AI for the Workplace : Agentic AI and Workflow Automation

What is the course about?

This practical one-day course explores the next stage of workplace AI: moving beyond individual prompts to create systems that can plan tasks, use tools, process information and complete multi-step workflows.

You will examine the idea of agentic AI and learn how it differs from familiar conversational AI tools. Through demonstrations and guided exercises, you will identify suitable opportunities for automation and develop simple workflows for activities such as researching, organising information, producing documents, managing routine processes and passing information between applications.

The course will introduce both no-code automation platforms and the agent-building features increasingly available within mainstream AI tools. We will also consider the risks of giving AI greater autonomy, including errors, privacy, security and the need for appropriate human oversight.

What will we cover?

• The difference between generative AI, automation and agentic AI.
• How AI agents plan tasks, make decisions, use tools and take actions.
• Examples of agentic AI and workflow automation in the workplace.
• Identifying repetitive, time-consuming or multi-step tasks suitable for automation.
• Breaking a workplace process into triggers, actions, decisions and outputs.
• Designing workflows involving AI, documents, email, spreadsheets and other applications.
• Using no-code tools to create simple AI-assisted automations.
• Creating clear instructions, rules and constraints for an AI agent.
• Using structured information and reusable templates within workflows.
• Testing workflows and identifying errors, exceptions and unintended results.
• Deciding where human review and approval should be included.
• Privacy, confidentiality, security, bias and responsible automation.
• Evaluating whether an automated workflow is useful, reliable and worth adopting.
  

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Explain what agentic AI is and how it differs from conventional generative AI.
• Recognise workplace tasks that may benefit from AI-assisted automation.
• Map a workplace process as a sequence of triggers, actions, decisions and outputs.
• Design a simple automated workflow using AI and connected digital tools.
• Give an AI agent clear instructions, boundaries and completion criteria.
• Build or configure a basic no-code AI workflow.
• Test an automated process and improve it in response to errors or unexpected results.
• Identify stages at which human review, approval or intervention is required.
• Assess the privacy, security and ethical implications of an AI workflow.
• Make informed decisions about where agentic AI is, and is not, appropriate in the workplace.
  

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for learners who already have some experience of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. You should understand the basic idea of prompting and have used an AI tool to generate, edit or summarise content.

No programming experience is required. You should be confident using a computer, navigating websites, working with files and entering information into online applications.

The course is designed for people from a wide range of professional backgrounds. More experienced learners will be able to apply the activities to increasingly sophisticated workplace processes.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will combine tutor demonstrations, short explanations, guided practical exercises, discussion and individual workflow-design activities.

You will examine existing examples, map a workplace process and build or configure a simple AI-assisted automation.

Activities can be adapted to suit different occupations, interests and levels of technical experience. There is no compulsory work outside the class, although you will be encouraged to continue developing and testing your workflow afterwards.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional course costs. You will need access to an email address and may be asked to create or sign in to free accounts for one or more AI or automation services. Some platforms may offer optional paid features, but a paid subscription is not required for the course.

Computers and internet access will be provided. You may bring your own laptop if you prefer, together with its charger.

Please do not bring, upload or connect confidential, commercially sensitive or personally identifiable workplace information. Sample information will be provided for practical exercises.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offers a variety of progression courses in this subject area. Please click here to view our courses.

Disclaimer: Use of Third-Party Software

AI tools (such as Gemini, Google AI Studio, ChatGPT, etc.) can be valuable for learning and productivity. However, many of these services-particularly those offered free of charge-may use the information you input, along with generated responses, to train and improve their models.

City Lit does not support, control or accept responsibility for these tools. Students should use personal email addresses when signing up for any software and are advised to review the provider’s privacy policy and terms of use to understand how their data is collected, processed, stored, and shared.

We do not recommend inputting sensitive, confidential, or personal information into these tools unless you have reviewed the product’s terms and conditions and are confident that its privacy and security measures meet your requirements.

• Examples of sensitive information include:
  • Personal information
  • Student information
  • Confidential information
  • Sensitive information
  • Information about other people without their consent

Please also refer to our City Lit policies