
• Recognize the importance of data and analytics in improving workplace processes
• Leverage AI for ideation and problem-solving

A note on guideline compliance

This workshop takes every effort to be aligned with public service guidelines on the use of AI. However, participants are responsible for ensuring compliance within the constraints of their organization and department.

Prior to participating in AI Advantage, for an overview of the basics of AI in the public service, participants are invited to complete “Using Generative AI in the Government of Canada”, offered by the Canada School of Public Service. This course explains the fundamentals of Gen AI use and may help prepare participants with the appropriate base knowledge for the AI Advantage workshop.

• $590 per participant (includes customized feedback)
• 15% discount for Mila / PPF members

Register here 

About Mila

Located at the heart of Quebec’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, Mila – Québec AI Institute is a community of over 1000 researchers specialized in machine learning and dedicated to scientific excellence and innovation. Our mission is to build a global hub of scientific progress that inspires innovation and the growth of artificial intelligence for the benefit of all. The institute is recognized for its expertise and innovation in language modeling, machine translation, object recognition, and generative models. 

Since its inception, Mila has focused its mission on core research areas such as health, environment and climate change, and the ethics of AI. The socially responsible development of AI is central to Mila’s mission. As a leader, the institute contributes to social dialogue and the development of applications that will benefit society through collaboration between researchers and stakeholders with diverse expertise who want to harness the potential of AI and advanced technologies to create a better world. 

Learn more on https://mila.quebec/