Using generative AI responsibly and proficiently at work
Using generative AI responsibly and proficiently at work
13 October 2026, 13h00 - 17h00
General context
Generative AI is reshaping how you work, create, and communicate. This training will strengthen your AI literacy and help you use tools like Copilot and other LLM-based chatbots confidently and responsibly in professional contexts. You will learn practical prompting techniques to make these tools support brainstorming, tone and style adjustments, content drafting, summarization, and even generating visual ideas.
This session also covers ethical considerations such as ownership, copyright, and bias, ensuring you can use AI technologies effectively while maintaining integrity.
- Describe strengths, weaknesses, and best practices in the use of LLMs
- Apply good practices to minimize biases and hallucinations in LLMs
- Use and adapt prompting strategies for brainstorming, steering writing styles, defining language complexity, content drafting, and summarization
- Discuss ethical implications, ownership and copyright of AI-generated content
- Evaluate quality and reliability of AI-generated content
- Create illustrations with generative AI tools
Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, you will explore the main strengths, limitations, and best practices for working with generative AI. This includes experimenting with AI tools, practicing effective prompt design, and evaluating generated content for quality and trustworthiness.
We welcome administrative personnel, support staff, and anyone who aims to improve understanding and use of generative AI. Given the high versatility of this technology, the workshop is structured as an interdisciplinary initiative and is open to all, regardless of their position or field of work.
No prior experience with generative AI is required.
This course is part of the learning path Basic research essentials.
AI methods used
The course focuses on generative AI based on large language models (LLMs) that produce outputs through probabilistic prediction from large datasets. It covers prompting as the core method of interaction, showing how prompt structure and context shape outputs, and highlights key limitations such as bias, hallucinations and variability.
Trainers
Jolan Heyse
Jolan Heyse is a trainer at VIB specializing in artificial intelligence and data science for life sciences. He holds a master's degree and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Ghent University, where his research focused on applying AI to EEG-based epilepsy diagnosis. Before joining VIB, Jolan worked as a data scientist at AZ Delta, developing AI applications for healthcare. His expertise includes machine learning, biomedical signal processing, Large Language Models (LLMs), and translating complex algorithms into practical tools for researchers. At VIB, he designs and delivers training programs to help scientists with data-driven methods.
Bruna Piereck
Bruna Piereck is a bioinformatics trainer at VIB and ELIXIR-BE training coordinator deputy. She obtained a Master and PhD degree in Molecular Genetics, with a focus on Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2019. During her PhD, she had the chance to collaborate with the university of Luxembourg and the McGill university in Quebec Canada for a short time. Ever since she has been involved with teaching and research and Since March 2022, she joined VIB with the mission of teaching and assist other trainers in a variety of topics.
Practical info
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
13 October 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.