Academic students and recent graduates who are curious and excited to explore AI
Grow Your AI Skills With SAS
Ready to validate your foundational AI skills? Join Cat Truxillo, Director of Advanced Analytics Education at SAS, and Ari Zitin, Principal Analytical Training Consultant at SAS, for an engaging session designed to help you confidently prepare for the AI Foundations Knowledge Badge — a globally recognized SAS credential that demonstrates your understanding of generative AI, responsible innovation, and trustworthy AI practices.
Who should attend?
This two-hour workshop blends practical demos, guided instruction, and expert insights to help you understand essential AI concepts — no prior experience required.
Business professionals aiming to make smarter, data-driven decisions
Anyone ready to build confidence in the fundamentals of analytics and AI
Anyone preparing for the SAS AI Foundations Knowledge Badge
What you'll learn
In this workshop, Cat and Ari will break down what the badge assesses, including core concepts in Generative AI, its capabilities and limitations, and the principles of Responsible Innovation and Trustworthy AI — from identifying unwanted bias to applying ethical frameworks in real-world AI systems. You’ll also get a high-level walkthrough of the two SAS training courses that directly prepare you for the assessment:
Why earn this badge?
- Stay relevant as AI becomes essential across roles and industries
- Prove your AI knowledge with a trusted, shareable SAS credential
- Get confident in AI concepts without needing technical expertise
- Increase your professional value by understanding AI’s business impact
Whether you're designing, using, or monitoring AI systems, this session will help you understand what to expect on the open‑book assessment and how to focus your study time. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap for earning the badge and showcasing your AI readiness.
Workshop Speakers
Cat Truxillo
Director, Advanced Analytics Education
SAS
Catherine (Cat) Truxillo, PhD, is the Director of Advanced Analytics in the Customer Success Division at SAS, where she has worked for over 20 years. Her areas of expertise include generalized linear mixed models, multivariate statistics, building and leading analytics teams, communication in data science and predictive modeling in business applications. She holds numerous industry expert-level certifications, including the INFORMS Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), AI and Machine Learning Professional Using SAS and SAS Certified Data Scientist.
Ari Zitin
Principal Analytical Training Consultant
SAS
Ari Zitin is a Principal Analytical Training Consultant at SAS, where he helps learners develop advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI skills with confidence. With academic roots in physics and mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduate study in physics at UC Berkeley, Ari brings deep technical knowledge to his teaching. At SAS, he has created courses that combine Python programming with SAS analytical procedures and leads workshops on machine learning, AI, and model interpretability.
Workshop FAQs
Will I earn the AI Foundations Knowledge Badge just by attending this workshop?
No. Attending the workshop does not automatically earn you a badge by itself. The workshop is designed to help you build foundational knowledge and prepare for the AI Foundations Knowledge Badge assessment.
Is this AI Foundations workshop free?
Yes. The workshop and the courses that will be highlighted to prepare you to earn the badge are free.
Will a recording be available if I can’t attend live?
Yes. The workshop will be recorded, so registered attendees can watch it afterward if they are unable to attend live.
Is this workshop enough to fully prepare me for the AI Foundations Knowledge Badge assessment?
Not by itself. This workshop covers key badge topics and helps you understand what to study, but most learners should continue with the recommended training before taking the assessment.
Do I need prior AI experience to attend?
No prior AI experience is required. The workshop is designed for beginners and other learners who want to build confidence in foundational AI and analytics concepts.
What should I do after the workshop if I want to earn the badge?
After the workshop, continue with the recommended training courses and review the badge topics before taking the assessment.
