DT #591 Empowering Staff with AI: Inclusive AI Training Strategies

Develop This: Economic and Community Development

In this episode of the Develop This! Podcast, Dennis Fraise is joined by Ashley Canada and Eric Canada for the third installment in a four-part series on building an AI blueprint. They dive into the essential role of workforce upskilling in successful AI adoption, explaining why AI training must extend beyond technical teams to prevent the creation of a two-tier workforce.

The discussion highlights how inclusive AI training not only builds employee skills but also boosts morale, engagement, and organizational growth. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for empowering employees, leveraging AI to amplify human strengths, and involving staff in identifying opportunities for AI implementation.

The episode also explores quick wins that spark awareness, the evolving roles of AI in economic development organizations, and practical ways to integrate AI into a broader workforce development strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Upskilling the entire workforce is essential for successful AI adoption.
• Selective training risks creating a two-tiered workforce.
• AI enhances human capabilities and engagement—it doesn’t replace people.
• Inclusive training fosters morale, ownership, and organizational alignment.
• Staff input is critical for identifying AI opportunities that add real value.
• Automating repetitive tasks frees humans for higher-value work.
• Understanding AI tools amplifies unique human strengths.
• Economic development organizations play a role in broader community AI education.
• Quick wins in AI training build awareness and momentum.
• Future-ready employees will work alongside AI copilots to achieve more.