deepdives.eu

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Deepdives.eu

Johannes Verwijnen

Principal Instructor at deepdives.eu

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The challenge in this new AI era: so much is changing, there's so much to learn, and there's so little time. Right? And the problem compounds as more time passes. You might be* using ChatGPT every day, but feel uncertain as to why certain OpenAI models or tools respond the way they do.* getting marginal utility out of AI, but struggling to use the tools in a way that doesn't feel burdensome and high effort.* feeling like everyone else is using techniques and tools that are leaving you behind (should you use Claude Code? hint: yes). Look, even power users who constantly talk to AI products every day aren't getting everything out of it that they should. But it's essential to become excellent at your foundational understanding and usage today, here, in 2025, because things are only getting crazier. The core thesis of this course is to move you beyond 'prompt engineering,' as you've heard described elsewhere. It's more fundamental than that. There are 3 pillars: 1. MODEL MECHANICSFoundational understanding of large language models, transformers, and attention mechanisms – whether you're a chef or lawyer or software engineer, you'll be able to get the why behind large language models, chain of thought, reasoning, tool use, vision, and prompt sensitivity. 2. MENTAL MODELSDurable tactics and frameworks for how to talk to AI across interfaces – move from copy-pasting the latest prompt templates to never using a prompt template again, because you'll know how to engage these models to get 10x better results than your peers. Seriously. 3. FUTURE FORWARDHow generative AI is evolving, from the models to the applications to the future of work – get a lens for what people are talking about inside the research labs, how jobs are definitely change &amp; how they might change, the latest applications, and trends to watch out for. What I seek to give you is not just tactics that work today but permanent understanding that will last as new models are released, new tools are built, and the world changes around us. It's a universal fluency that will keep you ahead. Just as language fluency isn't about memorizing phrases from a travel guidebook, AI fluency isn't about collecting prompts from Twitter. Most courses teach you what to say to an AI chatbot. This course teaches you how to think about AI foundationally. It's the difference between learning to order coffee in French versus understanding why French speakers structure their thoughts the way they do. We'll also cover:• How to consistently and easily judge new models as they're released for task-specific competence• Nuances between reasoning, agentic, task-based, and primitive models• Current power rankings based on real-world application (not biased evals) We'll play with advanced uses of:• Foundational SOTA models, like o3-pro, GPT 4.5, Deep Research, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Sonnet 4• Agentic tools like Claude Code, Warp, Replit, Manus, GenSpark, and Devin• Wrapper tools like Gamma, Napkin, and Perplexity• My cheat code apps to 10x your workflow,&nbsp;both in ease and speed I'll share my theory on&nbsp;the future of work.And the&nbsp;OSD Framework&nbsp;I've developed to help people get ahead of the curve.You'll learn about the 3 core muscles I believe every job will distill down to:•&nbsp;Orchestration, the architect of AI-enabled systems•&nbsp;Supervision, the human-in-the-loop steering or polishing outputs•&nbsp;Delivery, the last-mile getting AI value to its end-user We'll go through CRITICAL concepts most people miss, including:* thinking in tokens* model training and fine-tunes* AI assistants v agents* diffusion and task-specific models* image and video model nuances* third party AI v foundational models* why I think you should NEVER use Perplexity At the end of this 3-day intensive, you'll...• be excellent at getting the outputs you want and need from AI models for any use case, from initial prompts to debugging to systems – seriously, a past student said: "I feel like I went from GPT-4 to GPT-7 after this course."• have seen how the latest models and tools work in their most unleashed format, with an understanding of agents as the future – and how to evaluate them, build them, and use them across use cases and interfaces.• future-proof your skills - because you're going to have a&nbsp;deep understanding&nbsp;of how these products work, you'll remain capable of using them as the models are continuously updated and evolved, even as the rapid pace of AI development continues. This course is for ANYONE who doesn't already consider themselves top 0.5% in both AI skill and ecosystem knowledge, and wants to grow their AI skillset with no-frills, no-BS intensity. No technical expertise required. Past students come from both inside and outside the tech industry, and have included:* product managers, startup founders, and early AI builders* software engineers, designers, marketers, operations leaders* analysts, bankers, and teachers* doctors, lawyers, and academics* chefs, frontline managers, students Want a taste of the course? Check out my video on why I think you're being lied to about AI agents: https://youtu.be/MoMxKF5duXI

Everything's changing. Become top 0.5% at using AI to future-proof yourself.

Course syllabus

3 days of live classes

Can't make it to the live classes or want to watch them again later? We'll make each day's content available same-day for all students.

Access recordings forever

There will be several projects and optional group workshops to turn the content into usable muscle - attend live for instructor feedback, or access projects, examples, and templates at your own pace - including permanent access after the course ends.

Daily projects (optional)

Course schedule

Non-technical, semi-technical, or technical professionals (throughout knowledge work) looking to gain an upper hand in this AI moment.

Anyone who has felt the gap between AI's potential, what they hear about what it can do, and their ability to access the upside.

NOT for people who already read arXiv papers and know who roon is. NOT for people looking for quick prompt templates.

Who is this course for

What you’ll get out of this course

You'll learn about the cognitive architecture that underpins not just LLMs, but the way that products and apps are built around them. These patterns will work across AI models and will continue working as systems evolve.

Instead of AI prompt templates, learn conversational design patterns

It's hard for even the most AI-passionate people to integrate and reliably, consistency use AI products. I'll give you systems, shortcuts, and methods for making it second nature -- we'll build your AI muscle.

Instead of treating ChatGPT like a magic answer box, you'll make it a constant companion

You'll know why even non-engineers should use Claude Code, how you should judge new tools, methods for integrating AI into your workflows, and feel in command of the future rather than chasing fake Zapier or n8n workflows that overpromise and underdeliver.

Instead of not knowing where to go next, you'll have an AI tech stack

You'll master the art of progressive refinement, building complex outputs and systems, and be able to leverage all of this to be top .5% in your field -- whether that's at work, with a hobby, with a side project, or with something personal.

Instead of being left behind, you'll get and stay ahead of the AI curve

Build permanent AI muscle: master the foundations of how AI actually works and future-proof tactics on making them work excellently for you.

Sherveen Mashayekhi

Founder & CEO @ Free Agency; Product Leader @ Stella (AI job matching), Toptal

Cohort 5

Cohort 6

Clients want coaching, your team wants direction, and leadership wants you to 10× your own output with AI - all while the AI tech stack changes every week. When you're not-technical and don't have the time to become technical, this becomes an insane challenge to overcome.&nbsp; It's also the challenge that I had to solve for myself. At Accenture, I went from being a non-technical leader to securing $2M in funding for AI initiatives. Then I helped build the AI strategies that drove productivity improvements for over 14,000 consultants. Today, I advise both tech startups and Fortune 1000 companies on becoming AI-native organizations. What you need are frameworks and cheat sheets on what really matters in deciding what, how, and when to apply AI. This cohort isn’t “AI 101.” It’s applied enterprise-grade learning for leaders who want to be ahead of the curve, not catching up to it. Unlike broad "AI for Leaders" courses that just cover definitions, this live lunch-time cohort is hands-on -- you'll pick your top use cases, calculate ROI, decide on the tech stack, and try your hand at automating some of your own workload. WHAT TO EXPECT:Format: four live, lunch-time sessions across two weeksSupport: two optional interactive office hours for hands-on helpPrep: bite-sized, zero fluff—show up, apply, move onOutcome: identify high-impact AI use-cases, craft an executable plan, and become the AI-native voice in your org (or for your clients) WHAT WE'LL COVER:- Pinpoint problems that are truly AI-solvable (we’ll choose them live)- Scope projects that become career-making case studies, not budget sinkholes- Speak “just-technical-enough” about GenAI, agents, ML, and automation- Make smart Build • Buy • Vibe-Code calls to save cash and time- See case studies from companies seeing 70%-300% improvements in productivity, marketing, engineering, and product management- Select platforms for low-code / no-code AI automations- Set realistic expectations with leadership and clients- Overcome resistance and build cross-functional buy-in- Avoid the costliest implementation traps- Keep your strategy relevant as the tech leaps forward TOOLKIT YOU'LL TAKE WITH YOU:1. Build, Buy, Vibe-Code AI Solution Decision Matrix2. AI Vendor Assessment Checklist3. “Why We’re Going AI-Native” Narrative Template4. 7-Point Checklist to Avoid AI Project Failure5. Handpicked list of my personal AI tech stack (the coolest AI products in the market right now) to explore The goal isn't to make you a technical expert - it's to give you the confidence to lead AI initiatives successfully. WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THIS COURSE: - You're responsible for AI projects but don't have a technical background- You need to make strategic decisions about AI investment- You're leading consulting engagements and clients want coaching on AI- You're bridging the gap between technical teams and business objectives- You want to position yourself as a forward-thinking leader WHO THIS IS NOT FOR: - Developers or AI engineers seeking technical implementation skills- Those expecting to become AI experts overnight- People looking for general "this is what ChatGPT is" courses If you're still not convinced, consider this: The price of this course is a fraction of the cost of a single failed AI project (so you should ask if your company will pay for this). And even if they won't, this is a small investment towards making your career future-proof.

Expectations have never been higher...

Use your lunch hour for the most impactful activity you could have on your plate -- future-proofing your career.

Wednesdays & Fridays Live Sessions

Open Office Hours for any questions and deep dives.

Thursday AMA Office Hours

Team leads, directors, and department heads who have been "volun-told" to implement AI and need to show a plan, quickly.

AI consultants who need structured frameworks to help clients decide on AI use cases, execution, and ROI.

Execs, founders, and business owners who need to set the AI strategy for their org and can't afford to make costly mistakes

Who should take this course

Companies are already seeing huge results...HubSpot improved email performance by 70%, Gumroad increased feature releases by 300%. Don't reinvent the wheel. Learn directly from real, behind-the-scenes case studies - and leave with a tangible plan for your team.

Leapfrog to picking 2-3 of the most impactful AI use cases based on what top AI leaders are doing

Decision fatigue is real -- and not all use cases need to be custom-built (and who has engineering resources for that, anyway). You'll be able to confidently decide how you should implement each use case to maximize speed to value. We'll apply this framework together in real time

Steal my framework for quickly deciding whether to Build, Buy, or "Vibe Code" AI solutions

Learn how to prompt AI agents like a boss, pick the right platform (Zapier, Make, ChatGPT, N8N), and start to automate your own work so you can deliver 10x more value.

Vibe code your AI "quick wins" live

74% of companies are struggling to see value beyond an AI proof of concept. We'll cover what makes a good AI deployment (to AI agent or not to AI agent) so your efforts stay relevant and scale over time. We'll analyze real situations from within the cohort.

Deconstruct the best practices and top mistakes companies make when deploying AI internally

AI tech isn't even the hardest part -- AI leaders are putting 80% of their effort into aligning people and processes. You'll leave with a clear, actionable roadmap to transform your team into an AI-Native powerhouse.

Create your own "Why We're Going AI Native" narrative to gain buy-in from your team

Pick winning AI use cases, gain confidence in executing your AI plan, and get recognized by bosses and clients for being AI-native

Lauren Vriens

Cohort 1

Cohort 2

Stay relevant. Stay valuable. Build the skills that today’s AI-driven businesses need. AI is reshaping the world of work. Roles are evolving. New tools are transforming how decisions are made. Automation is shifting responsibilities. Cloud costs are driving tough priorities. Security risks are accelerating. Businesses across industries are adapting fast, and they need professionals who can grow with this change. If you are unsure how to stay ahead or where your skills fit next, you are not alone. You already have valuable experience, and this course connects that experience to what businesses need today. Built on the proven 10 Dimensions of Enterprise AI Readiness, this program gives you a clear understanding of how AI is driving change in business IT and provides a direct path to strengthen your value and career potential in this new environment. What You’ll Get From This Course ⦿&nbsp;A Clear Understanding of How AI is Changing Business ITYou will experience a practical breakdown of how AI, automation, cloud, and modern IT practices are transforming business, and how it connects to what you already know. ⦿&nbsp;A Roadmap to Stay Relevant and In-DemandYou will stop chasing trends and start seeing where your experience fits, where you can add the most value, and how to target your growth. You will leave with a clear, personal roadmap to guide your next steps. ⦿&nbsp;Skills That Move You ForwardModern business IT is not just about new tools, it is about adaptability, insight, and contribution. You will build confidence to engage with AI-enabled teams, lead smarter conversations, and make decisions that matter. ⦿&nbsp;Grounding in the 10 Dimensions of Enterprise AI ReadinessThis is not a generic trends course. It is built around a proven framework that organizations are using to drive real AI adoption. You will learn how to connect your skills to these dimensions, so you can contribute where businesses need it most. ⦿&nbsp;Learn With a Supportive CommunityYou are not doing this alone. Through live sessions, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, you will learn alongside professionals who are on the same journey. Together, you will build clarity, confidence, and community. By the end of this course, you will know how to stay valuable, stay relevant, and take charge of your career in an AI-driven future.

Future-Proof Your Career with AI Readiness for Professionals


Join interactive, instructor-led sessions where we break down key concepts, discuss real-world applications, and work through challenges together. Expect a mix of guided learning, open Q&amp;A, and hands-on exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Live Sessions

Drop in for live office hours to get personalized guidance, ask questions, and connect with peers.

Office Hours

Apply what you learn through hands-on projects, case studies, and skill-building exercises designed to help you gain confidence and real-world experience.

Weekly projects

Get lifetime access to all future course material updates. Stay current, even as Business IT continues to evolve in the years to come.

Updated Course Materials

Join the class Discord server for continued access to instructors and community members, even after the class has ended.

Join the Community

Mid-career professionals adapting to AI-driven business environments

Managers and team leads needing to understand modern IT and AI to lead well

Individuals entering or re-entering the workforce seeking up-to-date AI readiness

Gain clear, practical insights into how these forces are reshaping the way businesses operate and compete.

Understand how AI, IT automation, DevOps, FinOps, cybersecurity, and data analytics are transforming modern Business IT


Identify your strengths and growth areas, and create a personalized roadmap aligned to today’s Business IT needs.

Assess your current skills and build a focused upskilling plan


See how companies are using AI, automation, and cloud strategies to drive results, and learn how to apply these insights in your own work.

Apply real-world case studies to connect trends to business outcomes


Learn how modern Business IT connects across IT, finance, security, and operations, and build the skills to lead and contribute in these integrated environments.

Develop cross-discipline collaboration skills


Ground your learning in a proven framework that businesses use to guide AI adoption, giving you a strategic edge in your career development.

Leverage the 10 Dimensions of Enterprise AI Readiness


#1 Rated Enterprise AI Course. AI Readiness for Professionals is a hands-on, cohort helping professionals lead in a competive job market.


July Start

John Tanner

Founder & Chief Strategist @ C4G Enterprises Inc.

Upskilling for the Future of Business IT: Spring 1

August Start

By the end of this course, students will go from feeling overwhelmed by AI hype to confidently using it as a daily power tool. They’ll automate 15+ hours of weekly busywork, master prompt strategies to get expert-level results, make faster, smarter decisions, and build a clear AI adoption roadmap for their teams. No technical skills, just real-world transformation—unlocking time, clarity, and leadership in an AI-driven world.

Describe the transformation students will have in your course

Tuesdays 

Weekly project

Busy Professionals &amp; LeadersYou manage projects, teams, or clients—and your time is stretched thin.

Non-Technical ExpertsYou’re great at your job but don’t have a tech background. This course gives you simple, practical AI tools.

Entrepreneurs &amp; Small Business OwnersYou wear a dozen hats and need an edge. Learn how to leverage AI to save time, reduce costs, &amp; scale.

Give students an idea of how they can expect to grow throughout your course. Include specificity and precise results so students can benchmark exactly what they’ll learn.

Free up 15+ hours a week by using AI to crush email overload, summarize meetings, and speed up data analysis.

Unlock expert-level AI outputs every time. Learn the secrets of prompt crafting to turn ChatGPT into your personal strategist.

Use AI to break down business problems and make faster, sharper decisions.

Create a winning AI game plan for your team—choose the right tools, streamline workflows, and lead change with confidence.

Back by popular demand, this hands-on course shows busy professionals how to turn AI into their advantage—no tech skills needed.

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