AI Literacy: Empowering Your Entire Organization

Shadow AI: The Hidden Risk in Your Organization

Your employees are likely already using AI tools—whether you know it or not. A recent Microsoft survey found that 70% of employees use generative AI tools for work tasks, yet only 29% report receiving formal training. This “shadow AI” creates significant business risks:

• Confidential data inadvertently shared with third-party AI systems, with IBM Security reporting a 44% increase in data breaches tied to unsanctioned AI use.
• Potential intellectual property exposure when proprietary information is processed through public AI models, as seen in the Disney case, where confidential storyboards were leaked, the Samsung incident where engineers uploaded sensitive code, and Chase’s exposure of financial information through ChatGPT use.
• Legal exposure through copyright infringement, exemplified by The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI, which highlights the growing risks of unauthorized content reproduction.
• Compliance violations when employees use AI without understanding regulatory boundaries, with FINRA warning financial firms about supervision failures related to AI use.
• Security vulnerabilities from unvetted AI applications accessing company systems.
• Inconsistent quality and accuracy of AI-generated work products.

Organized, comprehensive AI training doesn’t just accelerate adoption—it’s an essential risk management strategy. By establishing proper guidelines and building employee competence, your organization can harness AI’s benefits while protecting sensitive information, ensuring compliance, and maintaining quality standards. Companies like Walmart, Accenture, and IBM have implemented successful company-wide AI training programs that balance innovation with robust governance—delivering competitive advantage while minimizing risk.

Why Every Employee Needs AI Literacy Now

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, AI literacy is no longer optional—it’s essential for organizational survival and growth. According to Gartner research, companies with widespread AI literacy generate 3x more value from their AI investments than those without. Deloitte’s recent study found that 85% of executives believe AI literacy at all levels is critical to competitive advantage, yet only 27% have implemented organization-wide training.

This disconnect creates both risk and opportunity. Without proper understanding:

• Employees resist AI-driven changes they don’t understand, with McKinsey reporting that 32% would consider leaving their jobs over poorly implemented AI policies.
• Teams miss opportunities to apply AI in their daily work, failing to capture potential 40% productivity gains (Stanford HAI).
• Departments make costly implementation mistakes, with 70% of AI initiatives failing to deliver expected value (Boston Consulting Group).

Our targeted AI literacy workshops solve this problem by providing customized training for everyone in your organization—from executives to frontline workers—with no technical expertise required.

Our AI Literacy Workshop Series

Workshop 1: “AI Fundamentals: Your First Step Into the Future” (2 Hours)

Goal: To reduce fear and build enthusiasm, provide a foundational understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and business applications.

Approach:

• Interactive discussion-based format with real-world demonstrations.
• Jargon-free explanations of key AI concepts.
• Hands-on exploration of everyday AI tools and applications.

Exercises:

• AI spotting: Identifying AI already operating in participants’ daily lives.
• Opportunity mapping: Brainstorming potential AI use cases in participants’ departments.
• Guided exploration of generative AI tools with simple prompting exercises.

Results & Benefits:

• Reduced anxiety about AI’s impact on jobs and roles.
• Basic understanding of key AI terminology and concepts.
• Ability to identify potential AI applications relevant to their work.
• Increased confidence in discussing AI initiatives.
• Readiness to engage with company AI strategy.

Workshop 2: “AI Advantage: Practical Applications for Business Results” (Half Day)

Goal: Develop practical skills for leveraging AI tools to improve productivity and decision-making within specific business functions.

Approach:

• Function-specific training modules (Marketing, Sales, Operations).
• Case study examinations of successful implementations.
• Guided practice with business-relevant AI applications.

Exercises:

• Prompt engineering workshop with real business scenarios.
• Small group problem-solving using AI assistants.
• Workflow redesign to incorporate AI tools effectively.
• Critical evaluation of AI outputs and limitations

Results & Benefits:

• Immediate productivity gains from improved AI tool usage.
• Ability to redesign workflows to incorporate AI effectively.
• Enhanced critical thinking about AI outputs and limitations.
• Practical understanding of when and how to apply AI.
• Development of an AI mini-project plan for their role.

Workshop 3: “AI Transformation: Leading Change in Your Department” (Full Day)

Goal: Equip departmental leaders and key influencers with the knowledge to champion and implement AI initiatives within their teams effectively.

Approach:

• Deep dive into business-specific AI applications.
• Mixed learning format combining lecture, discussion, and hands-on workshops.
• Real-world case studies and solution design sessions.

Exercises:

• Department-specific use case development and prioritization.
• AI project planning and stakeholder mapping.
• Implementation of roadblocking and solution development.
• Change management strategy creation.
• ROI and impact measurement framework development.

Results & Benefits:

• Comprehensive understanding of AI potential within specific functions.
• Ability to identify and prioritize high-value AI opportunities.
• Skills to lead small-scale AI implementations.
• Strategies to navigate common adoption challenges.
• Framework for measuring impact and communicating success.
• Action plan for immediate post-workshop implementation.

Workshop 4: “AI Leadership Immersion: Orchestrating Enterprise Transformation” (Two Days)

Goal: Provide leaders comprehensive strategies to drive organization-wide AI transformation, aligning technology, processes, and people.

Approach:

• Executive-focused content on strategic AI implementation.
• Collaborative planning sessions with cross-functional teams.
• Expert guidance on governance, ethics, and scale.
• Personalized coaching and strategy development.

Exercises:

• Enterprise AI opportunity assessment and prioritization.
• Cross-functional implementation planning.
• Governance and ethics framework development.
• AI talent strategy and capability-building planning.
• Change management and communication planning.
• Long-term AI evolution road mapping.

Results & Benefits:

• Strategic vision for AI’s role in business transformation.
• Comprehensive governance framework for responsible AI deployment.
• Change management strategies to drive organization-wide adoption.
• Ability to evaluate and prioritize AI investments for maximum impact.
• Action plan for immediate, medium, and long-term AI initiatives.
• Network of peer leaders for ongoing collaboration and support.

Workshop Implementation Details

Who Should Attend

Our workshops are specifically designed for business professionals with no technical expertise required:

• Executives and leadership teams.
• Department and team managers.
• Marketing and sales professionals.
• Customer service representatives.
• Operations and HR teams.
• Project managers and business analysts.

Delivery Options

All workshops can be delivered:

• In-person at your location.
• Virtual via interactive video conferencing for 2-hour only.
• Hybrid format for distributed teams.

Customization

Each workshop is tailored to your specific:

• Industry and competitive landscape.
• Business challenges and opportunities.
• Existing technology infrastructure.
• Organizational culture and readiness.

Critical Pre-Workshop Organizational Considerations

Before embarking on widespread AI training, forward-thinking organizations should address these foundational elements:

1. AI Governance & Ethics Framework

• Development of responsible AI use policies.
• Ethical guidelines and decision-making frameworks.
• Privacy protection and data governance standards.
• Establishment of oversight committees and processes.
• Regulatory compliance mechanisms.

2. Legal and Compliance Readiness

• Intellectual property and copyright considerations.
• Industry-specific regulatory requirements.
• Data protection and privacy compliance.
• Terms of service alignment for AI tools.
• Contractual obligations with vendors and clients.

3. Change Management Strategy

• Communication planning for AI initiatives.
• Stakeholder analysis and engagement approaches.
• Resistance identification and mitigation strategies.
• Role evolution and job redesign processes.
• Support mechanisms for affected employees.

4. Technology Infrastructure Assessment

• Evaluation of existing systems compatibility.
• Data quality and accessibility review.
• Security protocols for AI implementation.
• Integration requirements analysis.
• Technical support readiness assessment.

5. Strategic Alignment

• Clear articulation of AI objectives and desired outcomes.
• Alignment with broader business strategy.
• Priority identification for initial implementation.
• Resource allocation and investment planning.
• Success metrics and measurement approach.

We can help you through all these challenges in concert with increasing you AI Literacy.
See how we do this as part of our Fractional AI Lead service.

Begin Your Organization’s AI Literacy Journey Today

The difference between organizations that thrive and those that struggle in the AI era will be determined by their people’s ability to harness these powerful tools effectively.

Our progressive workshop series ensures your organization develops the knowledge, skills, and confidence to leverage AI for competitive advantage—starting immediately.

Schedule a call to discuss your organization’s needs and create a customized AI literacy roadmap.
The sooner you start, the further ahead you’ll be as AI continues to transform your industry.

Limited availability for 2025 workshops—reserve your dates now.