CENTRAL FLORIDA — The AI Council today announced it will host “Ask the Experts: AI Q&A,” a free community session on Monday, October 12, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Seminole State College’s Lake Mary Campus. The event is an open discussion about what AI is, how it can help, and where it can cause harm, and is designed for anyone curious about AI, business, productivity, or simply getting started.
Rather than a traditional presentation, the session will center on open discussion and participants’ own questions, which can range from basic AI concepts to practical business and workplace applications. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions about getting started with AI; what tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot can actually do; using AI to save time and improve productivity; applying it to marketing, content creation, and repetitive business tasks; AI workflows and automation; concerns about privacy, accuracy, and responsible use; and how AI may apply to their specific industry or role.
Participants will also be invited to share how they currently use AI, what they are struggling with, and what they would like to learn. Those conversations will help the Council shape future programming around what the community is actually interested in.
“Everyone is being told AI will change their job, their business, or their kids’ future, but very few people have had a chance to sit down and actually talk it through. This session is that chance. Bring the questions you’ve been meaning to ask, and we’ll work through them together.”
— Brett Patterson, AI Council
How the Session Will Run
The event opens with a welcome and brief introduction, followed by conversation starters to get participants comfortable. The bulk of the session is devoted to open Q&A and discussion, before closing with a “what would you like us to cover next?” conversation and a preview of what the Council has planned. No technical background is required, and the session is open to all experience levels.
What Comes Next
The October 12 Q&A is the first step in a broader effort. In the months ahead, The AI Council plans to build on the questions raised at the opening session with The AI Series, a free, seven-part community education program that moves participants from “What is AI?” to building their own AI-assisted workflow. Future sessions are expected to cover the fundamentals of AI and generative AI, practical prompting techniques for better results, using tools like Claude, Gemini, and Copilot to reduce repetitive work, applying AI to small-business marketing and operations, responsible use around privacy, accuracy, and human oversight, and, for those ready to go further, a project-based class where participants leave with a completed workflow they can put to work immediately. Each session will run 45 minutes with time for discussion, most will include a hands-on activity, and no technical background will be required. Dates and topics will be announced at flaicouncil.org.
Part of a Growing Regional Effort
Launched in 2026 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, The AI Council serves as a regional economic development engine focused on Seminole County and the Lake Mary corridor, working to create high-value local jobs, help small and mid-sized businesses modernize, and build internship pipelines between institutions such as Seminole State College and UCF and regional employers. The November session builds on the Council’s earlier 2026 community events, including an August spotlight on drone startup Mayott Aerospace, a September SPACE Astra workshop, and the Council’s weekly Friday Morning Coffee Chat in Lake Mary.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Ask the Experts: AI Q&A
When: Monday, October 12, 2026 · 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM ET
Where: Seminole State College, Lake Mary Campus, V Building, Room 109 (room to be confirmed)
Cost: Free and open to the public
About the AI Council
The AI Council is a Seminole County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accelerates AI-driven growth in Central Florida by connecting businesses, students, and AI experts to create high-value jobs, modernize operations, and build a future-ready workforce. Learn more at flaicouncil.org.
www.flaicouncil.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Brett Patterson
Founder & CEO, Second Foundation AI | President, The AI Council
954-218-4690 | bpatterson@secondfoundationai.com
The AI Council
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Brett Patterson Founder
- September 30, 2026
- (954) 218-4690
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