Learning AI with Wes Fryer

Welcome to my space for collecting and sharing AI-related learning. Be sure to also check out my blog posts about AI.

Let's connect and learn more together! (Last updated 7 June 2025)

Carolina Umami Chicken Skewers (7 June 2025)

"Carolina Umami Chicken Skewers" (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

A recipe collaboration with ChatGPT 4o

This flavorful recipe for Carolina Umami Chicken Skewers was inspired in part by an AI collaboration with ChatGPT, which helped me fine-tune the marinade and veggie glaze using ingredients I had on hand. I was also encouraged by a recent episode of the Hard Fork podcast, which discussed how professional chefs are increasingly turning to AI for creative inspiration—a trend even highlighted in the New York Times article, “This Year’s Hot New Tool for Chefs? ChatGPT.” The key to this recipe’s success is bold umami flavor paired with grilled seasonal veggies, and careful attention to doneness: you don’t want to overcook the chicken, so aim for about 30 minutes at 350°F on a wood pellet smoker. If your chicken cubes are on the thicker side, it may take closer to 40–45 minutes—this is why a meat thermometer is essential. These quantities work perfectly for two people, each with a generous skewer.

Why Regulate AI? (20 March 2025)

Why Regulate AI? (March 2025) by wesfryer.com

An audio recording of the first 30 minutes of this presentation is available via Spotify.

Description: Why should we regulate artificial intelligence? This was the question we tackled at the Thursday evening discussion group at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, Kansas, on March 20, 2025. This presentation and conversation was shared by Wes Fryer of Charlotte, North Carolina, a 1988 graduate of Manhattan High School and current middle school and high school computer science teacher. We explored government regulation more broadly, considering the different kinds of things we generally acknowledge government should regulate, and acknowledged the widespread hostile sentiments in the United States today against regulation overall. After sharing a couple book recommendations, we explored the definition of "artificial general intelligence," who some of the primary players are in the AI competition today, and finally why many people believe it is important to try and regulate AI with different kinds of guardrails. ⁠Slides for this presentation are available⁠ and also linked on ⁠ai.wesfryer.com⁠.

AI Magic Tricks (18 March 2025)

AI Magic Tricks (March 2025) by wesfryer.com

A presentation at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community on March 18, 2025.

Slides

Sharing Mastodon Lists (31 Jan 2025)

Blog Post Description

I am a BIG fan of the federated social media platform Mastodon, and this evening I used Claude.ai to generate code in an HTML file which allows me to quickly share my LISTS on Mastodon with others. Unlike Twitter, lists on Mastodon are PRIVATE and not directly sharable with others. I spent some time both Googling and using AI tools to try and find a simple and quick way to share Mastodon lists, but didn’t find any solutions that looked good. So I decided to code my own… but ONLY because I’m now able to code with AI.

(read the full post)

Creating a Middle School Web Design Syllabus with ChatGPT (8 Jan 2025)

Description

In this video, Wes Fryer demonstrates how he uses AI, specifically ChatGPT, to streamline the creation of a syllabus for his middle school web design class. On January 8, 2025, Wes shows the process of integrating data from an exported Canvas course and an existing syllabus to format a new, customized syllabus. He highlights the ease and time-saving benefits of this approach, providing a step-by-step walkthrough of uploading course materials and using ChatGPT's interactive web document feature to draft the syllabus. Wes concludes by sharing his plans to finalize the syllabus and utilize it within his Canvas course.

(Fun fact: I used Descript.com's "Studio Sound" and "Overlord" AI feature to improve the audio and SLIGHTLY edit this video. Access the #NoEdit version (an unlisted video) and compare the difference!)

Using AI to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner (27 Nov 2024)

Video: 19 min

Description

Get ready to revolutionize your Thanksgiving dinner prep with the power of AI! In this video, I share how I used ChatGPT and other tools to streamline my holiday cooking and planning process. From creating shopping lists to organizing a detailed cooking timeline, AI made everything easier and more efficient.

(More details and links to referenced websites / apps / tools in the YouTube video description.)

AI NotebookLM & Steven Johnson (7 Oct 2024)

Archived webinar: 44 min

AI NotebookLM & Steven Johnson (7 Oct 2024) by wesfryer.com

Webinar Slides

AI Helps Consumer Complaint Filing (28 Oct 2024)

On October 28, 2024, I recorded an 11 minute video sharing how I used AI (ChatGPT) to file a consumer complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners and the Better Business Bureau office serving Charlotte, North Carolina. Most of the archived ChatGPT conversation is available in this published Google Doc.

POWs and NotebookLM (18 Sept 2024)

In this blog post, Wes Fryer explores the powerful integration of AI tools, specifically Google NotebookLM and Descript, to enhance storytelling and historical research. He reflects on his 1991 research paper about American POWs in Southeast Asia and how modern AI technologies are enabling new ways to engage with and present complex historical narratives. Using AI-generated audio summaries, Fryer shares how these tools offer revolutionary advancements in communication, making it easier to create and share content. The post underscores the transformative impact of AI on both personal creativity and broader educational endeavors.