AI Training for Leaders: Investment in the Future or Wasted Time?

I have attended dozens of AI training programs. Corporate workshops. Online courses. Executive programs at business schools. Conference sessions. You name it.

Most were useless. Some were excellent. Here is how to tell the difference.

The Problem with Most AI Training

Most AI training fails because:

• Too theoretical. Concepts without application.
• Too technical. Code when you need strategy.
• Too generic. One-size-fits-all when you need specifics.
• Too fast. Surface-level overview without depth.
• Too salesy. Training that is really just a pitch.

You leave knowing slightly more than before. But not enough to do anything differently.

What Good AI Training Looks Like

Good training has these elements:

Clear Business Focus

Not "what is AI." But "how AI solves your business problems."

Practical Application

You build something. You use the tools. You solve real problems.

Relevant Technical Depth

Enough to make good decisions. Not enough to build from scratch (unless that is the goal).

Actionable Frameworks

You leave with frameworks you can apply immediately. Not just concepts.

Ongoing Support

Training is just the start. You need help implementing what you learned.

Types of AI Training

There are different types:

Executive Briefings

2-4 hours. Strategic overview. Good for awareness. Not enough for implementation.

Workshop Programs

1-3 days. Hands-on. Good for skill building. Requires time investment.

Executive Programs

1-4 weeks. Comprehensive. Often expensive. Best for senior leaders.

Online Courses

Self-paced. Variable quality. Good for self-starters. Limited accountability.

Coaching/Consulting

Custom. Expensive. Most effective. Best ROI if done right.

When AI Training Makes Sense

Training makes sense when:

• You have clear business problems to solve
• You will apply what you learn immediately
• You have time to implement
• You choose the right type for your needs

Training does NOT make sense when:

• You just want to "learn about AI"
• You have no specific application in mind
• You will not have time to implement
• You are looking for a magic solution

My Recommendations

For executives who want to understand AI:

Start with a short briefing. 2-4 hours. Get the basics. Understand possibilities.

Then pick ONE area to go deep. Do not try to learn everything.

Choose practical over theoretical. Build something. Use the tools.

Get support for implementation. Training without implementation is wasted money.

What I Created

That is exactly why I created my AI Agent Crash Course.

It is:

• Practical — you build working agents
• Focused — one area, done well
• Actionable — you leave with working examples
• Supported — help when you need it

Not a briefing. Not a conference session. A complete program to get you from zero to working AI agents.

→ AI Agent Crash Course — €49 (Early Bird)

The Bottom Line

AI training can be a valuable investment. Or a waste of time and money. The difference is in the choice.

Choose training that:

• Solves your specific problems
• Gives you practical skills
• Supports implementation

Avoid training that:

• Is purely theoretical
• Is generic
• Ends when the session ends

The right training can accelerate your AI journey. The wrong one just makes you feel like you did something.

Choose wisely.

— Jan