Getting started with AI in extension
Learn how to begin using generative AI confidently and responsibly in your extension and advisory work. In this half-day online workshop, we’ll introduce what generative AI is, what it can and can’t do, and where it can add real value in extension contexts. You’ll focus on practical, low-risk ways to get started, building confidence to use AI as a support tool without losing professional judgement or the human side of extension.
Is this course for you?
- You work as an extension practitioner, farm advisor, or researcher and are curious about AI but unsure where to start.
- You’ve heard about tools like ChatGPT or Copilot but want practical guidance before using them in your work.
- You want to understand how AI might help with everyday extension tasks while managing risks around accuracy and ethics.
Why enrol?
- Build a clear, realistic understanding of what AI can and can’t do in extension practice.
- Gain confidence using AI for simple, practical tasks that save time and reduce effort.
- Learn how to use AI responsibly, knowing when human expertise and judgement matter most.
What you'll achieve
Through this half-day, highly interactive workshop, you’ll explore topics like:
- Understand generative AI basics – explain what generative AI is and how it works in plain language.
- Identify useful starting points – recognise extension tasks where AI can provide immediate, low-risk support.
- Use AI for everyday tasks – apply AI to drafting text, summarising information, and generating ideas efficiently.
- Write simple, effective prompts – learn how to ask better questions to get more useful outputs.
- Manage risks and limitations – recognise issues around accuracy, bias, privacy, and over-reliance on AI.
By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence to start using generative AI in small, practical ways that support your extension work while maintaining quality, ethics, and trust.
Who you will learn from
Dr John James is deeply passionate about enabling change and fostering innovation. With a wealth of experience, he specialises in helping organisations enhance the skills and capabilities of their teams in all aspects of extension and adoption. As an Adjunct Associate Professor with The University of Queensland, John brings a practical, hands-on approach to his work, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. John is a keen supporter of the Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN), having been a past President, the convenor for two international conferences, and is an APEN Life Member.
Denise Bewsell is passionate about helping people enable change and strengthen how they work with others. With a background in Agricultural Science and a Masters exploring how people respond to information, she combines research insight with real-world experience. As a Principal at Scarlatti, Denise leads the extension programme design area and has worked extensively across agriculture supporting facilitators and researchers. An APEN Life Member and associate editor of its journal, she’s excited to help others build capability through Enablers of Change.
Course details
- Format: Three-hour online workshop.
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- Investment: The price for this course is A$350 ex GST.
Start using AI with confidence and care
Take the first step into AI-supported extension practice. Enrol to build a practical foundation that helps you save time, generate ideas, and work more efficiently—without compromising quality or trust.
Register your interest!
FAQs
What is the Getting started with AI in extension course about?
This half-day online workshop introduces generative AI in an extension context. It focuses on building foundational understanding, confidence, and practical skills for using AI safely and effectively in everyday extension and advisory work.
Who is this workshop for?
It’s designed for anyone working in extension, research, or agricultural engagement who is new to AI or wants a clear, practical starting point.
What if my organisation only allows me to use Copilot or another tool, not ChatGPT?
That’s perfectly fine. This workshop is technology agnostic—it focuses on how to use generative AI effectively in extension practice, regardless of the specific platform. While we often refer to ChatGPT for demonstration purposes, all the concepts and principles apply equally to other generative AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, or Claude. Throughout the course, we provide examples for both ChatGPT and Copilot, so you can easily adapt what you learn to the platform your organisation supports.
Is it only for people in Australia?
No, this course is open to anyone, no matter their location or nationality. While we expect most participants will be located across Australia, we’re looking forward to people from New Zealand and other countries joining in. We’ve scheduled the live sessions at 11:30 am AEDT to accommodate as many time zones as possible.
Can I register multiple people from my organisation at once?
Yes. Simply list all the participants’ names and email addresses in the appropriate fields of the registration form, and then provide the name and email address of the person making the booking in the final comments field, and the tax invoice will be sent to them.
Are places limited?
Yes. To make the workshop engaging and worthwhile, participant numbers are capped. This ensures plenty of opportunity for discussion and interaction with the trainers.
How is the workshop delivered?
The session is delivered live via Zoom. You’ll take part in interactive discussions and activities, with practical examples you can apply immediately in your work.
Do I need any special software or account?
No special software or account is required. You’ll receive a Zoom link by email before the workshop—just click to join. Please check beforehand that you have the latest version of Zoom installed on your computer.
What is the cost?
The registration fee is A$350 ex GST.
How can I pay?
We prefer payment by bank transfer, as this avoids processing costs. However, for your convenience, you can also pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) through our secure Stripe payment gateway.
Are there any extra fees?
Only when paying by credit card, as Stripe charges a small processing fee that is automatically added to your total. For Australian cards, this is 1.7% + A$0.30 (inc GST). For international cards, this is 3.5% + A$0.30 (ex GST). These charges are passed on at cost so that we receive the full workshop or course amount. The total payable is displayed clearly before you confirm payment.
Why do you pass on Stripe fees?
As a small business, we prefer to keep our standard prices as low as possible and only recover processing costs from those choosing to pay by card. Paying by bank transfer avoids these fees entirely.
Is my payment secure?
Yes. All card payments are encrypted and processed securely by Stripe, a PCI-compliant global payment provider. We do not store or have access to your credit-card details.
How do I register?
Click the link below to secure your spot.
What if I can’t attend at that date and time?
If the scheduled date for this course doesn’t suit you, simply add your details to this form and we’ll let you know when the course is next offered.
Are refunds available?
We offer refunds up to seven days before the course date; after that point, refunds aren’t available. If something comes up within those final seven days, another person from your organisation is welcome to attend in your place at no additional cost. To arrange this, just email us the full name, role, and contact details of the substitute attendee and we’ll update the registration.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email us: info@enablersofchange.com.au. We’re here to help!