From playing with AI to practical strategy

Why AI? What fascinates me about this technology.

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"I'm generally very interested in new technologies and always try to be at the forefront. Tools like ChatGPT are a cool new toy that you could suddenly use without bending over backwards."

For her, one thing is clear: "This is our next industrial revolution. What factories used to be, AI is today. Turning a blind eye to it would be fatal. Then you'll miss the boat - and at some point it will overtake you."

"It's really impressive how much routine thinking AI does for me. I no longer have to memorize every formula I need for programming - the AI helps me with that."

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Hi, future me. My path to strategic expertise

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"I sat down with my boss and thought about what further training would make sense for my development. It quickly became clear that further training in the AI environment made total sense - both for me personally and for the company."

After all, Maria von Loh's day-to-day work at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce revolves around digitalization:

"As a project manager and developer in the area of internal digitalization at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, I am responsible for creating digital workflows and integrating processes into everyday working life."

"When researching potential further training courses in more detail, it quickly became clear: "I can learn the technical side of AI myself. I have no problem with that. What I was missing was the strategic side - the business side and change management. There aren't many training providers for that."

Looking back, she is very satisfied with her choice: "What I have learned has not fundamentally changed my work, but it has broadened my perspective. I can now tackle strategic issues better, especially in relation to the introduction of new AI tools, which benefits both my team and the Chamber as a whole."

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How I integrated learning into my everyday life

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"The Master Class was completely online and the attendance times were recognized as working time by my employer - that was a great relief," says Maria von Loh. She organized the self-study phases flexibly: "Sometimes I incorporated them directly into my working day, sometimes at the weekend - just as it suited me best."

Although she started the training "from the back" - i.e. completed the modules in a different order - it worked well: "I did have to work through some of the content myself because it would have been covered in the previous modules. But that wasn't a bad thing - it meant I learned them twice."

"I already knew from my Master's how important it is to organize self-study phases well. That really helped me here."

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What I took away from the training

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I have developed a much broader understanding of what AI really means - not just technically, but above all strategically. I now see how important it is to integrate AI into a clear corporate strategy."

"The trainers contributed their practical experience - that was extremely valuable for me. You can't just read up on these insights. I was also able to apply what I had learned directly during the training."

"We launched our first pilot projects and it was incredible to see how quickly the approaches from the training course could be put into practice. I learned to see AI not just as a technical tool, but as something that needs a clear strategic direction in order to have a real impact in everyday working life."

She realized how crucial the right methods are for making this strategic perspective tangible. "I was particularly impressed by AI Canvas. It was exactly the tool I was missing to turn AI ideas into real projects."

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What I can recommend to others

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"Go for it! Even if you don't do the entire Master Class, individual modules are incredibly valuable," advises Maria von Loh.

Looking back, she advises with a smile: "The order of the modules makes sense - perhaps you should pay attention to that!"

"At the moment, my position at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce is perfect, but I'll be surprised where the journey takes me."