AI Citizens Week 2: Open Models, Model Selection & API Fundamentals

Knowing how to prompt is the easy part. Knowing which model to reach for, what it costs you, and what should never go into it is where the real skill lives. This session covers open vs. closed models and what each one exposes about your privacy and control, plus the token economics behind every AI bill you'll ever see. You'll run a model-sizing exercise, sorting real tasks into "this needs an LLM" vs. "this is just a script," so you stop paying model prices for script-sized problems. No coding background needed. This is about literacy and judgment, not development mechanics. Part of the AI Architect Fellowship, a free program from 3percentclub for underrepresented builders in NYC. Joining virtually? Live stream: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83454908023 Applying to the fellowship gets you: Sign up: https://forms.fillout.com/t/p52mmdNs8jus