Navigating Generative AI: A Strategic Guide for Professionals

Artificial intelligence is changing how professionals think, solve problems, make decisions, and approach their work. However, realizing its full potential requires more than learning to use individual AI tools. It requires understanding how to collaborate effectively with AI while maintaining human judgment, creativity, and accountability.

This interactive course helps professionals develop a strategic approach to using generative AI as a thought partner. Participants explore practical frameworks for AI-assisted thinking, structured prompting, decision-making, problem-solving, and recognizing valuable applications in their work.

Rather than emphasizing specific technologies that may quickly change, the course focuses on enduring skills and mental models that help professionals adapt as AI capabilities evolve.

Through guided discussions, demonstrations, and practical exercises, participants develop a personal AI strategy for improving professional effectiveness while managing risks and maintaining appropriate human oversight.

Who Should Attend / Audience

Business professionals across functional areas
Supervisors, managers, and team leaders
Project managers and business analysts
Professionals responsible for planning, problem-solving, and decision-making
Organizational leaders interested in strengthening human-AI collaboration

Prerequisites

No previous AI experience or technical background is required. Participants should be comfortable using common business applications and willing to explore new approaches to professional work.

Course Level

Foundational / Strategic

Designed for professionals at all organizational levels who want to develop effective thinking habits and a strategic understanding of human-AI collaboration.

Required Software

Participants will need a laptop with a current web browser, reliable internet access, and access to an approved AI chat platform such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Claude.

A free account is expected to be sufficient for most exercises, subject to instructor confirmation. Specific platform requirements will be communicated before class.

No programming software or specialized technical applications are required.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the principles of effective human-AI collaboration and the importance of maintaining human judgment.
Apply the CRIT prompting framework to improve AI-assisted communication, thinking, and problem-solving.
Identify high-value AI applications relevant to their professional responsibilities.
Use AI to explore perspectives, challenge assumptions, evaluate alternatives, and strengthen decision-making.
Recognize AI limitations and apply appropriate verification, privacy, and risk management practices.
Explain how AI is changing professional roles, capabilities, and sources of competitive advantage.
Develop a personal AI strategy incorporating reusable prompts, practical applications, and responsible-use guidelines.

Day 1: Developing Strategic AI Thinking

Module 1: Human-AI Collaboration and Strategic Thinking