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AI for Research: Get Started Safely with AI Coding Agents (Chicago)

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Wieboldt Hall South Entrance, 421, 340 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 map it

Set up a coding agent securely and learn permissions, risks, and workflows with Claude Code or Codex.

Curious about working with AI coding agents but not sure how to get started safely? This hands-on workshop will guide you through setting up a coding agent (particularly Claude Code or OpenAI Codex) on your laptop or online with a strong emphasis on security, permissions, and risk management. We will briefly introduce what AI agents are and how they differ from chat-based tools, then quickly move into practical setup. You’ll walk through key configuration choices—such as file system access and permission scopes—and learn what those choices mean for your data and workflows. Through guided exercises, you’ll encounter realistic scenarios where agents request broader permissions and learn how to evaluate and respond appropriately. By the end of the session, you will have a working coding agent environment and a clearer understanding of how to use it safely.

Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with coding. If you want to work with these tools online instead of on your laptop, you’ll also need familiarity with git and GitHub. To work with these applications on your laptop, you’ll need admin permissions for installation, which you may need to request from the IT group managing your laptop. Participants must have a paid subscription to either Claude Code or OpenAI Codex (approximately $20).

Audience

  • Faculty/Staff
  • Student
  • Post Docs/Docs
  • Graduate Students

Contact

Leticia Vega
Email

Interest

  • Academic (general)
  • Data Science & AI

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