Berkshire State of Work Summit AI for All: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

Berkshire State of Work Summit

Signature Series

AI for All

Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world at AI for All, the first session in ºìÐÓÖ±²¥'s new State of Work Summit Signature Series. This dynamic half-day event explores the essential concepts, tools, and real-world applications of AI — making this powerful technology understandable and useful for everyone.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Koussevitzky Lobby. Space is limited so get your tickets!

Nov. 19, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ All Rights Reserved
Registration Fee: $50

Contact Us

workforce@berkshirecc.edu
413-236-2115

ºìÐÓÖ±²¥ is committed to providing universal access to our events. Contact workforce@berkshirecc.edu to request disability accommodations.

What to Expect

  • Keynote: A big-picture look at how AI is transforming everyday life — changing how we live, learn and work
  • Breakout Sessions: Hands-on discussions led by experts exploring real-world applications of AI across multiple fields
  • Looking Ahead: Bring your questions and join an engaging discussion with our presenters
  • Summit Schedule

    Keynote

    Build Your AI Confidence. Help Your Business and Help Others.
    Speaker: Adam Graney

    Your AI journey begins with a simple spark of curiosity, an individual desire to understand a transformative technology and to empower yourself. In this keynote, we'll explore how embracing AI is not just about personal growth, but also about becoming the go-to resource for your network, helping others navigate their fears and questions. By educating yourself now, while you not only stay competitive in business, but also help ensure that AI's benefits are widely shared and fears are addressed. So, let's start now. Join us to become that trusted AI guide for yourself and those around you, and turn this journey into a shared path to knowledge and readiness.

    Breakout 1

    AI Demystified: Myths, Everyday Uses and Positive Impact
    Speaker: Gerol Petruzella

    Worried that AI will replace your job, or unsure whether to trust it? You're not alone, but the truth about AI might surprise you. In this engaging 45-minute workshop, you'll discover how AI is already working for you in everyday tools like Netflix, Google Maps, and your smartphone, and learn why it's best understood as a collaborator rather than a competitor. Through interactive activities and real-world success stories spanning healthcare, education, and environmental protection, you'll see AI's potential to enhance, not eliminate, human capability.

    Breakout 2

    Introduction to Prompts Without Tech
    Speaker: Fadia Rostom

    What if the secret to getting amazing results from AI has nothing to do with being "tech-savvy" and everything to do with how clearly you ask? In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, you'll discover why vague requests get vague results, and learn the simple SPARK framework that transforms basic questions into powerful prompts that deliver exactly what you need. Through real-world practice writing prompts for your actual work challenges, collaborative feedback sessions, and live demonstrations that's how the dramatic difference clarity makes, you'll build confidence communicating with AI tools. No technical background required, just bring the tasks you're working on this week and leave with practical skills you can use immediately.

    Breakout 3

    Mastering AI Workflows: Holistic Process and Strategic Tool Use
    Speaker: Adam Graney

    Are you getting mediocre results from AI and wondering why everyone else seems to be unlocking its full potential? The difference isn't the technology, it's the process. This power-packed session reveals the strategic framework that can transform AI from a basic question-answering tool into a productivity powerhouse. You'll learn when to use ChatGPT versus Claude versus Perplexity, master the art of structured prompting, discover time-saving techniques like dictation and meta-prompts, and avoid the four critical pitfalls that waste hours without better results. Whether you're a manager, team member, or entrepreneur you'll leave with actionable techniques to systematize repetitive tasks and leverage multi-model workflows that deliver better results.

    Looking Ahead

    What You Really Want to Know About AI - Answered Live
    Multiple speakers

    Curious about AI and have questions you really want answered by those in the know? At our fireside chat, a panel of AI thought leaders will dives straight into the questions you submitted when you registered. It's direct, it's practical, and it's your chance to get real insights from the people who are shaping our AI community. Don't miss out, this is your opportunity to have your most pressing AI questions answered by the experts.

  • Speaker: Amy Cowan

    Amy Cowan, Head of Business Development, Chillwall AI, is a strategic business leader with an engineering degree from McGill University and advanced studies at MIT and Harvard.

    At Chillwall AI, she helped launch QuestBoston, an AI-powered platform promoting local businesses and inclusive tourism across Boston’s 23 neighborhoods. Previously, she founded MavenChain, a blockchain recruiting firm. Passionate about democratizing AI, Amy works to ensure emerging technologies empower diverse communities and makes sure innovation benefits everyone.

    Amy Cowan
  • Speaker: Adam Graney

    At , Adam Graney transforms businesses by turning AI from overwhelming complexity into competitive advantage. With over 15 years of digital expertise and team management, plus three years specializing in AI integration since ChatGPT-3.5's launch, Adam is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor's in Communication and a minor in Marketing, plus a six-month full stack coding bootcamp. Adam specializes in comprehensive AI platform suites including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini (Google) and Perplexity. His clients see dramatic results: two to three hours saved weekly on workflows and research time cut by up to 90% — turning weeks of work into hours. He doesn't just implement AI tools, he architects tailored solutions that make every business operation smarter, faster, and more time-efficient.

    Adam Graney, Gold Flamingo AI Solutions
  • Speaker: Gerol Petruzella

    Gerol Petruzella, Ph.D., is an Academic Technology Consultant at Williams College. A Pittsfield native, for nearly a decade Gerol has been a contributor to AI projects in the areas of ethics, safety and alignment. Gerol was a signatory on the 2016 Future of Life Institute's "Autonomous Weapons: an Open Letter from AI & Robotics Researchers"; a member of a 2018 IEEE working group on ethically-aligned AI design; an invited participant in a 2024 NIST-sponsored AI red-teaming (ethical hacking) exercise to stress-test generative AI guardrails; and a 2025 co-author of Humanity's Last Exam, a genAI model benchmark by the Center for AI Safety. Gerol has maintained a commitment to engaging across the community on AI topics, from local TV, to academic conferences, to teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), to speaking at the Institute of Management Accountants Northeast Regional Council.

    Gerol Petruzella
  • Speaker: Fadia Rostom

    At , we believe that AI and technology are not threats to human potential—they're powerful amplifiers of it. In an era of rapid technological change, success isn't about replacing human skills with AI, but about empowering people to work alongside technology to achieve what neither could accomplish alone.

    Founded by Fadia Rostom, Vision Scholar bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI capabilities and real-world application through hands-on workshops, strategic planning, and ongoing support.

    With over 30 years of experience in education and organizational leadership, Fadia brings a unique perspective to AI integration. Holding degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology, along with a license as a leader in education, she combines deep technical knowledge with proven expertise in adult learning and organizational development.

    As an immigrant who has navigated multiple cultural and professional transitions, Fadia brings authentic understanding to the challenges of adaptation and growth. This perspective shapes Vision Scholar's compassionate, human-centered approach to technological transformation.

    Fadia Rostom