Artificial Intelligence (AI)
March 4, 2026 - April 29, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST
About the Series
Join peers, recovery leaders, and community professionals for an 8-part interactive learning experience designed to help the peer recovery community explore AI in a safe, human-centered way.
This 8-part interactive series equips peer-run organizations and recovery leaders with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly and effectively. Participants will build a foundational understanding and gain practical tools to strengthen advocacy, support program development, and enhance recovery planning while focusing on ethics and privacy.
Meet the Facilitator
Dr Robert D. Ashford
Dr. Robert D. Ashford, PhD, MSW, is a recovery scientist, technologist, and person with lived experience. As the Executive Director of Unity Recovery, he sits at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into community-based care. Robert is a leading voice on the ethical adoption of AI in the behavioral health sector, advocating for a "human-in-the-loop" approach that uses technology to reduce administrative burden and amplify the authentic peer voice. He is the lead facilitator for this CARS national training series.
Reserve Your Spot
This is a fully online, interactive event, and space is limited.
Register Now!
Session Schedule & Topics
Session 1
March 4, 2026, AI 101: Demystifying the Machine + Intro to Org AI Policy
Participants will learn to define AI/GenAI in accessible peer-focused language. The speaker will address fears realistically: job loss, surveillance, loss of peer voice, establish “augmentation not automation", and introduce why peer-run orgs need AI use policies and what they should protect.
Session 2
March 11, 2026, The Peer’s Assistant: Admin, Ops, and Burnout Reduction
During this session, the speaker will identify AI uses that reduce peer administrative load without eroding relationships. Participants will learn safe AI assistance for: scheduling, recap notes, summarizing reports, drafting emails, and organizing resource lists. Participants will also practice “peer voice editing” to ensure outputs remain non-stigmatizing and responsive.
Session 3
March 18, 2026, Prompt Engineering for Recovery Support
During this session, the speaker will teach participants structured prompting and recovery-oriented “personas" and how to improve reliability and reduce hallucinations through better prompts. Participants will practice iterative prompting + verification in peer scenarios.
Session 4
March 25, 2026, Content & Advocacy: Amplifying the Peer Voice
Participants will learn to use AI to support advocacy and communication: newsletters, social posts, community alerts, policy letters, and event materials. Participants will also learn to maintain authenticity and prevent “sterile AI voice". Participants will explore immersive story-building in Recovery Verse for outreach.
Session 5
April 8, 2026, Program Development & Workforce Training with AI
Participants will learn to apply AI to brainstorm and structure peer programs, groups, and training. Participants will learn to develop pro-social activities and workshop concepts that are inclusive and trauma-informed. Participants will also learn to use AI for continuous workforce learning without replacing peer mentorship.
Session 6
April 15, 2026, Ethics, Bias, Digital Divide, and Verification Culture
Participants will learn about algorithmic bias and stigma risks in recovery contexts, recognize variability in access, and prevent new barriers. Participants will build a verification habit: triangulation, context checks, and peer review.
Session 7
April 22, 2026, Safety First: Privacy, Compliance, and Recovery Planning Lab
Participants will learn strict confidentiality boundaries for AI use (HIPAA/42 CFR Part 2). Participants will learn to finalize the organization’s AI use policy components. Participants will also practice AI-assisted recovery planning with pro-social activity/workshop development, SMART goal writing, and stigma-free recovery plan crafting.
Session 8
April 29, 2026, The Future of Peer Support + Implementation Roadmaps + Toolkit Launch
Participants will explore emerging AI trends affecting peers (virtual support, simulations, system risks). Participants will also create personal and organizational AI upskilling plans and finalize implementation of roadmaps for safe adoption. The speaker will deliver and orient the participants to the AI toolkit.
Reserve Your Spot
This is a fully online, interactive event, and space is limited.