AI in East Asian Studies Workshop
Ohio State University, April 2026
Disclaimer: Kwok-leong Tang and the Digital China Initiative (Harvard University) have no financial interest in, nor receive compensation from, any of the tools, models, or software used in this workshop. References to specific products (LM Studio, Ollama, Antigravity, Claude Code) are for research and educational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement by Harvard University.
Workshop Overview
This full-day workshop introduces generative AI concepts and hands-on practices for East Asian Studies scholars. Participants explore the nature and limitations of large language models, practice prompt engineering with local models, build applications through vibe coding, and learn agentic approaches to humanities research.
Schedule
| Time | Session | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30–10:30 | Session 1: Why GenAI for Humanities Studies | Slides |
| 10:45–12:00 | Session 2: Hands-on Practice with LM Studio | Notes |
| 1:00–2:30 | Session 3: Introduction to Vibe Coding | Notes |
| 3:00–4:30 | Session 4: Agentic Approaches to Humanities Research | Notes |
Pre-Workshop Preparation
Please install the required software before the workshop:
Session Details
Session 1: Why GenAI for Humanities Studies
An introduction to essential concepts about large language models. Topics include the history of AI from ImageNet to ChatGPT to AI agents, the jagged frontier of LLM capabilities, why AI matters for humanities research (OCR improvements, vibe coding), the restructuring of the division of labor, and a data-driven look at AI energy consumption in context.
Session 2: Hands-on Practice with LM Studio
A hands-on session where participants work with local LLMs using LM Studio. Topics include what generative AI is (prediction!), the nature and limitations of LLMs, prompt engineering essentials, use cases for East Asian Studies, and context-based solutions including RAG and tool use.
Session 3: Introduction to Vibe Coding
Participants learn to build applications by describing what they want in natural language. Topics include what vibe coding is, an introduction to Google Antigravity, and two live demos: building a personal website and creating a data dashboard from a real-world dataset.
Session 4: Agentic Approaches to Humanities Research
An exploration of how AI agents can support ongoing research workflows. Topics include the LLM Wiki as a new pattern for knowledge management, and a hands-on exercise building an AI Learning Collection with Antigravity.