Artificial intelligence has become a loud word—overused, under-explained, and often framed as a threat rather than a tool. This seminar reframes AI as a set of understandable components that designers and architects can interrogate, adapt, and shape. Participants will move past fear-based narratives by breaking AI systems into their functional parts, examining how bias, authorship, and power show up in those parts, and learning how to align AI tools with their own expertise rather than surrendering agency to them. The course emphasizes equity, durability of skills, and professional relevance beyond hype cycles. Deliverables/Outcomes: A component map of an AI system relevant to the participant’s field, An evaluation checklist for equitable AI tool use, A practice-specific concept for an AI-assisted workflow or tool. Intended Audience: Architects, designers, technologists, and allied professionals interested in understanding AI beyond surface-level adoption. No prior technical background required.