Brentwood residents curious about artificial intelligence can get a free introduction Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the John P. Holt Brentwood Public Library.

The 90-minute session, called "Practical AI for Beginners," runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B at the library, 8109 Concord Road. Eric Carrender, director of AI innovation at Ascend Federal Credit Union, will lead the class, according to the library's event listing.

No prior AI experience is needed.

Carrender plans to cover what artificial intelligence and large language models actually are, along with the differences among three popular tools: ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. He will also walk attendees through how to write effective prompts and how to apply AI to research, writing, learning and everyday productivity.

A second portion of the session will focus on safety and accuracy. Carrender will explain how to spot AI "hallucinations," the term for false information that AI tools sometimes generate, and how to verify what they produce. Privacy risks, scams, deepfakes and responsible AI use are also on the agenda.

Carrender brings two decades of experience in information security and enterprise technology. He holds a Certified Information Security Manager credential from ISACA and a bachelor's degree in information technology from Florida State University. From 2021 to 2023, he taught cybersecurity and IT curriculum to adult career-changers at Nashville Software School.

The library's event listing describes him as someone who focuses on making complex technology accessible to people at all experience levels.

The class is free. The library has not indicated whether advance registration is required. Attendees who need Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations should contact the library at least one week before the event through its website or by calling (615) 371-0090.

Upcoming at the library: The "Practical AI for Beginners" session takes place Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B. Visit the library's event calendar for additional fall programming.