0Former journalist and Microsoft content safety director Shaun Davies has launched The AI Training Company to help Australian workplaces close the gap “between AI intention and execution”.The announcement:Shaun Davies, a former senior journalist and Microsoft content safety director, today announced the launch of The AI Training Company, a new venture dedicated to closing the gap between AI intention and execution in Australian workplaces.The company launches as businesses, particularly in the media and marketing sectors, grapple with the challenge of implementing AI. While hype and ambition are high, a lack of practical skills and clear governance is hindering progress. Executives may be enthusiastic about the transformational prospects of AI, but many employees have barely used the tools. OpenAI chief Sam Altman recently admitted that only 1% of users had tried an advanced reasoning model before the launch of GPT-5.Davies says: “I’ve been working on AI for many years. I’ve noticed there’s a big gap between what businesses hope to achieve with AI and the reality for their employees on the ground. It’s not enough to write a policy and purchase some licenses. Your teams need training in AI fundamentals like prompting, safety and testing to move past the beginner stages of AI to more impactful use cases.”“I’ve run multiple surveys to understand how businesses feel about AI and I hear three themes over and over: confusion over which tools to use, a desire for more training, and an equal measure of worry and excitement.”“A lack of training and clarity on AI creates a double-sided problem. On one hand, you have enthusiastic employees who are keen to get started, but do so on personal accounts, creating a ‘shadow AI’ problem that’s undocumented and risky. On the other, you have ‘AI avoiders’, underconfident employees who freeze up and avoid AI altogether. Both get in the way of a business’s journey to AI maturity.”“Having worked on disinformation and content safety, I’m keenly aware of the harms that AI can cause. The AI Training Company will also teach the responsible use of AI through thoughtful design and rigorous testing. Beyond practical, industry-specific training, we also help with needs assessments, experimental pilot programs, policy development and more.”Davies has spent 20 years at the forefront of major technology shifts, starting in digital journalism in the early 2000s. At Microsoft, he led AI safety and quality for a content feed seen by over a billion people. More recently, he worked with Google and Bastion Digital to train newsrooms across Australia and the Philippines in how to use AI. He is also the independent reviewer for the Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.The AI Training Company will offer a comprehensive suite of in-person training and strategic consulting services designed to provide employees with practical skills and organisations with clear frameworks for AI adoption.Offerings include:Corporate Training Workshops:Hands-on sessions for all levels, including foundational ‘AI Essentials’ briefings, deep dives on specific tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, and role-specific bootcamps for functions including marketing, communications, journalism, financial services, and more.Executive & Board Programs:A dedicated stream for leaders, featuring high-impact strategic briefings on the competitive landscape and governance, hands-on labs, and immersive half or full-day workshops to equip them to lead their organisation’s AI transformation.Strategic AI Consulting:For organisations requiring bespoke solutions, the company offers consulting services focused on AI strategy and roadmap development, the design and execution of AI pilot programs, and the development of practical, responsible AI policies and governance.“Our goal is to give teams the confidence and competence to use AI effectively,” Davies says. “To ensure that, I’m working with a handpicked team of senior consultants who are leading experts in their fields, from marketing to AI video. It’s about providing clarity, building practical skills, and creating a safe, productive environment for AI innovation to flourish.”Source: AI Training CompanyKeep up to date with the latest in media and marketingADVERTISEMENTGot a tip?topicsShaun DaviesThe AI Training CompanyShareTweetShareHave your sayLogin with:Continue withLinkedInorComment anonymouslyYour comment will be marked as unverifiedNameCommentΔADVERTISEMENTLatestOgilvy ANZ chief creative officer departsMumbrellacast: Is James Taylor the man for the job at Ooh Media?PHD's Stuart Bailey moves to Clemenger BBDOImagine if Australia's media actually worked togetherDeep fakes are no longer fiction: The new frontline in protecting brand trust