AI Essentials
AI Essentials helps SMB teams move from informal AI use to a more structured and practical approach. Participants learn advanced prompting, workflow integration, tool-specific use cases, quality review habits, and simple governance practices that support safer and more consistent AI adoption across the team.
Program Detail
Online
$8,640 + HST per trainee
Duration
12 Weeks
Application Status
Open
Module 1: AI Literacy & Prompt Foundations
Module 2: Advanced Prompting Techniques
Module 3: The Opportunity Map
Module 4: Tool Track, Core Features & First Exercises
Module 5: Tool Track, Advanced Use & Role-Based Practice
Module 6: Workflow Integration & Automation
Module 7: Measuring Impact & Iterating
Module 8: Governance, Champion & Sustaining Adoption
AI Essentials
Advanced AI training for business teams ready to build stronger AI habits, workflows, and team-level consistency.
Highlights and Key Outcomes
AI Essentials is a 12-week instructor-led program designed for SMB teams that are already using AI informally or want a more structured way to begin. The program helps participants build practical AI capability using widely available tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, and CRM-based AI.
The program covers AI literacy, advanced prompting, opportunity mapping, tool-specific practice, workflow integration, automation, performance measurement, and simple governance. It is designed to help teams move from scattered AI use to more consistent, practical, and responsible adoption.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Explain what AI can and cannot reliably do in a business context
Use advanced prompting techniques for more complex workplace tasks
Identify AI opportunities using an Automate, Augment, Protect, and Deprioritize framework
Practise tool-specific AI workflows using the platforms available to their team
Design and document AI-assisted workflows that fit daily operations
Measure AI impact using practical performance indicators
Apply simple governance practices for safer and more consistent AI use
Curriculum Details
Module 1: AI Literacy & Prompt Foundations
Participants build a shared understanding of how AI works, where it commonly fails, and how to write clearer prompts. The module introduces the role, context, format, and constraints framework using real workplace tasks.
Module 2: Advanced Prompting Techniques
Participants learn how to handle more complex prompting situations using multi-step instructions, tone control, length control, and format control. The module helps participants move beyond basic prompts and improve consistency in AI outputs.
Module 3: The Opportunity Map
Participants use task logs to identify where AI can help their work and where human judgment should remain central. The module introduces the Automate, Augment, Protect, and Deprioritize framework and helps teams prioritize practical quick wins.
Module 4: Tool Track, Core Features & First Exercises
Participants complete hands-on practice in the AI platform their team uses, such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT, or CRM-based AI tools. The module focuses on core features and foundational use cases using standardized workplace scenarios.
Module 5: Tool Track, Advanced Use & Role-Based Practice
Participants complete structured exercises organized by common business function (sales, operations, customer service, administration) using pre-defined scenarios. The module helps participants apply AI across different professional contexts.
Module 6: Workflow Integration & Automation
Participants learn how to embed AI into existing business processes rather than using it as a separate tool. The module focuses on understanding how AI fits into common business workflows, building prompt templates, and reviewing how AI outputs connect to standard business tools.
Module 7: Measuring Impact & Iterating
Participants learn frameworks for evaluating AI impact on work quality, time savings, and consistency. The module introduces a sample AI performance scorecard and covers how to refine prompts based on output quality.
Module 8: Governance, Champion & Sustaining Adoption
Participants learn about AI usage guidelines covering data handling, quality review, human oversight, and error reporting. The module also covers how organizations typically assign responsibility and maintain consistent AI practices.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for:
Team leads and managers moving from general AI awareness to applied proficiency
Sales, customer service, and operations professionals using or planning to use AI tools
Managers responsible for team productivity and consistent AI capability
SMB employees whose roles involve writing, reporting, research, communication, or repetitive knowledge work
What Participants Work On
Throughout the program, participants complete practical AI exercises using standardized workplace scenarios. Activities include prompt development, opportunity mapping, tool practice, AI output review, and governance awareness exercises.
Participants leave with stronger AI capability, clearer team habits, and practical workflows that support safer and more consistent AI use at work.
Faculty
Christos Nikitopoulos,
Marco Muscatello,
Vyona Ma,
CSL
