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For individuals

AI Foundations

Half-day workshop for professionals new to AI. Build confidence with the core tools.

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Who this is for

  • Individual professionals or small teams new to AI
  • People who've heard the hype and want to actually get started
  • Teams whose AI usage so far has been one or two curious people - and the rest hasn't moved
  • All sessions are in-house and bespoke - we don't currently run open enrolment cohorts

What you'll learn

  • Confidence using the main AI tools for everyday work
  • A working prompt template you build during the workshop and use the next morning
  • A clear view of where AI helps and where it gets in the way
  • A small set of personal use cases you've tested in the room
  • Plain-language understanding of how the tools work, with no jargon
  • A starting point for going further if AI proves useful

Format

  • Half day (3-4 hours)
  • Online or in-person delivery
  • In-house and bespoke - scoped to the team's context and the work participants actually do

Agenda outline

[Pending: Alastair to send current programme outline.]

  1. Block 1

    What AI is good at, what it isn't

    A practical orientation, no hype.

  2. Block 2

    Hands-on with the main tools

    Working through real tasks participants brought.

  3. Block 3

    Prompt structure that works

    The patterns that make AI outputs useful, not generic.

  4. Block 4

    Building your first reusable prompt

    Each participant leaves with a template they'll use.

  5. Block 5

    Where to go next

    Personal use cases, light-touch governance, what to keep practising.

Common questions

Do I need any technical background?

No. The workshop is designed for professionals new to AI, regardless of technical comfort. We start from the assumption that you've used a search engine - that's the baseline.

What tools will I learn to use?

The main current AI assistants for everyday work. Specific tools are scoped to the workshop based on what the team uses (or is allowed to use).

Can you run this for just one person?

We can, but the workshop is built for small teams. One-on-one is rarely the right fit for half-day workshop pricing. If you're a single buyer, look at our books or the Co-Builder service first.

How long until I'll actually use what I've learned?

The workshop is built so you leave with at least one working prompt or workflow you'll use the same week. That's the test we apply to every block.

About the trainer

Alastair McDermott

Founder, HumanSpark

Alastair McDermott has trained hundreds of professionals new to AI through workshops with industry bodies, business networks, and direct engagements. His teaching style is accessible without being patronising - participants regularly describe being 'educated gently.'

He's the author of practical AI guides designed for people getting started.

Last updated: April 2026

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