KI-ne Panik: Understanding AI and Using It Effectively in Professional Life

Artificial intelligence has already become part of everyday life for many people. The key question is no longer whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively. This was the focus of the “KI-ne Panik” workshop held by the Safavi Impact Institute on 10 September 2026 with 21 participants.

Trainer Martin Höffinger combined a basic technical understanding of AI with concrete applications. The workshop began with an introduction to how tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini work: How do Large Language Models function? On what basis do they generate responses? And where are their limitations? Participants were also introduced to a range of current AI tools and compared their potential uses.

A key focus of the workshop was prompting. Using concrete examples, participants analysed why an AI tool can produce very different results depending on how a task is formulated and how prompts can be made more precise. They tested different prompting techniques and compared the results.

The workshop then moved into practical group work. In small groups, participants explored the use of AI in three areas: learning German, job applications and self-organisation. They developed their own ideas and tested them directly using different AI tools.

For language learning, the focus was on using AI as an individual conversation partner, adapting exercises to the learner’s language level, and specifically training vocabulary, listening comprehension and active speaking. In the area of job applications, participants explored how AI can support the analysis of job advertisements, the adaptation of application documents and preparation for job interviews. Another group examined how AI can help structure tasks, information and workflows more effectively.

At the end of the workshop, the groups presented their results and discussed different approaches. The session therefore went beyond an introduction to individual tools. Participants developed concrete methods that they can continue to use independently for learning German, searching for jobs and managing tasks in their professional lives.

The workshop is part of the labour-market-oriented programmes offered by the Safavi Impact Institute, which combine language skills, job application preparation and digital competencies.