Keeping up with the rapid pace of artificial intelligence can feel overwhelming. In the professional world, the pressure to understand and leverage AI is immense, and the fear of falling behind is real. This challenge was perfectly captured by a powerful metaphor shared by my dear fellow John: in the world of AI, you are either "on the bus or under the bus." This simple phrase sets a clear choice—proactively engage with this transformative technology or risk being run over by its momentum. Here are the most impactful takeaways from a recent five-day AI-Native training experience in Hanoi, Vietnam, offering a glimpse into what it takes to get on the bus.
The Real Question: Are You On the Bus?
The "on the bus, or under the bus" theme serves as a potent metaphor for the urgent need for professionals and enterprises to engage with AI proactively. The phrase is so impactful because it cuts through the noise and complexity, boiling the current technological moment down to a simple question of agency. It's not about passively waiting to see what happens; it's about taking control in an era of exponential change.
Even if you don't know which direction the bus is heading, if you're on it you can direct it onto the best route, properly leveraging the exponential and emergent aspects of next-gen AI technologies.
AI Mastery Isn't One-Size-Fits-All
In a field that often feels chaotic and undefined, a surprisingly clarifying lesson was that there isn't a single path to AI competency. The AI-Native program, created by Scaled Agile, Inc., acknowledges that different roles require different skills by offering two distinct, internationally certified courses. They represent two different kinds of tickets to get on the bus, each designed for a specific type of journey.
For Everyone: The Foundations Course
The AI-Native Foundations course is the essential starting point for all professionals, designed to take anyone "From ChatGPT User to AI Power User." The course builds a critical toolkit, starting with demystifying the jargon in the "Anatomy of AI" before moving to practical application with "Advanced Prompting." From there, it teaches professionals how to reimagine their work with "Workflow Redesign"—identifying where AI fits and where it doesn't. This is all framed by the "7 AI-Native Success Factors," ensuring every professional can build and execute a personal "30-90 Day Plan." The primary impact is transforming the workforce from being reactive to proactive in the face of technological change, delivering clear and trackable productivity ROI.
For Leaders: The Change Agent Course
The AI-Native Change Agent course is designed for those responsible for leading their organization's AI transformation, guiding them "From Stuck Pilot to Shipped Product." It directly addresses the staggering reality that over 80% of AI initiatives fail. Leaders learn to uncover "Blockers to Value," use the "VORD Discovery Process" for high-value opportunities, and master "Stakeholder Mapping & Change Journeys" to build alignment and reduce resistance. The course provides a framework for translating a "'Cool Demo' to Business Case" and applying "Running Lean AI Cycles" to test and pivot without waiting for perfect data. The key business outcome is the ability to close the "AI Execution Gap" faster than competitors by aligning business, technology, and delivery teams around shared goals.
The Counter-Intuitive Power of In-Person Training
As a self-described "very remote first person," I was surprised by how much the on-site environment in Hanoi enhanced the learning experience. The benefits were immediate and tangible: it enabled the sharing of practical tips and allowed instructors to provide hands-on help the moment a student got stuck, and it fostered a richer, more dynamic exchange of insights among professionals from different cultures. As prospective trainers ourselves, the course provided a deep dive into the core principles of AI-Native education. For a discipline as abstract and fast-moving as AI, this immediate, high-bandwidth human feedback loop proved to be an indispensable accelerator for learning.
Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most memorable and valuable learning happened outside the formal training sessions, reinforcing that true professional growth is often about connection and shared experience.
Shared Meals
Lunches and dinners were far more than just breaks. They became lively forums for exploring local cuisine while discussing our jobs and client experiences with professionals from Denmark, Singapore, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The concepts discussed in the classroom, like the "7 AI-Native Success Factors," took on new life during these dinners, where we debated their real-world application in our respective industries.
Agile Meetup: Transformation Case Studies Night
We also had a chance to be part of Agile meetup transformation case studies night where the Agilead Global fellows shared their experience and lessons learned with transformation in companies. But not to leave our fellow colleagues from Vietnam in sharing their stories alone, Milan also shared his experience with transformation in FedEx in an incredible, lovely and concise way. Ola shared what AI Native courses bring to the corporate clients, and why it is really valuable for enterprise employees to go through those. It was a perfect informal get-together with the others. As I listened carefully with a smile on my face, I realized how the Western and Eastern cultures can be different, but the people can also be very much the same in Asia, Europe or the US. Even and especially in the enterprises.
It's Not Just About Tech, It's About People
Perhaps the most surprising lesson of all was that for a course centered on advanced technology, the ultimate takeaway was deeply human. The experience underscored that AI transformation is ultimately a human endeavor, a sentiment captured perfectly by my dear friend Jaroslav. The program concluded with an unexpectedly creative finale where we used AI to create a humorous video, capturing the unique energy and collaborative spirit of the cohort. This served as a powerful reminder that while technology is a tool, people provide the purpose, creativity, and drive. The week was a mix of deep focus and great humor, and the progress made together was worth celebrating.
Thanks to everyone for the inspiration, energy, and for proving that AI-Native is not just about technology but about the people who shape it together.
Your Seat on the Bus Is Waiting
Effective AI adoption is more than a technical challenge; it's a human one. It requires a powerful combination of foundational knowledge for everyone, strategic leadership to guide implementation, and the invaluable human connection that turns abstract ideas into tangible progress. The old English saying goes, you can either be on the bus or under the bus. So, where would you like to be?
You can check out the courses at enterprisemovement.ai
