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FAQ

Questions people ask

Mostly asked at the door, in the first thirty seconds, by someone who is not sure they are allowed in.

  • When are you open?

    The Lab is open Tuesday 10am to 6pm, Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 11am to 3pm. Closed Monday and Sunday. During open hours you can walk in with no appointment and nothing to sign up for. Sessions with a limited number of seats are the exception, and each one says so on its own page.

  • Do I need to know anything about AI?

    No. Most people who walk in have never used any of it, and the sessions are built for that. If you can use a phone you can use the floor.

  • Does it cost anything?

    No. Everything at the Lab is free. There is nothing to buy here and nobody is selling you a subscription.

  • Do I have to register?

    Not for Walk-in Help, Office Hours or the Saturday Open House: walk in. Sessions with a seat count take an RSVP so we know how many chairs to put out.

  • Do I need to bring a laptop?

    Bring one if you have one, because you will leave with things set up on your own machine. If you do not, there are machines here you can use.

  • Where exactly is it?

    10 Constitution Plaza, on the plaza deck in downtown Hartford. The Visit page has directions, parking and buses, and who to ask if you need help getting in.

  • Can my organization use the space?

    Yes. Request it through this site. Requests are read by Lab staff and then approved by a City staff member, and you can see where yours is at any point.

  • What happens to what I bring in?

    It stays yours. The Lab does not keep copies of your files, your customer lists or your applications, and staff will tell you plainly when a tool you are using does keep them.

  • Is there someone who speaks Spanish?

    Yes, on the floor during open hours. Call ahead for a session and we will make sure of it.

  • Can children come?

    Children are welcome with an adult on the Saturday Open House and Walk-in Help. Youth Build Night on Fridays is for ages 14 to 19 and they come on their own.

  • I am a City employee. Can I come during work?

    Yes, and Office Hours on Wednesday afternoon is the usual route. Bring a real task from your department.

Ask your own

Type it the way you would say it. You get an answer with the page it came from.

Or write to us and a person will answer.