Who is it for?
The programme is designed for working professionals from any sector who want to understand AI beyond the basics. If you've tried ChatGPT a few times but aren't sure what else is out there, or if you've been hearing about AI at work and want to explore it properly, this is for you.
You don't need to be technical. You don't need to know how to code. You don't need any prior experience with AI beyond having used a search engine and perhaps tried a chatbot once or twice.
What you'll need
The requirements are deliberately minimal:
- A computer or smartphone with a web browser
- An internet connection
- An email address (for signing up to tools you'll try along the way)
- A willingness to experiment
That's it. Every tool recommended in the programme has a free tier, so you won't need to pay for anything to complete the activities. Where a paid tier offers additional features, we'll mention it, but it's never required.
How the programme is structured
The 23 Things are grouped into phases that build on each other, starting with the fundamentals and gradually introducing more advanced tools and concepts. You'll begin with AI chatbots and how to communicate with them effectively, move through text, images, audio, video, and code, and finish with critical thinking about AI's limitations, ethics, and future.
Each Thing follows the same format:
- A short introduction explaining what the tool or concept is and why it matters
- Curated resources if you want to go deeper
- A practical activity that produces something tangible: an image, a document, an audio file, a comparison, a report
- An Open Badge you can earn by submitting your activity output
The activities are designed to take between 30 and 60 minutes. Some you'll finish more quickly; a few might take a bit longer if you get absorbed in experimenting. That's fine. The point is exploration, not box-ticking.
Working at your own pace
There's no fixed timescale. You can work through one Thing a day, one a week, or dip in and out whenever you have time. The Things are designed to be done in order (later ones build on skills and concepts from earlier ones) but if something catches your eye, there's nothing stopping you from jumping ahead.
Earning Open Badges
Each Thing has an associated Open Badge, which you can earn by submitting evidence of your completed activity via cred.scot. Open Badges are a recognised way of demonstrating learning and professional development. They're digital credentials you can share on LinkedIn, include in a portfolio, or reference in professional reviews.
To earn a badge, you'll submit the output from the Thing's activity along with a short reflection on what you learned. The specific requirements are explained at the end of each Thing. You don't have to earn the badges to benefit from the programme, but they're there if you want a record of your learning.
A note on privacy and work examples
Throughout the programme, we'll ask you to try AI tools with real content: text you've written, documents you want to analyse, images you want to create. An important rule: use your own personal examples, not work materials. Many employers have confidentiality requirements, data protection policies, or NDAs that could be breached by uploading work content to third-party AI tools. To keep things simple and safe, stick to personal content for all activities. We'll remind you of this along the way.
Staying current
AI tools change quickly. A feature that exists today might look different in three months, and new tools appear regularly. We've designed the programme around concepts and skills rather than specific product features wherever possible, but some details will inevitably date. Each Thing includes a "last reviewed" date so you can see how current it is, and we'll update the content regularly.
If you find something that's changed or a link that's broken, you're welcome to let us know via digialitay.co.uk.
Want something more structured?
The programme is designed to work as a self-paced resource, but if you think your team or organisation would benefit from a facilitated workshop, either online or face-to-face, to get people started or to work through the Things together, get in touch via digialitay.co.uk. Workshops can be tailored to your sector and your team's starting point.
And if you have any questions, spot something that needs updating, or just want to say hello, you're welcome to get in touch through the same route.