Dive into the world of prismatic cohomology with this first lecture in a four-part series delivered by Johannes Anschütz from the University of Bonn. Explore the foundations of this advanced mathematical concept developed by Bhatt and Scholze. Learn about prismatic cohomology in both characteristic 0 and characteristic p settings, setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of this powerful tool in algebraic geometry. This 1 hour and 39 minute talk, presented at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques (IHES), serves as an essential starting point for mathematicians and researchers interested in the latest developments in cohomology theories.