Thought Leadership
April 8, 2026
Not finding what you’re looking for?
We recently ran an experiment at Kaplan UK. Instead of hosting another hour-long webinar about AI, we tried something different: a five-day AI Skills Sprint with daily three-minute videos and simple challenges.
The response surprised us. 645 people signed up. More importantly, early feedback showed a 17% increase in confidence around using AI. Not confidence in technical skills, but in their mindset about how to use AI in their daily work and personal lives.
That shift matters more than any technical tutorial ever could.
Most AI training focuses on the wrong things. We teach people how to use specific tools or platforms. These are fine starting points, but they miss what really matters.
The question isn't "Can you use ChatGPT?" It's "Are you using AI to become better at what you do?"
One is about tools. The other is about mindset and continuous growth.
Each day of our sprint focused on one concept built around the acronym SKILL: Self-mastery, Knowledge, Innovation, Leadership, and Lifelong Learning. Throughout the week, we emphasised one thing: AI isn't replacing your expertise. It's extending it.
Think of AI as a research partner who can help you understand industry jargon faster. Or a soft skills coach who can help you refine a difficult email. Or a creativity partner who can help you brainstorm alternatives to processes you've been doing on autopilot.
The people who will thrive aren't those who know the most about AI technology. They're the ones who stay curious about how to use it better.
Short-form content forces clarity. For us, that meant focusing on specific scenarios where AI could make an immediate difference.
Having trouble understanding technical terms? Here's a prompt to make AI explain it like you're a beginner. Overwhelmed before a meeting? Here's how to identify your three most important talking points. Want to show leadership initiative? Here's how to brainstorm proactive ways to support your team.
Each prompt gave people something concrete to try right then, not tomorrow or next week.
This approach also aligns with how Gen Z and younger professionals prefer to learn. They've grown up with TikTok and YouTube tutorials. They expect content to be digestible, actionable, and respectful of their time.
One of the most interesting insights from our sprint was around personal AI use. Most workplace AI training focuses entirely on professional applications. But research shows people are also using AI for companionship, personal therapy, and emotional support.
We acknowledged that AI can be your mentor for personal growth, not just work productivity. It can help you build a morning routine, coach you through public speaking anxiety, or help you find work-life balance.
When people see AI as something that supports their whole life, they engage with it differently. They become more curious and build habits around continuous learning.
The final day focused on lifelong learning. We asked participants to identify one skill they wanted to develop and use AI to build a three-step learning roadmap.
But the more important challenge was this: How can you build a 10-minute-per-week habit of learning about AI itself?
The world of AI changes faster than any training program can keep up with. The only way to stay relevant is to stay curious.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by how fast AI is evolving, pick one small thing to experiment with this week.
Ask AI to explain something you've been pretending to understand. Use it to prepare for your next meeting. Try it as a brainstorming partner for a problem you're stuck on.
Don't worry about doing it perfectly. Just start experimenting.
The people who will succeed in the age of AI aren't the ones who know the most about how AI works. They're the ones who stay curious about how to use it to become better at what they do.
Continuous learning isn't a buzzword. It's a survival skill. And AI might be the best learning partner you've ever had.
Chiraag Swaly is Head of Data and Technology Curriculum at Kaplan Professional UK, where he leads AI strategy and educational initiatives.
