Making Sense of AI at Work

A facilitated pilot workshop hosted by New Oaks College

Venue

Radisson RED Waterfront
Cape Town

Date

Saturday
7th of March 2026

Pilot Workshop Fee

R1,500 per participant
Incl: Refreshments & 2 Course Meal

Time

09:00 – 14:00
Lunch served after 14:00

Format

In-person - Max 10 Participants

Why This Workshop Exists

AI is already part of everyday work — often quietly, inconsistently, and without shared understanding. Many professionals feel:

This pilot workshop is designed to create clarity and confidence, without technical overload or exaggerated promises. It is not about becoming an expert. It is about thinking clearly and responsibly about AI at work.

What This Session Is (and Isn’t)

This session is:

This session is not:

This is a pilot, designed to test ideas, language, and learning approaches.

Ryan Jacobs

Your Facilitator

Ryan Jacobs is the creator of The Art of Being, a reflective programme designed to help professionals and leaders develop clarity, presence, and judgement in complex environments.

His work focuses on an often-overlooked dimension of professional effectiveness: how people think, decide, and show up when there are no simple answers.

Ryan has worked closely with senior leaders through Mentally Fit South Africa, part of the globally respected Mentally Fit Institute, who support organisations as they navigate questions of culture, leadership readiness, and decision-making.

Through this work, a consistent pattern emerged: while organisations invest heavily in technical skills and performance metrics, the quality of human judgement is rarely addressed directly — even though it plays a critical role in risk, ethics, and sustainable outcomes.

This insight now informs Ryan’s work with AI in the workplace.

Rather than treating AI as a technical challenge, he approaches it as a human and organisational one — where clarity, responsibility, and discernment matter more than tools or speed.

This session is designed to create that clarity.

Who This Is For

This workshop is suited to:

No technical background or prior AI experience is required.

What We’ll Explore Together

During the session, we will cover:

What AI actually is — and what it isn’t — at work

Separating reality from hype and fear

Common misunderstandings and risks

Overconfidence, misuse, and quiet adoption

Human judgement and responsibility

What cannot (and should not) be automated

Practical, everyday use cases

Where AI can support work — and where caution is needed

Boundaries and professional judgement

Thinking clearly about when to use AI, and when not to

Participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring a real work context or question.

What’s Included

Facilitated workshop session
Interactive, small-group discussion
Arrival coffee & refreshments
Mid-session break
Two-course lunch & beverages
Venue, AV, and materials

You simply arrive and participate.

Why This Is a Pilot

This session forms part of New Oaks College’s exploration into future-focused learning around AI, work, and professional judgement. Participant feedback will help shape:

Spaces are intentionally limited to preserve quality of conversation.

Pricing

This pilot pricing of R1500 reflects:

Payment confirms your place.

Exploring thoughtful learning for a changing world of work

What You’ll Leave With

No tools. No productivity claims. Just clarity.

Reserve Your Place

If you’re curious about AI — and want to move beyond headlines into thoughtful, grounded understanding — this pilot is for you.