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News Release

WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Announces New 2026 Dates For “Generative AI Essentials” Workshops - 02/26/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks has announced two new 2026 workshop dates for its high-demand professional development offering, “Generative AI Essentials: Workplace Applications and Ethical Use.” The hands-on workshop series is a cornerstone of Cougar Tracks’ growing AI literacy portfolio, designed to help organizations across the Tri-Cities—from small businesses to large enterprises—adopt generative AI tools responsibly, practically and with confidence.

 

New 2026 workshop dates are scheduled for:

  • March 19, 2026
  • May 18, 2026

“AI adoption isn’t just about access to tools—it’s about building user confidence, digital fluency and ethical decision-making,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities. “Cougar Tracks is building a practical, workforce-ready AI literacy portfolio that meets people where they are and helps them apply GenAI immediately—through hands-on lab work, real workplace scenarios and clear guidance on responsible use.”

 

Led by Dr. Neelam Chahlia, the three-hour, interactive workshop is designed to clearly demonstrate the strengths and shortcomings of generative AI while enhancing participants’ ability to use AI tools safely and effectively. Participants will engage in guided exercises and applied “lab-style” practice to learn core prompting techniques; explore productivity use cases; and identify risks and guardrails related to cybersecurity, data privacy and ethical decision making.

 

What participants can expect

The workshop emphasizes practical application and responsible use, with a focus on:

  • Hands-on lab work using GenAI tools for workplace productivity and problem solving.
  • Prompt writing fundamentals to improve output quality and reliability.
  • Real-world scenarios and case examples relevant across business sectors.
  • Ethics, privacy and cybersecurity considerations to support safe adoption.
  • Actionable takeaways participants can use immediately with their teams.

Cougar Tracks’ AI literacy portfolio is being developed to support organizations at every stage of adoption—whether they are exploring GenAI for the first time or working to align emerging tools with organizational policy, compliance and culture.

 

Registration and availability

Seats are limited. Organizations are encouraged to enroll early and consider sending teams to accelerate adoption and promote shared learning. Additional 2026 workshop dates may be offered based on demand.

 

Program details and workshop registration links are available on the WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks website at: tricities.wsu.edu/continuing-education

 

About Cougar Tracks
Cougar Tracks is the continuing education and workforce development arm of Washington State University Tri-Cities. Through industry-driven programs, community partnerships and accessible learning opportunities, Cougar Tracks connects education to real-world impact—supporting professionals, businesses and communities across the Tri-Cities region.

WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks Announces New 2026 Dates For “Generative AI Essentials” Workshops - 02/26/26

RICHLAND, Wash. — Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks has announced two new 2026 workshop dates for its high-demand professional development offering, “Generative AI Essentials: Workplace Applications and Ethical Use.” The hands-on workshop series is a cornerstone of Cougar Tracks’ growing AI literacy portfolio, designed to help organizations across the Tri-Cities—from small businesses to large enterprises—adopt generative AI tools responsibly, practically and with confidence.

 

New 2026 workshop dates are scheduled for:

  • March 19, 2026
  • May 18, 2026

“AI adoption isn’t just about access to tools—it’s about building user confidence, digital fluency and ethical decision-making,” said Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, director of Cougar Tracks at WSU Tri-Cities. “Cougar Tracks is building a practical, workforce-ready AI literacy portfolio that meets people where they are and helps them apply GenAI immediately—through hands-on lab work, real workplace scenarios and clear guidance on responsible use.”

 

Led by Dr. Neelam Chahlia, the three-hour, interactive workshop is designed to clearly demonstrate the strengths and shortcomings of generative AI while enhancing participants’ ability to use AI tools safely and effectively. Participants will engage in guided exercises and applied “lab-style” practice to learn core prompting techniques; explore productivity use cases; and identify risks and guardrails related to cybersecurity, data privacy and ethical decision making.

 

What participants can expect

The workshop emphasizes practical application and responsible use, with a focus on:

  • Hands-on lab work using GenAI tools for workplace productivity and problem solving.
  • Prompt writing fundamentals to improve output quality and reliability.
  • Real-world scenarios and case examples relevant across business sectors.
  • Ethics, privacy and cybersecurity considerations to support safe adoption.
  • Actionable takeaways participants can use immediately with their teams.

Cougar Tracks’ AI literacy portfolio is being developed to support organizations at every stage of adoption—whether they are exploring GenAI for the first time or working to align emerging tools with organizational policy, compliance and culture.

 

Registration and availability

Seats are limited. Organizations are encouraged to enroll early and consider sending teams to accelerate adoption and promote shared learning. Additional 2026 workshop dates may be offered based on demand.

 

Program details and workshop registration links are available on the WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks website at: tricities.wsu.edu/continuing-education

 

About Cougar Tracks
Cougar Tracks is the continuing education and workforce development arm of Washington State University Tri-Cities. Through industry-driven programs, community partnerships and accessible learning opportunities, Cougar Tracks connects education to real-world impact—supporting professionals, businesses and communities across the Tri-Cities region.