AI Reality Check for Leaders
Jim Amos
Human-first CTO. 20 years in tech.
The missing critical AI course leaders (and aspiring leaders) need in 2026.
In 2015, Nike launched robotic automation efforts to reduce operating expenses. But manufacturing robots only perform predictable, repeatable processes at scale, whereas Nike’s product range is so diverse it requires extreme flexibility. Total costs far exceeded their human workforce and Nike were forced to backtrack. This wasn’t the first or last time they’d lose $billions to overconfidence in technology.
In 2022, Starbucks spent $200 million on an AI machine-learning platform that replaced many baristas and removed brand-defining customer experience flourishes. This resulted in 6 straight quarters of declining sales and a $30 billion valuation loss. Ever since, Starbucks have been desperately reinvesting in human staff and trying to revive their customer community.
Every day brings new corporate announcements about AI, but it’s not easy to parse signals from noise, or reality from hype. The stakes are high, and so are the chances you’ll be led astray by fear of missing out, or bad management advice.
My goal is to present an alternative to the current AI mania so you can avoid the billion dollar mistakes of the past and become a conscientious, reality-based leader in 2026.
What you’ll learn
Navigate through the hype and become a better leader in the AI era.
Learn how consumer AI is part of a much larger collection of algorithmic computing systems that run the world.
Understand how AI technology is shaped and guided by humans, for good or for ill.
Understand what powers AI behind the scenes.
Uncover the true definition of "humans in the loop."
Learn about the origins of Large Language Models and how they’re designed to affect your brain in certain ways.
Become aware of personal and workplace dangers presented by AI.
Learn from the past, and understand the difference between selling shovels and digging for gold.
Gain a critical awareness of disinformation in AI marketing and financial predictions.
Learn from the mistakes of other leaders.
Develop more effective ways of communicating in the AI era.
Develop an awareness of what’s causing leaders to embrace AI before they even know what value they’ll derive from it.
Explore a different way of thinking about technology from a more grounded and human perspective.
Learn directly from Jim
Jim Amos
Human-first CTO. 20+ years in software engineering and management
Who this course is for
Business leaders, executives, decision-makers, managers, and aspiring leaders with an open mind and a desire to think critically about AI.
Professionals who want to make rational, reality-based decisions about if, why, how, and when to implement AI.
This course is not a deep dive into the technology of LLMs, or prompt engineering. But it does include some AI literacy for the layperson.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Jim Amos in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Course syllabus
Week 1
Jan
22
Live Session 1: What is AI? • What AI isn't • AI hype versus reality
Thu 1/226:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)Jan
23
Live Session 2: What about AI Agents? • Anthropomorphism and dark patterns. • How we talk about AI matters
Fri 1/236:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Course Day 1
Course Day 2
Free resource
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10 Things You Need To Know Before Going “AI-First.”
What does "AI-First" really mean?
Learn from the strategies of other leaders in communicating about AI adoption.
Will AI transform my company?
Let's think critically about what you're trying to achieve.
Does AI make my workforce more productive?
We'll look at the evidence so far.
How can we stay focused on what matters?
Learn how to counteract the fear of missing out.
Is going "AI-First" a choice, or a necessity?
We'll discuss what's driving this strategy and whether it's right for your company or not.
Schedule
Live sessions
4 hrs
4 hours over 2 days
Thu, Jan 22
6:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Fri, Jan 23
6:00 PM—8:00 PM (UTC)
Testimonials
- Jim is brilliant and insightful. His insights provide a valuable map through an increasingly confusing and confused future.
Ned Hayes
CEO, Human Intelligence Institute - Jim Amos is the compass we should all be using as a guide to steer ourselves through the waters of what the market is calling artificial intelligence.
Andrew Bickford
Cybersecurity Automation Engineer - Jim Amos sees clear through the fog of AI. He speaks simply and truly about how machines shape us. He knows what’s coming and tells it straight. If you care about our shared tomorrow, listen to him. He’s worth your time.
Dr Pierre Marchand
AI & Analytics Executive - Jim is someone who reminds anybody willing to listen that IT is always for people and about people above anything else.
Yevgen Shakin
Principal Solution Architect - Jim is relentlessly wise in seeing through the hype, blabber, and deceit rampant in the AI space, regularly keeping sane and cogent thoughts in the conversation.
Kris Holland
Designer, Engineer, Futurist - Jim Amos was one of the first thought-leaders to consistently call out the lazy, hypocritical, and frankly amoral discourse overflowing from the AI hype chamber.
Rob Cheng
Founder, Startup Marketing Advisor