About Us
Guiding You Confidently To An AI-Assisted Future
At its core, The Gen AI Academy is committed to delivering real-world change for organisations investing in AI. Our learning style is outcome-focused, designed by industry-leading experts actively shaping the AI landscape at some of the world’s largest organisations.
How It Started
When Dave and Helena met back in the early 2010s little did they know that they would not only be working together but building a business together. In the time between then and now Dave became deeply invested in teaching people how to be creative and how to use AI ethically using a human first approach. Helena progressed her career in marketing through the consulting and media industries.
When the two reconnected in 2024 the idea of The Gen AI Academy was born, to bring together some of the best minds in AI to help educate the entire workforce about AI, not for the sake of it but for the benefit of the people.
Our Mission
To close the global AI skills gap by providing clear, credible, and actionable training.
Meet Our Team
Helena McAleer
Co-Founder
Dave Birss
Co-Founder
Client Director
Exec Admin Extraordinaire
Helena McAleer
Co-Founder
Dave Birss
Co-Founder
Client Director
Exec Admin Extraordinaire
Trusted By
Our Values
Human First
We believe AI is most powerful when it works with people, not instead of them. Our approach keeps your workforce at the centre, building confidence, capability, and careers rather than replacing them with agents.
Grounded
No hype, none at all. Our programmes are rooted in what AI tools can genuinely do today, and what actually drives lasting change inside organisations, not what makes a good headline.
Actionable
Every session we run ends the same way: with every participant more confident in using AI and ready to apply it in their role. No theory without practice. No inspiration without implementation.
About The Gen AI Academy
The Gen AI Academy is a pioneering education and advisory platform dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organisations unlock the true potential of Generative AI. It focuses on practical, expert-led learning that cuts through hype to deliver real transformation.
The academy was co-founded by Dave Birss and Helena McAleer.
Dave Birss is a globally recognised educator and consultant on Generative AI, creativity, and innovation, with bestselling books and top-rated courses.
Helena McAleer is an innovation strategist and marketer. Her background in consulting, media, publishing, and social provides the perfect blend of experience to create The Gen AI Academy.
Together, they founded The Gen AI Academy to bring practical, trusted AI education to individuals and organisations worldwide.
The mission of The Gen AI Academy is to empower individuals, teams, and organisations to innovate and succeed in the rapidly evolving landscape of Generative AI, using trusted, verified experts.
To make AI education accessible for every person, team and organisation. To ensure everyone thrives in an AI driven future.
Courses & Learning
Our on-demand courses vary from one to four hours in length and cover different difficulty levels. All courses are delivered by experts actively implementing AI transformations in organisations.
The courses are designed for professionals at every level — from individuals just starting with AI, to managers and leaders embedding AI into their teams, to organisations looking for full-scale transformation.
No. Our courses are designed for practical application, focusing on how you can leverage AI in your role without requiring any coding knowledge. We prioritize frameworks and strategies essential for driving AI transformation, rather than delving into the underlying technology itself.
AI Literacy, Business, Data, Legal & Compliance, Ethics, Creativity, Marketing, Workflow & Productivity, Strategy, HR & People Development, and Leadership.
Yes. Every course includes a Gen AI Academy Certificate of Completion. The Academy is also actively working with partners to secure external accreditation in the future.
Yes, we provide free courses to job seekers who are struggling to find their next role. If this is you, please register here and a member of the team will be in touch with you.
Get In Touch
Not sure where to start with AI? Let’s talk. We’ll help you find the right approach for your team.