UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Community development and planning professionals looking for a practical introduction to generative artificial intelligence can attend an upcoming Penn State Extension land-use webinar — regardless of prior experience with AI.
James Ladlee, Penn State Extension state program leader for emerging and advanced technology, and John Turack, community and economic development extension program specialist, will speak at the webinar occurring at noon Nov. 19.
Generative AI is rapidly transforming how organizations communicate, plan and engage, organizers noted.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of what generative AI is and isn’t, explore real-world examples of how it can support everyday tasks such as drafting content or creating visuals, and learn simple tools and prompt writing strategies to help them get started or enhance their current skills.
The session will emphasize the ethical and responsible use of AI, highlight both its opportunities and limitations, and stress the importance of keeping human judgment central to the AI conversation. Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately in their work.
The webinar is part of Penn State Extension’s Summer/Fall Land-Use Webinar Series, which is aimed at helping community leaders navigate land-use challenges, with topics ranging from small farm economics and green infrastructure to solar development trends and artificial intelligence in planning.
The series began Aug. 6 and runs monthly through November. Sessions feature Penn State experts and guest speakers discussing timely issues affecting municipal officials, planners, landowners and community organizations.
Each 75-minute session is recorded and made available to registrants for six months. Other programs in the series include:
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Aug. 6: “The Economic Impact of Small Farms: What it Means for Community Plans and Planners” (recorded).
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Aug. 20: “Local Ordinances and Green Infrastructure in Pennsylvania” (recorded).
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Sept. 17: “Current Pennsylvania Solar Development Trends: Update for Municipal Leaders” (recorded).
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Oct. 15: “Stormwater Management Planning and Community Trees — Green Infrastructure for the Future” (recorded).
Penn State Extension is offering the series in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.
Registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar.
Pending approval, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association will offer professional credits to registered landscape architects or professional planners with the American Institute of Certified Planners. Participants can earn 1.25 credits for each webinar or 6.25 credits for attending the full series.
The cost of the webinar series is $50 for all five sessions, or $95 for all five sessions for those who want to receive AICP certification-maintenance credits from the American Planning Association. In addition, registered landscape architects can receive continuing-education credits for a fee of $65.
For anyone interested in a particular topic from the series, individual session registration is available for a fee of $15 per session. Those needing assistance can access a scholarship option.
For more information, contact John Turack at 724-837-1402 or by email at jdt15@psu.edu. To register for the webinar, visit the Penn State Extension website.