Embracing AI: Moving Beyond the Theory and Into Action

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept—it's rapidly reshaping our world in ways we can no longer ignore. As we pass the midpoint of the year, the developments in AI are coming at us faster than ever, with June being a particularly significant month. OpenAI's recent demo of ChatGPT-4o , showcasing an impressive array of use cases, has made it clear that AI's potential is vast and immediate. Not to be outdone, Google quickly followed suit by launching their AI-powered search, AI Overview , in response to advances pioneered by Perplexity. While I've spent considerable time discussing AI as a transformational force, it's time we move beyond theory. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in rolling up our sleeves and focusing on how we can harness AI's power to drive meaningful, real-world applications. The time for action is now, and this article will explore why and how we must start shaping the future with AI, beginning with education.

If we don't shift our focus from merely contemplating AI to actively exploring how it can drive real, impactful change, we risk falling behind.

Accepting and moving on

As I mentioned earlier, it's time to stop simply discussing AI and start taking action. We must accept that AI is not just a fleeting trend—it's here to stay and will continue to shape our future. If we don't shift our focus from merely contemplating AI to actively exploring how it can drive real, impactful change, we risk falling behind. Yes, we should remain vigilant as AI continues to evolve, especially when just later this year, it is poised to be a period of intense innovation. However, with summer still giving us a brief moment of calm , we have a window of opportunity to prepare ourselves before the next wave of advancements sweeps in. Now is the time to strategize and get ahead of the curve.

Enter education

In my view, one of the biggest barriers to AI adoption is education. The rapid pace of AI advancements—new features and breakthroughs emerging almost daily—can make "understanding AI" feel like an insurmountable task for many. I get it—there have been days when I've had to unplug from the constant stream of AI updates, whether through newsletters, podcasts, articles, conversations, YouTube videos, or social media feeds. It takes a lot of effort to stay informed about AI. But perhaps the most powerful way to learn is by becoming an educator yourself.

I've spent over 16 years as an educator, most recently in digital marketing. I’m passionate about digital marketing because it’s an essential skill for everyone—it’s about understanding the digital landscape we live in so we can navigate it effectively and communicate the value of what we offer, whether it’s a product or ourselves as professionals. Digital marketing and AI share similarities as emerging technologies, and this made my transition to adopting AI as a transformational tool not just manageable, but adaptable.

The AI skill gap

There’s a growing AI skills gap, and it’s particularly pronounced in the nonprofit sector, which, according to a recent report by the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience , has only about one-fifth of the tech workers compared to other industries. This gap is not new—it’s part of the broader technological divide—but it’s more critical than ever as we navigate one of the most significant technological transformations of our lifetime. Now is the time for individuals, leaders, and organizations to take action and close this gap. For those who follow me on LinkedIn, you know I’m deeply involved in AI. I regularly engage in conversations with people who are trying to keep up with these changes, as well as with those who want to learn but don’t yet know how.

BrainTrainr isn’t just about learning AI; it’s about empowering others to use AI to shape the future—democratizing the technology so that its benefits can be realized by all.

Enter BrainTrainr

When considering the practical use cases of AI, one of the most accessible opportunities is education—a "low-hanging fruit," as some might say. For me, this is clear, as it combines my background as an educator with my passion for technology. While other articles often focus on the potential dangers AI might pose to society, I believe the more pressing challenge is addressing the AI skills gap by empowering others to explore and develop their own use cases. This is where BrainTrainr comes in. The goal isn’t to turn everyone into an AI expert but to help people achieve a baseline understanding of AI. What are open and closed models? How do they differ? What do we need to know about prompting? What are diffusion models? The primary question BrainTrainr seeks to answer is: What is AI, and how can it support both individual and organizational outcomes? BrainTrainr aims to address this by developing educational modules that start with the fundamentals, such as:

While I’m presenting this in a straightforward way, it’s important to acknowledge that any new educational field, especially one as complex as AI, will inevitably come with its own set of challenges —complexities, implications, new definitions, and a slew of acronyms. This is simply how we, as humans, process and adapt to new knowledge, making it essential to break things down in a way that’s both accessible and comprehensive.

The need for accelerated learning

Conventional methods of learning, especially when it comes to AI, are going to be a challenge. Just as the internet became integral to every industry, AI is now weaving its way into countless workflows and processes . Right now, industries across the board are exploring how AI can be implemented, tested, and integrated. The key question they’re asking is: How can we leverage AI to optimize processes and enhance human efficiency in the workplace? Contrary to the belief that AI is here to replace humans, I—and many others—believe that those who seize the opportunities AI presents will be the ones who thrive in the evolving job market, while those who resist will be left behind. This underscores the need for an educational model that swiftly and effectively equips people with a baseline understanding of AI. To meet the demands of this technological transformation and prepare for the changes ahead, we must focus on modular, accelerated learning—not the traditional methods that take months or even years. Accelerated learning will be the key to reaching and empowering the masses.

Our belief is that by helping those who face the most significant barriers, we can make it easier to support others as well. By addressing the needs of these communities first, we aim to create a more inclusive path forward.

Democratizing AI via education

BrainTrainr aims to address the AI skills gap by leveraging accelerated learning to democratize AI, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. The concept behind BrainTrainr is simple yet powerful: by providing people with a foundational understanding of AI, we open the door for them to explore and apply AI in their everyday lives and workplaces. This baseline knowledge empowers individuals not just to understand AI, but to innovate with it—to identify opportunities, solve problems, and create new use cases that can have a real impact.

By making AI education widely available and easily accessible , BrainTrainr is not just teaching AI skills; it’s fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. This approach ensures that AI know-how is not confined to a select few but is shared across society, enabling more people to contribute to and benefit from the advancements in AI. In other words, BrainTrainr isn’t just about learning AI; it’s about empowering others to use AI to shape the future—democratizing the technology so that its benefits can be realized by all.

The concept behind BrainTrainr is simple yet powerful: by providing people with a foundational understanding of AI, we open the door for them to explore and apply AI in their everyday lives and workplaces.

What BrainTrainr aims to do

Those who seize the opportunities AI presents will be the ones who thrive in the evolving job market, while those who resist will be left behind.

But who needs AI education more?

The communities we’re focusing on are marginalized and underserved. Why? Because as a society, we’re all going to face challenges in adapting to the sweeping changes that AI will bring in the coming years. However, those who are already disadvantaged—whether due to lack of access to technology, exclusion from AI development, job displacement, or barriers to skill development—will face even greater hurdles. That’s why BrainTrainr is committed to prioritizing these groups. Our belief is that by helping those who face the most significant barriers , we can make it easier to support others as well. By addressing the needs of these communities first, we aim to create a more inclusive path forward. The groups BrainTrainr is focused on include:

• Racial and Ethnic Minorities: This includes groups such as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other people of color who have historically faced discrimination and unequal treatment.
• Low-Income Individuals and Families: People living in poverty or with low income often lack access to quality education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities.
• LGBTQ+ Communities: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other non-heteronormative identities often face discrimination, stigma, and exclusion in various aspects of life.
• People with Disabilities: Individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities often encounter barriers to accessing education, employment, healthcare, and social participation.
• Immigrants and Refugees: Migrants, especially undocumented immigrants and refugees, often face challenges related to legal status, language barriers, discrimination, and access to essential services.
• Rural and Remote Communities: People living in rural or remote areas may have limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities compared to those in urban centers.
• Women and Gender Minorities: Women and gender minorities may face gender-based violence, pay inequality, and limited representation in leadership roles.
• Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous communities often experience ongoing impacts from colonialism, including land displacement, cultural erasure, and lack of access to resources.

In addition to supporting these groups, we also aspire to be a catalyst for broader participation in shaping the future of AI development. We believe that empowering people to envision and influence AI’s trajectory starts with focusing on the achievement of competencies by each learner.

Competency-based training and competency-based hiring

Competency-based training (CBT) is an educational approach that focuses on developing and assessing specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours directly linked to the performance of a particular job or role. Unlike traditional academic models, CBT prioritizes ensuring that learners acquire the competencies—the ability to perform tasks effectively—needed for success in a professional context. For CBT to truly thrive, it must be connected to another crucial practice: competency-based hiring (CBH) . This approach to recruitment and selection centers on evaluating the specific skills, behaviors, and attributes required for success in a particular job. Traditional methods of assessing candidate qualifications are increasingly outdated, and there’s a pressing need for change. That’s why BrainTrainr is seeking to establish partnerships with employers and higher education institutions to facilitate the recognition of competency achievement. With the support of AI, this process will look something like this:

In closing, BrainTrainr stands as a powerful example of how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to deliver personalized education. I, along with many others, believe the world is inevitably shifting in this direction. Given the rapid pace of AI developments, this approach might soon become the most effective form of workforce preparation we have. As I’ve highlighted in previous articles, we are living in a time of multiple crises , and one way to navigate these challenges is by leveraging AI to empower people while ensuring a fundamental understanding of the technology. BrainTrainr is not meant to be a closed or exclusive platform. Instead, I’m reaching out to individuals, organizations, and companies who recognize the value in creating accessible AI education. Together, we can capitalize on AI’s potential while making sure it serves those who need it most. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to join us in making this vision a reality.

Let’s harness AI for the greater good, starting with those who stand to benefit the most!