AI for Absolute Beginners

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A two-evening course · one booking covers both nights

Evening 1

Tuesday 13 October

6pm – 8pm
Matatiki Hornby Centre

Evening 2

Tuesday 20 October

6pm – 8pm
Matatiki Hornby Centre

Cost

$48

per person

Over two relaxed group sessions in Christchurch we cover all the basics to get you understanding and using AI, with plenty of Q&A time and hands-on use.

Sound familiar?

  • Everyone keeps saying “AI” and you’re nodding along.
  • Your kids say “just ask ChatGPT” and then walk off.
  • You’d like to try it but you’re worried you’ll break something, or get scammed, or look silly.
  • You’ve opened it once, stared at the empty box, and closed it again.
  • You’re worried about what this technology means for you and want to get a better understanding.
  • You have lots of questions and confusion but no one spends the time to answer those.

What we’ll cover

  1. What the hell is AI?

    Evening one

    • What AI actually is, in plain English.
    • All the words you keep hearing, decoded: ChatGPT, Claude, “prompt”, “chatbot”, “the cloud”.
    • Why it’s suddenly everywhere, and what it’s genuinely good and bad at.
    • How to stay safe: spotting scams, what not to type in, what it gets wrong.
    • Privacy: what happens to what you type in, and how to keep your personal information yours.
    • Then a Q&A time where I answer your questions. You can send questions in before, or ask them on the night.
  2. Setting up your account

    Evening two

    • We set up your free account together, on your own phone or laptop.
    • You start using AI and see how it can work for you.
    • Practical uses that can make your life easier, from booking holidays and understanding medical jargon to finding the right gift for kids or grandkids.
    • How to keep building your skills after the class ends.

Both evenings include free resources and follow-ups to ensure all questions are answered and you can keep feeling confident using the tools.

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Who’s teaching

Lizzy Leonard
Run by Lizzy Leonard

Hi, I’m Lizzy. I grew up in Ashburton, spent a few years overseas, then in the North Island, and now I call Christchurch home.

I’m currently using AI for up to 15 hours a day to build a business I’m working on. Before this I had a career in communications, taking complex ideas and making them into information people could understand. Over the years I’ve taught many people of varying ages how to use software programmes, and in recent times this has included AI.

The pace of technology is faster than it’s ever been and I don’t want anyone to feel left out or left behind, or worse, get scammed and lose their retirement savings.

Aside from AI and business I’m into hot air ballooning, martial arts and music. You might see me gigging at a local pub from time to time.

You can find me on LinkedIn.

The details

When
Evening 1: Tuesday 13 October 2026 · Evening 2: Tuesday 20 October 2026 · 6pm – 8pm
Where
Matatiki Hornby Centre, Manawa Tahi room, 25 Smarts Road, Hornby. Free parking on site.
Bring
Something to take notes on, your phone, or a laptop if you have one. A charger. Your glasses. We’ll have some snacks available too.
Cost
$48 per person for both evenings.
Pay
Online by card when you book. If you’d rather pay by bank transfer, email lizzyexplains@gmail.com and I’ll book you in.

Questions people ask

I’ve never used ChatGPT. Am I too much of a beginner?

No. That’s the whole point. Evening 1 assumes you know nothing. If you’re already dabbling, you’ll still get a lot out of it.

Do I need to buy anything?

No. We use the free versions of these tools. You’ll need an email address; if you don’t have one, talk to me at the end of the first session and I can help you get sorted.

What if I can’t make one of the evenings?

The course is designed for you to get the best out of it by coming to both. If the timings don’t work at all you can either wait for the next course dates or book a 1:1 session with me.

Is AI safe? I’ve heard it lies.

Yes, it does sometimes, and it sounds just as confident when it’s wrong as when it’s right. That’s why Evening 1 spends real time on it: what it’s good at, what it gets wrong, how to check anything that matters, and what never to type into it. You’ll leave knowing when to trust it and when to double-check.

Can I bring my partner or a friend?

Yes, but you’ll need to book and pay for two spots. Learning together makes it stick.

What if I want more help afterwards?

I offer private one-to-one sessions. See “Private training” below.

How do I book if I don’t like paying online?

Email me at lizzyexplains@gmail.com. I’ll book you in and you can pay by bank transfer.

Want it just for you?

For some people a class isn’t the right fit. You’d rather sit at your own kitchen table and go at your own pace. I offer private one-to-one sessions from $110 an hour.

Find out about private sessions

Got a group? If you and a few friends, your club or your neighbours would like an evening of your own, email me about a group booking.

Know someone who’d love this?

Most people come with a friend, a sibling, or a neighbour. Send this page to them:

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Ready?

Two friendly evenings where you can ask anything about AI and get an answer.

Book my spot

Any question at all, email me at lizzyexplains@gmail.com.