Workshop: Understanding GPTs

 Wednesday, 22 October 2025
 2:00 — 4:00 pm
 BR-151

This beginner-friendly workshop examines how GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) work, using text cut-up and collage techniques (drawn from literature and visual art) as a metaphor for the generative process. No prior technical knowledge is needed, making the session accessible to anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of generative technologies through creative practice.

Through a combination of practical exercises and guided discussion, participants will use GPT-based tools (e.g., ChatGPT, GPT4All) alongside physical cut-up and collage techniques to enhance their technical and critical understanding of how language models function, including their capabilities and limitations.

The workshop will also open up discussion on the opportunities and challenges of generative AI in higher education. Topics may include its potential to support creative thinking, assist with programming, enhance research and writing, and expand access to knowledge, alongside critical concerns such as bias, questions of authorship and academic integrity, privacy, environmental impact, misinformation, and the growing influence of tech corporations on education, creative practice and knowledge production.

You will learn how to:

• Explain how GPT-based tools generate natural and programming language by predicting and combining tokens (word fragments).
• Apply cut-up and collage techniques to explore and reflect on the process, capabilities and limitations of generative text technologies.
• Critically evaluate the social, ethical, and environmental implications of using large language models in educational, creative and everyday contexts.

Requirements: Laptops and collage materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own laptop with Google Chrome installed and Internet access.