In a rapidly shifting media landscape, professionals and organizations must stay ahead by leveraging Artificial Intelligence to create impactful digital media content at scale. This hands-on, introductory-level masterclass provides a crash course in the latest AI tools and techniques for text, image, animation, video, music, and voice generation.
Participants will discover how cutting-edge solutions like MidJourney, Runway, ElevenLabs, and Udio and a selection of state-of-the art AI tools for creative production can streamline their creative processes—unlocking new levels of speed, quality, and cost-efficiency. Drawing on Dr. Striker’s extensive teaching experience (including NU-Q’s undergraduate Digital Media Design sequence), the course highlights best practices for prompt engineering, iterative prototyping, and ethical considerations in AI-assisted production. By week’s end, participants will have developed, refined, and presented an original AI-driven digital media project, ready for real-world application in marketing, communications, entertainment, or personal creative endeavors.
This masterclass is ideal for:
Corporate and Public Sector Communication Professionals seeking AI-powered content strategies.
Marketing & Branding Teams looking to generate engaging multimedia assets on tight timelines.
Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners eager to produce high-quality, low-cost digital media campaigns.
Creative Enthusiasts & Beginners exploring AI tools to spark new levels of innovation.
No prior knowledge of AI, production software, or programming is required.
Format: Interactive seminars + workshop-style labs each day.
9:00 –11:00 a.m. Live demos, interactive lectures, and guided practice.
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Open studio lab time for hands-on project work, with one-on-one coaching, feedback, and creative critique.
Day 1 (Foundations and Ideation) April 26, 2026
Overview of AI in creative production: Key trends and capabilities
Introduction to prompt engineering principles
Ethical considerations in generative AI
Hands-on with MidJourney for image generation
Day 2 (Animation and Video) April 27, 2026
Exploring Runway’s AI video editing and animation features
Integrating text-to-image workflows into short video segments
Open lab challenge: Animate a short concept sequence
Day 3 (Voice and Audio) April 28, 2026
AI-generated voice acting with ElevenLabs
Introduction to AI music composition using Udio
Mixing voice and music in simple video editing software
Open lab challenge: Synthesize an audio-rich micro-story
Day 4 (Refinement and Advanced Techniques) April 29, 2026
Deepening proficiency in selected AI tools
Strategies for maintaining brand consistency, style guides
Exploration of advanced or emerging AI platforms (e.g. 3D)
Iterative feedback sessions on individual/team projects
Day 5 (Final Production and Showcase) April 30, 2026
Finalizing the AI-driven media project
Presentation and critique of group or individual deliverables
Discussion of next steps, trends, and continuous learning
Software Requirements & Setup
MidJourney (subscription approx. $10/month)
Runway ML (create a free account)
ElevenLabs (AI-generated voice)
Udio (AI music generation)
A modern computer with webcam, mic, reliable internet, and a preferred video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or iMovie).
We offer pre-course support to help participants create accounts and install the necessary tools, helping make sure everyone starts Day 1 ready to experiment.
Upon successful completion, participants will:
Confidently leverage AI for producing professional-quality digital media assets.
Develop repeatable workflows to generate cost-effective, on-demand creative content.
Stay current on emerging AI developments and best practices for ethical, responsible use.
Take away a portfolio-ready final project that demonstrates real-world AI application.
The course fee is $1,400 USD (QAR 5,096.00) per participant. The fee includes hospitality service. Participation requires payment in full via Eventbrite at the time of registration. Alternatively, payment can be made at the NU-Q bookstore. Please contact amadou@northwestern.edu to arrange for the payment at the NU-Q bookstore.
Refunds are provided on the following basis:
100% refund or postponement if cancelled/notified 28 days prior to course commencement.
75% refund or postponement if cancelled/notified 14 days prior to course commencement.
50% refund if cancelled 7 days prior to course commencement.
25% refund if cancelled 48 hours prior to course commencement.
0% refund if cancelled less than 48 prior to course commencement or no show.
Participants who cancel enrolment can choose to transfer the paid fee to a future masterclass rather than receive a refund. Should the course fees differ, participants will receive a refund on the difference or make an additional ‘top-up’ payment.
A 15% discount is offered for Qatar Foundation and university employees in Education City, as well as EC alumni. Northwestern Qatar Executive Education required participants to attend 90% of the course to get a certificate of participation/completion.
