GEN AI at Work: Foundations

Generative AI is becoming embedded in workplace systems and everyday tasks. In government and public service work, the goal is not to chase tools; the goal is to build capability to use Large Language Models (LLMs) safely, responsibly, and in a way that stands up to scrutiny. 

Why GEN AI at Work: Foundations

Generative AI is becoming embedded in workplace systems and everyday tasks. In government and public service work, the goal is not to chase tools. The goal is to build capability to use LLMs safely, responsibly, and in a way that stands up to scrutiny. 

This course is grounded in the Victorian Government AI Mission Statement, which outlines the Victorian Government’s vision for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI across the public sector.

Targeted at entry-level participants, this full-day course builds confidence through six progressive modules. Participants begin by understanding where AI is now, what we think is going to happen, and what that means for us. Participants will learn safe and responsible use practices aligned to Victorian public sector guardrails, before getting hands-on with prompting fundamentals across multiple input and output modes. GEN AI at work is platform‑ and model‑agnostic: while many participants will use Copilot, the prompting patterns, verification routines and workflow approaches apply across all approved tools. Throughout the day, participants develop practical verification routines, create a personalised AI Role Plan mapped by impact and risk, and use AI as a thinking partner to solve a real problem.

This course builds capability aligned to the Victorian Public Service Capability Framework by strengthening participants’ ability to apply systems thinking, use digital technologies responsibly, and apply critical thinking to real workplace problems. Participants develop understanding of political and organisational context, ensuring AI use aligns with public sector responsibilities and guardrails.

Turn learning into action

You will gain a comprehensive overview Copilot and by the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Explain what generative AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how to position it appropriately for public sector work.
2. Apply safe and responsible AI practices aligned to Victorian public sector guardrails, including privacy, security, information handling, accountability and recordkeeping requirements.
3. Construct and refine effective prompts using context, constraints, audience, format and quality criteria, and apply verification routines to improve the accuracy and quality of AI generated outputs.
4. Identify and plan practical, low-risk opportunities to integrate AI into their role by mapping high-value tasks and low-risk starting points and developing a personalised role integration roadmap and starter prompt set.
5. Use AI as a thinking partner for strategic problem-solving, including clarifying problems, finding expert approaches, building action plans, and applying verification routines.

By the end, each participant will leave with three practical artefacts: a personal role integration roadmap, a starter prompt set tailored to public sector work, and a verification checklist aligned to Victorian requirements. 

Course audience

This course is designed for the non-tech workforce seeking to learn the basics of using MS Copilot to develop prompting skills and gain efficiencies in their work.

Technology requirements to participate in this course

1. To support the interactive nature of this course, participants will need access to a generative AI tool during the session. Activities are designed to provide hands-on practice using these tools.
2. For the best experience, we recommend access to a Microsoft Copilot licence, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot or Copilot Chat. Please ensure you follow your organisation’s security and data protection requirements if using a personal account.
3. Participants using VICGovChat or other organisation-specific AI environments may experience limitations depending on their settings, including reduced functionality, fewer integrations or restricted access to some features.

If you are unsure whether you have access, it’s a good idea to check early, either by signing in ahead of time or confirming with your system administrator. Having this access sorted before the course starts will ensure you can follow along with demonstrations, complete any hands‑on activities, and get the most value from the course content.