The end of financial year (EOFY) is almost here – and now is the perfect time to spend the last of your training budget. With artificial intelligence being an extremely hot topic right now (or is that a complete understatement?!), you might be considering AI support for your team.
But before you lock anything in…can we talk about AI keynotes versus AI workshops for a moment?
Because while both can be valuable, they serve very different purposes.
And if you choose the wrong one for your team’s needs, you could wind up wasting that precious end-of-financial-year budget on something that sounds impressive… but leaves your team no more skilled (or confident) than before.
I’ve seen it happen. In fact, one of my recent clients opted for an AI keynote – clearly indicating they did NOT want a workshop – thinking it would tick the box at their staff conference. But while their team walked away feeling super inspired with a better understanding of what a human-first approach to AI looks like, many still had no idea what to do next.
Because they weren’t provided opportunities to get hands-on experience. And I strongly believe that’s where the learning really happens in the AI space.
In this article, we’ll break down the difference between AI keynotes and AI workshops, when to choose each, and why they often work best together.
AI Keynotes: For sparking curiosity and shifting mindsets
If your goal is to get your team excited about AI, open their minds to the possibilities, and ease some of the fear or resistance around it, a keynote is a brilliant place to start.
Keynotes are big-picture. They’re about why this matters and how to think differently. They’re designed to spark ideas, shift perceptions, and get people talking. Think of them as the conversation starter – not the deep dive.
In a 45-to 60-minute keynote (delivered live or virtually), I guide teams through the human-first approach to AI including my HABITS framework featured in my upcoming book ‘AI-Human Fusion’ (To be released by Major Street Publishing on 24th June). We talk about how to keep humans in the driver’s seat, why you don’t need to be “techy” to get value from these tools, and what smart, purposeful AI adoption actually looks like in the workplace.
It’s energising. It’s empowering. And it’s especially effective if your team is feeling stuck in one of three common mindsets:
- Overwhelmed by all the tools and jargon
- Worried about job security
- Unsure how AI fits into their current role
Keynotes plant the seed, help people feel seen, and flip their mindset.
But… a keynote is NOT training.
No one is opening a laptop. (Sure, some people might open their notebook, but let’s be honest here, how often do people actually re-read keynote notes once they return to the office?) No one’s practicing prompts. No one’s applying AI to their workflows in real-time. It’s a different headspace – one that’s about listening and reflecting, not experimenting and doing.
That’s where workshops come in.
AI Workshops: For getting hands-on and building real capability
If a keynote plants the seed, then a workshop helps it grow.
Workshops are where the magic happens – where ideas turn into action, and lightbulb moments become lasting skills. They’re designed for teams who are ready to roll up their sleeves and actually do the thing.
In these sessions (typically half-day or full-day), we go beyond the theory. Your team gets hands-on experience with the tools. They practice prompt-writing. Explore role-specific use cases. And most importantly, they start building the confidence to use AI in ways that feel practical, productive, and human-first.
At HumanEdge AI Training, we don’t share countless AI tools to further overwhelm your team. We show them what works – based on your industry, your challenges, and your existing workflows.
In an AI workshop with us, your team will:
- Learn how to brief your GenAI tool (i.e ChatGPT or CoPilot) like a real junior assistant (instead of treating it like a dodgy search engine)
- Discover smarter ways to approach brainstorming, drafting, and even customer communication
- Walk away with templates, saved chats, and a clear sense of how to apply AI tools immediately
Workshops create momentum. Because when people use the tools in a safe, supported space – with expert guidance and tailored examples – they’re far more likely to keep using them after the session ends.
Think of it this way – a keynote tells them what’s possible. A workshop shows them how to make it happen.
So… which one does your team need right now?
Here’s a quick guide to help you figure it out –
🎤 An AI keynote is ideal when:
- You want to inspire and energise your entire organisation
- Your team is feeling resistant, unsure, or a bit freaked out by AI
- You’re hosting a large event, staff conference, or offsite
- You need to shift collective mindset fast – from fear to curiosity
- You’re planting the seed for a broader digital or innovation strategy
- You’re looking for an engaging way to introduce a human-first approach to AI
💻 An AI workshop is ideal when:
- You want your team to walk away with real skills, not just ideas
- You’re ready to embed AI into your processes and workflows
- Your team is already curious and asking questions – they just need guidance
- You want to see practical outputs and momentum straight away
- You’ve already started the mindset work (maybe through a keynote!) and are now ready to go deeper
- You need a safe, interactive space for people to experiment and learn-by-doing
There’s no wrong answer here. It’s just about matching the experience to where your team is at right now – and where you want them to be.
Why not both?
As the famous Old El Paso ad says: ¿Por qué no los dos? (Why not both?)
Keynotes and workshops can actually work beautifully together. So maybe you don’t have to choose.
We’ve run inspiring AI keynotes and webinars to kick things off – then followed up with practical workshops that lock in the learning. It’s a combo that’s worked brilliantly for our clients.
Get in touch with us today at this booking link and kick off the right conversation with the right team here at HumanEdge.
