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Techday NZ
26-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
If you view AI as purely technical, your projects will fail
Use the right training strategy to bring every employee on your AI journey Originally published on iTNews, we share insights on the need for an organisation-wide program to plan for, upskill in and implement artificial intelligence technology. The extraordinary capabilities of generative AI (genAI) platforms have captured the business world's imagination – and a growing portion of its IT budgets. Yet even as tech giants work to make genAI technology more accessible, experts warn that companies focused solely on that technology are bound to fail. That's because genAI isn't a silver bullet for every business problem. Simply directing developers and IT leaders to join the stampede towards the technology is unlikely to deliver the benefits business leaders want from it. "Organisations have a wide variety of reasons" for embracing AI, noted James Finley, Senior Systems trainer with training provider Lumify Work (formerly DDLS in Australia and Auldhouse in New Zealand). Lumify offers a range of AI-intensive training courses, including its 8-week CloudUp and AWS Generative AI Accelerator boot camps, AWS Skill Builder on-demand digital training, and AI-related practitioner certifications. In working with early adopters across the ANZ region, Finley has seen companies embrace AI for both internally focused projects—those using the technology to improve internal efficiencies—and those building "externally facing solutions" to support customer care and other operations. "Every organisation is different, and it comes down to what their first jumping-off point is," Finley said, "but I am seeing people coming from a wide variety of platforms." Perhaps instinctively, he noted, early adopters are often technical – data platform experts, infrastructure, sysops or developer team members – with many people doubling up on roles as enthusiastic team members expand their skills in more than one area. Many companies "are looking at people they know and trust internally to get that foothold," he explained, "but when they get some known quantities and start saying that they need more staff, they need someone who understands the business and what they're trying to achieve." Moreover, according to the Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future report, while almost every department in an organisation can derive significant value from AI applications, many view just three departments as getting the most benefits, when in reality, AI should boost all parts of the organisation. In Australia, the perceived top three AI beneficiaries are IT (87 per cent), sales and marketing (83 per cent), and business operations (82 per cent). In New Zealand, the big three AI beneficiaries are IT (86 per cent), sales and marketing (85 per cent), and finance (83 per cent). Extending AI from technical project to business driver Changing your approach from technical project to business driver is essential for AI success, and truly integrating AI into the business requires time, patience, and widespread buy-in. Without such buy-in, many executives risk becoming disillusioned by AI in the short term, Gartner recently advised, predicting that companies will abandon 30 per cent of genAI projects by the end of 2025. This attrition will be written large as organisations drop millions on integrating genAI services into their apps and building custom models from scratch, then find they solved a different problem than they needed to—or commit resources to solving business problems without considering whether AI is even the appropriate solution. The benefits of genAI "are very company, use case, role and workforce specific," Gartner distinguished VP analyst Rita Sallam said, noting that the impact of genAI projects "may not be immediately evident and may materialise over time." Keeping that focus can be tough given the sheer breadth and capability of genAI and broader AI capabilities available through APIs that tap services like AWS Bedrock, which offers developers a smorgasbord of technological solutions encompassing a range of genAI technologies. Indeed, some estimates suggest that 80 per cent of AI projects will fail—twice the rate of non-AI projects—with one recent study blaming a range of issues, including stakeholders failing to effectively communicate the problem that needs solving, the lack of the necessary data and infrastructure to train and deliver AI, or teams focused more on the latest and greatest technology than on solving real problems for their users. "The foundation models are capable of doing a whole bunch of things," said AWS technical trainer Peter Vandaele, "and then it's up to you as a programmer or as a developer to focus it so you can integrate that into your own application." "We try to be very, very broad and allow you to use that inside your application through a simple, unified API that lets you start adding more things like extra knowledge bases or even giving it agency to execute tasks." "It's not doing your job, but it is an assistant." Where are the champions? Many technical staff will have dabbled in AI for their own knowledge – either by experimenting with hosted AI systems or by working on early-stage pilot programs – but companies looking to get serious about AI must consider a more structured program of technical and business training to ensure the whole company is on board. "Understanding how to unlock the technology through core cloud training and skills is absolutely critical to be able to make the most of AI," explained Leif Pedersen, APAC cloud and AI product manager with Lumify Work. Once known as Dimension Data Learning Services (formerly DDLS in Australia and Auldhouse in New Zealand), Lumify has positioned its broad range of technical and business training offerings as what Pedersen called a "one-stop shop for organisations and customers to come get everything they need from a training and development certification point of view." Yet such training is only part of the change that companies need to plan to make their AI and genAI projects a success: companies also need to cater to non-technical teams by establishing internal teams to advocate and train employees in ways that are meaningful to them. As in many other business change projects, the appointment of 'champions of change' can be invaluable to helping extend AI culture across the organisation. "Any sort of adoption process or cultural change inside an organisation, really just needs some champions to pick it up," Pedersen said, noting that companies choosing technical AI training should also consider how to identify and train those champions. Ultimately, technical teams and AI-focused managers should engage with those champions to build end-user acceptance of new technologies that will improve how they work. "This is not something that should be forced down from the top," said Vandaele. "You want buy-in from the ground up, and training can really help blanket the organisation with education." This is particularly important regarding genAI, he added, because "there's a lot of talk about it, a lot of buzz, and a lot of myths and fear going around." "The more we know about something and the more we understand something, the less we fear it – so it is going to be really important moving forward that organisations spend time really creating buy-in on a very broad level."
Techday NZ
02-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Lumify Group wins top cyber security training award for 2025
Lumify Group has received the title of 'Cyber Security Training Business of the Year' at the 2025 Australian Cyber Awards. The award recognises Lumify Group's contribution to strengthening cyber skills in Australia. Alongside the principal award, two Lumify Group employees were also named finalists in individual categories. Jeremy Daly was recognised as a finalist for the Cyber Security Rising Star (SME) award, while Louis Cremen was acknowledged in the Cyber Security Champion of the Year (Internal) category. In 2024, Lumify Group reported significant growth in the number of students enrolled in its cybersecurity courses. The company has worked with a diverse range of clients, including Federal, State and local government agencies, the Australian Defence Force, major banks and companies, small and medium enterprises, and individual learners. Lumify Group, which operated previously as DDLS Group, offers what it states is the largest suite of cybersecurity training solutions in Australia. The company provides instruction suited to individuals at various stages of their careers, from those at entry level to experienced professionals and senior executives. All courses are delivered through its subsidiaries. Lumify Learn is tailored to early-career professionals and offers a variety of options ranging from bootcamps aligned with industry certification to Certificate III and Diplomas in key cybersecurity topics, such as ethical hacking and network security. For professionals seeking to expand their skill sets, Lumify Work delivers training in official certifications from bodies such as ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, EC Council, Offsec, PECB, Practical DevSecOps and Certnexus. The curriculum also covers security courses from vendors including Microsoft, AWS, Google and CISCO. In addition, Lumify Work runs a custom workshop for senior leaders, management, and executives focusing on cybersecurity at the leadership and board level. Jon Lang, Chief Executive Officer of Lumify Group, said, "Whether we are bringing new students into the industry, upskilling businesses to meet their specific needs or assisting the government to strengthen our national security capabilities – we are deeply committed to closing the cyber skills gap. Being officially recognised by the Australian Cyber Awards is a strong reflection of this ongoing commitment." Jeremy Daly, Lumify Work Cyber Security Lead, commented, "For more than three decades, we've upskilled thousands of teams and businesses, partnering with the world's top tech vendors to become Australasia's leaders in ICT training. With our combination of cybersecurity certification training and accredited learning, we're able to deliver on the full spectrum of IT and cybersecurity training from an individual's first entry into the industry through to ongoing skills and development needed for seasoned professionals." The company offers flexible delivery options for its cybersecurity programmes, providing choices between instructor-led training at six campuses, virtual sessions, or fully online self-paced study. Lumify's instructors bring considerable professional experience, ensuring that course content remains relevant and up-to-date. Lumify Work also provides custom training programmes tailored to clients' specific technology environments and organisational roles. In addition to teaching, Lumify Group supports jobseekers through its Lumify Edge careers portal. The platform connects students, businesses and recruiters, and enables graduates to promote themselves and apply for roles with the company's industry partners. The company has also introduced a job placement programme for Lumify Learn graduates. Under the initiative, students who do not secure full-time work after completing their course receive a money-back guarantee. The programme facilitates a transition from education to employment, offering 12-week IT internships to provide on-the-job experience.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lumify Work Partners with AI CERTs™ to Bring Cutting-Edge AI Certifications to ANZ
/ -- Lumify Work enters a strategic partnership with AI CERTs™ to deliver the first comprehensive suite of vendor-agnostic AI certifications for the Australia, New Zealand, and Philippine markets. This collaboration sets a new benchmark for AI education, empowering individuals and organisations with future-ready skills to excel in an AI-driven world. By integrating AI CERTs™' industry-validated certifications with Lumify Work's expertise in digital transformation, professionals will be empowered with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's dynamic technology landscape. AI CERTs™ certifications take a pioneering role-based approach, offering individuals role-specific, vendor-agnostic training that ensures adaptability and resilience in today's rapidly evolving AI landscape. From technical specialists to business professionals, AI CERTs™ certifications cater to the needs of diverse roles and industries, positioning workforces to harness the full potential of AI. Aligned with ISO 17024:2012 standards, AI CERTs™ certifications are designed to ensure credibility and relevance. These certifications are recognised as benchmarks of excellence in the industry. Jon Lang, CEO of Lumify Group, said this partnership positions Lumify Work as a provider of these certifications in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, giving organisations privileged access to premium AI training. 'With the introduction of AI CERTs™, Lumify Work reinforces its leadership in AI education. These role-specific, vendor-agnostic certifications empower individuals and organisations with cutting-edge skills and globally validated credentials to navigate the evolving AI landscape. Together with AI CERTs™, we're preparing our students to drive innovation and achieve transformative growth,' said Lang. Russell Sarder, CEO of AI CERTs™ commented, 'Our partnership with Lumify Work represents a major milestone in delivering practical, industry-aligned AI certifications to the ANZ market. By joining forces, we're equipping professionals with the skills they need to excel and thrive in the ever-evolving tech environment.' Lumify Work has already scheduled the AI CERTs™ top and most popular courses, including: 1. AI+ Executive™: Provides a solid understanding of AI fundamentals, data management, and its applications in business, marketing, finance, and HR. It equips learners with skills in AI strategy, governance, risk management, and team leadership for successful AI integration and organisational transformation. 2. AI+ Everyone™: Explores AI basics and the ethical considerations of its technologies and applications. It also looks at how generative AI can enhance creativity and innovation. 3. AI+ Ethics™: Addresses the ethical implications and social impacts of AI. It teaches learners strategies for responsible decision-making, focusing on preventing bias in AI systems, protecting privacy, securing AI and data, and complying with global AI regulations. 4 .AI+ Prompt Engineer™: Teaches learners how to write effective AI prompts, optimise them for specific tasks, and troubleshoot to enhance model performance. It also covers AI tools and frameworks for prompt engineering, preprocessing image data, fine-tuning models, and optimising performance for image classification and synthesis. Peter Clark, General Manager for Lumify Work, commented on the growing demand for AI training, ' We are experiencing a surge in demand for AI training, with many clients seeking guidance on how to equip their teams for AI's transformative impact across all roles in an organisation. However, many organisations struggle with knowing where to start. Our AI CERTs™ are designed to bridge this gap, complementing our existing training portfolio and catering to the diverse needs of professional and technical roles across all sectors. By offering a flexible and customisable model, we empower businesses to overcome training hurdles and fully harness AI's vast potential to scale their initiatives effectively.' Future offerings will expand into an unmatched portfolio covering core roles (e.g., AI+ Sales™, AI+ Marketing™, AI+ Finance™), technical domains (e.g., AI+ Cloud™, AI+ Security™, AI+ Chief AI Officer™), and specialised industries (e.g., AI+ Legal™, AI+ Healthcare™, AI+ Government™), creating a robust roadmap for building AI-ready teams across every level. Available from 1 February 2025, these certifications provide businesses with a clear roadmap to building AI-ready teams across every organisational level. For more than three decades, Lumify Work (formerly known as DDLS in Australia and the Philippines, and Auldhouse in New Zealand) has been enabling progress by helping organisations embrace change. This partnership with AI CERTs™ aligns with Lumify's goal of equipping people with mission-critical tech skills to transform teams, supercharge careers, and future-proof businesses. Organisations can access the largest range of authorised training in ANZ and PH through flexible options: online, in-person at Lumify's ten state-of-the-art campuses, or via a tailored digital program to suit their tech stack and team needs. This ensures that businesses can provide their teams with the right training, no matter their location or specific requirements. AI CERTs™ training and certifications empower organisations to build a smarter workforce by equipping teams with in-demand skills for the AI era. These certifications drive growth by unlocking innovation and creating new opportunities through AI expertise. Furthermore, they help organisations adapt to change, enabling them to stay ahead of rapid technological advancements with validated, future-proofed skills. For more information on the AI CERTs™ courses, schedules, and certifications, please visit the Lumify Work website at About Lumify Group For more than three decades, Lumify Group (formerly DDLS) has been helping organisations and people master technological change across Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. As the preferred training partner of the world's leading technology vendors, Lumify Group can create best-in-class, vendor-authorised learning experiences for its students and customers across a vast and ever-growing range of topics and courses. Through its core brands – Lumify Learn, Lumify Work, Lumify People, Nexacu, City Desktop Training, Plain English Foundation, ENS and Wizard Corporate Training – it can deliver the full spectrum of IT training. Watch the Lumify Group video here, and visit the website at About Lumify Work Lumify Work is a leading provider of IT and process training for business and enterprise customers in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. With 30 years of experience in the training market, Lumify Work offers courses that are designed to equip workforces with mission-critical tech skills to transform teams, supercharge careers, and future-proof businesses. Lumify Work's best-in-class, vendor-certified IT and process training is delivered in classroom and online by industry- accredited award-winning trainers. The company's pragmatic and real-world ready courses cover cutting-edge topics such as Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, AI, and Agile. Lumify Work delivers its content to over 20,000 students every year, online, in classrooms, and in workplaces. For more information, visit About AI CERTs™ AI CERTs empowers technical and business professionals with a comprehensive suite of role-based AI and blockchain certifications. These certifications are meticulously designed to align with the esteemed ISO 17024:2012 standards, guaranteeing the highest quality and credibility. AI CERTs is committed to keeping pace with the ever-evolving tech landscape. Our ever-expanding portfolio, with over 40+ additional certifications in development, provides industry-relevant and up-to-date knowledge. This expansive range caters to a diverse audience, from customer service reps to executives to developers and more, seeking to leverage these transformative technologies for strategic advantage. Our certifications cater to professionals in key industries, bridging the gap between theory and practice through hands-on, real-world applications, including live projects. Learners benefit from live projects and hands-on training, ensuring practical knowledge and real-world application. AI CERTs +1 646-767-7883 X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Legal Disclaimer:
