AI Wales Programme
AI Champions
Develop the person who will lead AI inside your organisation.
Most organisations accept that AI matters, yet have no one whose role is to own it. AI Champions takes one capable person and develops them into a confident, credible internal lead — sponsored by your senior leadership team and given protected time and a real problem to work on. A six-month blend of facilitated workshops, one-to-one coaching and structured work-based activity: your champion learns by leading a live AI initiative inside the business, not by sitting through classroom theory. Graduates can also choose to join the AI Wales Champions Network for ongoing support and monthly meetups.
What it covers
Leading AI adoption is as much about people and process as it is about technology.
Artificial intelligence
Practical use of leading platforms, prompting and responsible use.
Data
Literacy, quality, readiness and governance.
Business process
Mapping how work flows and redesigning it for impact.
Communications
Building buy-in, managing change and training colleagues.
The six-month journey
Six facilitated workshop days of 5.5 structured hours, six required one-to-one coaching sessions, and an assessed presentation and review.
Foundations and diagnosis
The champion role, the AI landscape and a readiness baseline.
Data
Literacy, quality and how information is governed.
Business process
Mapping work and finding where AI adds measurable value.
Applied AI
Piloting a chosen use case hands-on.
Communications and change
Bringing colleagues with you and planning internal training.
Embed and lead
Governance, the roadmap and a project presentation to leadership.
Champions Network (added extra)
Beyond the core six-month CPD programme, graduates can also choose to join the AI Wales Champions Network for a further 12 months of ongoing community support.
Monthly Champions Meetups
Virtual and in-person gatherings to share wins, challenges, and learn from other Champions across Wales.
AI Wales Advisor Access
Direct access to AI Wales advisors for guidance on your AI initiatives and challenges.
Private Community
Slack/Teams community exclusively for Champions to ask questions, share resources, and collaborate.
Quarterly Briefings
Updates on AI trends, new tools, regulatory changes, and opportunities relevant to Welsh organisations.
Resource Library
Templates, frameworks, and case studies to support your internal AI advocacy work.
Priority Event Access
First access to AI Wales events, workshops, and new programme pilots.
Is this right for you?
This programme is for you if:
- ✓Your organisation wants one person to own AI adoption, not a training exercise for many
- ✓You can sponsor a champion with protected time and senior leadership backing
- ✓You want a live AI initiative delivered, not classroom theory
- ✓You value structured, CPD-certified development (35 hours)
- ✓You can commit to six months, not just a single day
This programme is not for you if:
- ✗You want to train a large group of staff at once
- ✗You want hands-on technical ML/AI engineering training
- ✗You need a quick one-day introduction to AI
Looking for something else? Check our training courses or the AI Pathfinder for senior leadership teams.
Frequently asked questions
Who should become an AI Champion?
AI Champions is built around one capable person per organisation — the individual who will own AI adoption day to day. They should have the credibility to lead a live initiative and be sponsored by your senior leadership team with protected time to do the work.
Do I need technical skills to join?
No. The programme covers practical AI use, data literacy, business process and change management rather than technical implementation. We cover enough AI fundamentals to be credible without requiring coding or data science skills.
How much time commitment is required?
The programme runs over six months: six facilitated workshop days of 5.5 structured hours, plus six required one-to-one coaching sessions and time between sessions to lead a real AI initiative inside your business.
Can multiple people from one organisation join?
AI Champions is designed to develop one lead per organisation, and cohorts are kept small — maximum eight — so every champion gets close coaching support. If you want to put forward more than one person, get in touch to discuss options.
What happens after the six months?
Your champion will have led a live AI initiative, built a governance approach and roadmap, and presented it to your leadership team. Graduates can also choose to join the AI Wales Champions Network for a further 12 months of community support.
Is this programme CPD certified?
Yes. AI Champions is CPD certified for 35 hours through AI Wales' CPD membership (Tech Literacy CIC, CPD Member No. 22668).
What is the final assessment?
The programme closes with an assessed presentation and review — your champion presents their completed AI initiative, governance approach and roadmap to your organisation's leadership team.
Register your interest
The AI Champions programme is now accepting expressions of interest for upcoming cohorts. Contact us to learn more or reserve your place.