1.2
LESSON 2
The AI Landscape Today
Cut through the confusion. Learn what AI really is, how tools like ChatGPT and Claude work, and — critically — what they’re good at versus where they fall short.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini
Free vs paid
The Business Owner AI Training Program
Stop guessing.Start using AI.
No jargon. No tech overwhelm. Just clear, actionable training that shows you exactly how to use AI to save time, create better content, and grow your business — starting this week.
Trusted by 200+ NZ Businesses
Built for SME business owners
Delivered by 123 Online
NZ-based training provider
Skool community included
Module 1 - Demystify
What AI actually is and what it can do for your business right now
Five focused lessons that take you from AI-curious to AI-confident. No prior tech knowledge needed.
1.1
Free Preview
LESSON 1
What AI Actually Is (and Isn't)
Cut through the confusion. Learn what AI really is, how tools like ChatGPT and Claude work, and — critically — what they’re good at versus where they fall short.
What is generative AI
AI strengths vs limits
Hallucinations
1.3
LESSON 3
What's Possible for YOUR Business
Discover the five categories of AI opportunity for SMEs, with real examples from NZ businesses like yours. This is the lesson where the lightbulb goes on.
5 AI categories
Real SME examples
Content & marketing
Admin & ops
1.4
LESSON 4
The Opportunity Gap
Honest context on where most NZ SMEs sit right now — and why the gap between those using AI well and those not using it is growing every month.
First-mover advantage
SME AI adoption
Compound learning
1.5
LESSON 5 - MODULE DELIVERABLE
Your AI Mindset
The lesson that makes everything stick. Tackle the real barriers — fear of getting it wrong, imposter syndrome, “it’s not for me” — and build the mindset to actually follow through.
Mindset barriers
AI as leverage
Reality Check worksheet
Free Lesson Preview
Lesson 1.1: What AI Actually Is (and Isn't)
The full lesson content - exactly what module members receive.
Lesson 1.1 — What AI Actually Is (and Isn't)
Module 1: Demystify · 10–15 minute lesson
FULL LESSON - FREE
AI is not a robot. It's not magic. At its most basic level, AI is software — a type of computer programme that is really, really good at recognising patterns and generating responses based on those patterns.
Key Teaching Points
AI is software that learns from data.
The current wave — Generative AI — is powered by Large Language Models (LLMs). ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are all LLMs, trained on billions of words to predict and generate language.
When you ask it a question, AI isn't looking it up.
It's generating a response word by word, based on patterns from training. That's why it's so good at writing, summarising and brainstorming.
AI can "hallucinate".
That's the actual industry term for when AI generates something that sounds completely plausible but is factually wrong. Always review AI output before using it. Treat it like advice from a smart friend who's read everything — but isn't a certified expert.
AI IS GREAT AT
- Writing and editing
- Summarising documents
- Brainstorming ideas
- Explaining concepts in plain English
- Drafting emails, proposals, posts
AI IS NOT RELIABLE FOR
- Real-time information
- Accurate maths and calculations
- Legal or medical advice
- Being 100% factually correct
- Replacing your judgement.
THE BEST ANALOGY
Think of AI as a brilliant new assistant who has read everything on the internet. They know an enormous amount and can write beautifully. But they're new, they sometimes get things wrong, and they need you to check their work before it goes out. Brilliant. Fast. Tireless. And best used with a human in charge.
Your action task for this lesson
Open ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) or Claude (claude.ai) and ask it one question about your business. Don't overthink it — just try it. Notice how it responds. Start to get a feel for what this thing can actually do.
Want the rest?
Join the full programme on Skool to access all 5 lessons, the AI Reality Check worksheet, and the community.
Meet Your Trainer
Practical AI training from someone who uses it every day
Larissa Daly - Director, 123 Online
Digital Transformation Specialist | AI & Automation Lead
Larissa has spent over ten years helping New Zealand businesses cut through messy processes, adopt the right digital tools, and build systems that deliver results. She works daily with SMEs on digital transformation: identifying what's slowing them down, designing solutions, and upskilling teams to run those solutions themselves.
Her background spans business analysis, project management, AI automation, systems integration, and technical documentation. She holds a Diploma in Science and Technology (Computer Science) from Massey University, and has designed and delivered training materials, run workshops, and presented at conferences for national franchise networks — including technology talks at industry events.
She knows how to take technical capability and translate it into plain language that sticks.
Larissa is currently completing Anthropic's certification programme (the training platform behind Claude, one of the world's leading AI systems). She holds the Claude 101 certification and Introduction to Claude Cowork and is working through the full series, including AI Fluency, API skills, and advanced business applications.
The Full Programme
The Business Owner AI Training Programme
A structured training and upskilling programme designed to take NZ business owners from AI-curious to AI-capable — one practical module at a time.
2
Module 2
Audit : Your Business AI Opportunity Map
Identify your highest-value AI opportunities and build your personal AI roadmap.
3
Module 3
Activate: Get Set Up and Start Using AI
Hands-on setup and your first real AI workflows. Stop planning, start doing.
4
Module 4
Content: Write Faster, Market Better
Master AI for content creation: emails, social media, blogs, proposals and more.
5
Module 5
Your AI Mindset
Move from ad-hoc AI use to embedded workflows. Prompts, processes, and habits that compound over time.
Your competitive advantage starts here
The gap between business owners using AI well and those who aren't is growing every month. This programme gets you on the right side of that gap — fast.