AI is a management responsibility—not (just) an IT issue
AI does not primarily change software—it changes business models, cost structures, and liability issues. That is precisely why senior management has a duty to actively steer AI initiatives rather than delegating them to IT. Those who run AI projects without a strategy risk not only wasting budget but, as of February 2025, also facing specific compliance risks under the EU AI Act.
Our AI training for executive leadership is not just a quick primer. It’s an intensive, focused workshop for decision-makers—those responsible for investments, structures, and responsibilities. Together with you, we’ll sort through what’s really happening in the market, which use cases are worthwhile, which risks specifically affect your company, and where you, as executives, need to take action before someone else does it for you.
Over the next 12 months, most medium-sized companies will face investment decisions in the six-figure range regarding AI platforms, AI licenses, and AI consulting. Those who understand the underlying issues make more confident decisions—and aren’t reliant on the judgment of external consultants or internal lobby groups.
Topic Modules — Selectable on a Modular Basis
The workshop will be tailored to your specific situation before it begins. Together, we’ll select the modules that are relevant to you from the following list.
AI Market Overview & Realistic ROI Expectations. What’s currently happening in the market—and what’s hype versus substance? Which ROI figures are realistic for which use cases, and which aren’t? With examples from mid-sized companies.
Compliance & Liability. EU AI Act, GDPR, industry-specific laws (e.g., KRITIS, BaFin requirements, MaRisk). What obligations do company executives have starting in February 2025? What fines could be imposed? What insurance coverage is required?
Mandatory employee training under Article 4 of the EU AI Act. What level of training is required? What documentation must be available? How do you demonstrate compliance in the event of an audit?
AI Risk Management & Data Protection. What data can be used in which tools? How do you prevent shadow IT? What risk assessment does the EU AI Act require?
Vendor Selection & Negotiation Guidelines. Microsoft Copilot vs. Google Workspace AI vs. an in-house RAG solution—how do you compare offers? What should you look for in license agreements? Which clauses are critical?
EU AI Act — Your Specific Obligations as Management
The EU AI Act has been partially in force since February 2025 and is gradually taking effect more broadly. For management, this primarily entails two obligations that take effect immediately:
Article 4 — Training Requirement for Employees. Everyone who uses or operates AI systems in your company must be trained. This applies not only to IT specialists, but also to every marketing employee who uses ChatGPT and every HR employee who works with Copilot. You must be able to demonstrate that the training has been completed.
Risk classification of your AI applications. You must know which AI systems your company uses and which risk class they fall into. High-risk systems (e.g., AI in recruiting or credit decisions) are subject to stricter requirements.
In the workshop, we’ll assess your specific situation: Which AI applications are currently in use at your company? Which of these are critical? Where is there an urgent need for action? You’ll leave the workshop with a clear action plan, not just general guidance.
Format, Agenda & Trainer Profile
Standard Format: Half-day strategy workshop, held on-site at your location or remotely via video conference. Maximum of 8 participants to ensure the workshop remains a dialogue rather than a lecture.
Optional 1-on-1 coaching. Upon request, a confidential 1-on-1 follow-up session 4–6 weeks after the workshop. You bring your pending decisions; we help you prioritize them. Experience shows that this is the session where most concrete investment decisions are finalized.
Our trainers. Not just professional trainers, but consultants and software architects with hands-on experience at prodot. Over the past 24 months, they’ve implemented AI projects for mid-sized companies—and can speak firsthand about what worked and what didn’t.
Confidentiality. The content and discussions from the workshop remain strictly confidential. Upon request, we’ll sign an NDA before the session.
prodot: Your Partner for Executive Training
For over 25 years, prodot has been a software service provider for German small and medium-sized businesses. We advise executives not from a PowerPoint perspective, but from the perspective of a company that has been implementing AI projects on a daily basis for the past 24 months.
Firsthand AI experience. prodot uses AI solutions in ourown client projects—from RAG advisory systems to GitHub Copilot rollouts to custom Microsoft Copilot Studio agents. We understand the reality beyond the marketing slides.
Independent Tool Recommendations. We don’t sell licenses; instead, we evaluate tools from the user’s perspective. Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source—what’s right for you depends on your situation, not on our commission.
End-to-end. If you want to implement a specific AI project after the workshop, we can support you every step of the way—from tool selection and technical implementation to employee training. Everything from a single source.
