AI Fundamentals for Rural Communities

A half-day workshop for rural businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders.

Date
2026-06-22
Time
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location
Kendall Mountain Recreation Center, Silverton, Colorado
Cost
$50
Capacity
30

Why Attend

If you are wearing every hat in a small business, or trying to do more with a tight budget at a local nonprofit or government agency, this workshop is for you.

Who Should Attend

  • Small Business Owners, Restaurants & Hospitality
  • Farmers & Ranchers
  • City & County Staff
  • Nonprofit Managers
  • Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Professionals

What You’ll Walk Away With

  • A Clear Picture of AI: What it actually is, what it does well, and where it falls short in a rural context.
  • Practical Skills: Hands-on experience using real AI tools on daily, real-world tasks.
  • AI Decision Confidence: The foundation to know whether to adopt a tool, push back on a vendor, or ask the right questions.
  • A Personal 30-Day Action Plan: A simple, realistic checklist tailored to your specific organizational needs.

Workshop Agenda

8:00–8:30 AM
Opening Welcome
Introductions and setting expectations.
8:30–9:15 AM
Module 1: What Is AI, and Why Now?
AI explained in plain terms with real examples from businesses just like yours.
9:15–10:15 AM
Module 2: What AI Can Do
A practical look at the four roles AI can play in your day-to-day work, including live demos.
10:25–11:15 AM
Module 3: Your Turn – Hands-On Practice
The heart of the workshop. Bring your own challenges and practice using AI tools live.
11:15–11:45 AM
Module 4: Building Your Action Plan
Map out your concrete next steps and learn how to evaluate AI tools before spending money.
11:45 AM–12:00 PM
Closing & Next Steps
Open Q&A and how to stay connected with the CRAI community.

How to Prepare

“Just come ready to work on something real — the more specific your challenge, the more useful the workshop will be.”

  1. Set up an AI account before arriving (paid plan ~$20/mo recommended). Options: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude
  2. Bring a real challenge: Identify 1–2 bottlenecks you face.
  3. Bring a long document: Any report, form, or policy you’ve been meaning to make sense of.
  4. Know where you’re stretched thin: Identify which tasks drain the most of your time.

Reserve Your Spot

Fill out the form below to complete your registration for this workshop.

Which AI tool will you set up before arriving?

A one-time donation of $50 on top of completing this form is required to confirm your registration.