Upskilling Your Workforce: Building Practical AI Capability
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM) (CDT)
Description
AI adoption is only as strong as your team’s ability to use it responsibly and confidently.
In this session, you will build a structured 30-day workforce development plan focused on five essential AI-related skills: drafting, refining, reviewing, organizing, and communicating with clarity. You will examine how these skills show up in daily work and how to introduce them in manageable stages that reduce overwhelm and reinforce human oversight.
- Using a guided planning template, you will:
- Map out a four-week AI skill-building roadmap
- Identify low-risk, high-impact practice tasks
- Reinforce data boundaries and review expectations
- Align workforce development with your internal AI policy
You will leave with a practical, ready-to-implement 30-day upskilling plan you can adapt for your team. Please bring a laptop or tablet if you would like to work directly within the planning template.
Meet the Speaker: Dr. Jean Hess, Human-Centered AI Strategist

Dr. Jean Hess is a strategist, educator, and internationally recognized thought leader known for helping organizations make sense of artificial intelligence with clarity and care. Drawing on decades of experience leading large-scale initiatives across education, technology, and organizational systems, she works with leaders to integrate AI in ways that are ethical, practical, and human-centered.
Dr. Hess is trusted for her ability to turn complex ideas into clear, actionable guidance—particularly where communication, decision-making, and accountability intersect. Rather than focusing on tools or hype, her work helps organizations understand how AI fits into their culture, workflows, and responsibilities, strengthening trust and consistency as they scale.
Known for her warmth, insight, and grounded approach, Dr. Hess brings calm leadership to conversations about AI, helping organizations move forward thoughtfully in a rapidly changing landscape.
Members: $25
Non-Members: $35
43 W. Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506 United States