Learn AI.
Then build with it.
A two-course track for business owners who want to go from curious to capable. Small groups, hands-on, no jargon. Book for your team or join a public session.
Two courses. One clear path.
AI Essentials
Understand what AI is, learn to prompt it effectively, and set up your development environment. The foundation.
Explore → 200-LevelAI Implementation
Start a real project, engineer context, wire up tools, and deploy. Leave with a working system.
Explore →Take one or both. The 100-level prepares you for the 200-level, but each course stands on its own.
AI Essentials
2 Hours · Beginner · No PrerequisitesAI Landscape
What AI actually is, what it can do today, and what's still hype. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini — what each does and when to use which. Plain English, no jargon.
Prompting
How to talk to AI tools effectively. XML structures, system prompts, few-shot patterns. The difference between a vague ask and a precise instruction.
Projects & Research
Deep research concepts. How to use AI for real business problems — competitive analysis, market research, content generation — not just chat.
API Setup
Set up a real API key in VS Code. Configure your environment so you're ready to build in the 200-level — or on your own.
What you'll walk away with
- A clear understanding of what AI can and can't do
- Prompting skills that work across any AI tool
- VS Code configured with an API key
- A list of free and cheap tools worth trying
AI Implementation
3 Hours · Intermediate · 100-Level RecommendedStart a Project
Pick a real business problem. Scope it for AI assistance. Define what "done" looks like before you write a line of code.
Context Engineering
claude.md files, project context, memory patterns. Teach AI your business so it builds what you actually need — not generic output.
Skills & Tools
Acquire pre-built skills. Wire up APIs, databases, and external services. Connect the pieces into something that works.
Deploy
Connect to hosting. Ship something real. Walk out with a live, running tool built for your business — not a demo.
What you'll walk away with
- A deployed AI tool built for your business
- Understanding of context engineering and project scoping
- Skills you can reuse and extend on your own
- A working system, not a demo
What to know.
Format
In-person, small group (8–15 seats), fully hands-on. You'll be building, not watching slides.
Location
Viroqua, Wisconsin. Venue details shared after registration.
What to Bring
A laptop, curiosity, and a business problem you want to solve. We handle the rest.
Private Workshops
Available for teams and organizations. Bring this to your company or business group.
Courses run independently. Take the 100-level first if you're new to AI, or jump straight to the 200-level if you're ready to build. Private workshops available for teams and organizations — book a call to discuss.
Built by someone who ships.
Michael Browne builds go-to-market systems and AI tools for growing companies. He works primarily with Claude and Gemini, is an L3-certified MindStudio developer, and has shipped grant engines, municipal newsletter automation, tourism platforms, and dozens of custom AI agents — all from rural Wisconsin. These workshops teach the same tools and patterns he uses every day.
Common questions.
Do I need to be technical?
Not for the 100-level. If you can use email and a web browser, you're good. The 200-level assumes basic comfort with a laptop and a code editor — but we'll help you get set up if you took the 100-level first.
What's the difference between the two courses?
The 100-level is about understanding — what AI is, how to prompt it, how to research with it. The 200-level is about building — start a project, engineer context, wire up tools, and deploy something real. Take one or both.
What will I actually build in the 200-level?
A real AI tool scoped to your business. You'll define the problem, build the solution with skills and integrations, and deploy it to a live hosting environment before you leave. It's yours to keep using.
Is this a sales pitch for consulting services?
No. You leave with real skills and working tools. The workshops stand on their own. If you want help with bigger projects later, we're here — but there's no pitch during the session.
Can I take the 200-level without the 100-level?
Yes, if you're already comfortable with AI basics and have VS Code set up with an API key. The 100-level covers this setup, so if you skip it, make sure you're ready to hit the ground running.
Which AI tools do you teach?
Primarily Claude and Gemini — the tools I build with every day. I'm also an L3-certified MindStudio developer. The 100-level covers the full landscape (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more). The 200-level goes deep on Claude Code for building and deploying real tools.
Can I book this for my team or organization?
Yes. Private workshops are available for teams, companies, and business groups. Same curriculum, your schedule, your location or remote. Book a call to discuss.
Interested? Let's talk.
Public sessions announced soon. Private workshops available for teams and organizations — book a call to discuss.