Navigating the AI Tsunami: Leveraging Immersive Learning to Stay Afloat"

As I've stepped into more discussions about using artificial intelligence (AI) for business, a question consistently arises: "How do you stay up on AI?"

It's a fair question—and one that initially gave me pause. The pace of AI development is unprecedented, and I often feel like I'm just treading water, right alongside everyone else. However, I've chosen a different path: to jump in, swim upstream, and learn by doing.

The AI Tsunami: Why It Feels Overwhelming

Let's be honest. It feels like we've only been in the AI age for a moment. OpenAI’s ChatGPT made its public debut in November 2022, and yet the growth has been explosive. In fact, ChatGPT became the fastest-growing consumer application in history, reaching 100 million users in just two months [1]. The implications for business, learning, and personal productivity are massive.

According to Stanford’s 2024 AI Index Report, investment in generative AI skyrocketed in 2023, with more than $25 billion poured into the sector [2]. In short, AI isn't slowing down. The floodgates are wide open, and we're all swimming for relevance.

So how do you "stay up" on a field that changes every week? You don’t just stay up. You immerse yourself.

Immersive Learning in AI: My Personal Strategy

When I first began teaching AI concepts, I was barely a month into my own learning journey. I was asked to deliver an overview of AI to an entire business unit—thousands of employees. That pressure forced me to learn fast. Since then, my job has evolved into supporting enterprise-wide AI adoption, launching pilot projects, and training teams across multiple departments.

Despite this, the sensation of "drinking from a firehose" remains. Why? Because AI doesn't just evolve—it mutates with dizzying speed. But that's precisely why immersion matters.

Here's how I stay afloat—and how you can, too.

1. Consume AI Media Regularly

I listen to a wide range of AI-focused podcasts & YouTube channels. These formats let me digest information on the go and offer perspectives from both business leaders and technical experts.

Research Insight: Lifelong learning is most effective when integrated into daily routines. Microlearning—short, focused segments of learning—is particularly effective in tech-heavy fields [3].

2. Follow Other AI Thought Leaders

Whether it's Andrew Ng on LinkedIn or experts at MIT and Stanford’s HAI (Human-Centered AI Initiative), I regularly engage with professionals who are publishing insights, tools, and case studies. Not sure where to start? Try subscribing to newsletters like Ben’s Bites or AI Daily Brief.

3. Use the Tools—Don't Just Read About Them

Here's where the rubber meets the road. I actively use AI tools to assist in research, analyze data, and complete tasks. One of the best ways to learn a new technology is to apply it to something personal.

For example, I've used AI to write and produce music—yes, full songs. Writing lyrics, generating harmonies, designing artwork, and even producing music videos has stretched my understanding of prompt engineering, audio synthesis, and AI-based creativity tools.

Pedagogical Backing: Project-based learning (PBL) is one of the most impactful ways to retain new skills. It engages learners in real-world challenges, increasing knowledge retention and motivation [4].

4. Teach What You're Learning

I've found that the quickest way to solidify a concept is by teaching it. Whether I'm creating a PowerPoint presentation, writing an article, or leading a workshop, I gain a much deeper understanding by sharing knowledge with others. When I have to explain something, I often discover gaps in my own comprehension and work to fill them. You might notice that I regularly publish both songs and articles; this practice is a key part of my growth.

This approach might seem self-serving, and in a way, it is. I write articles and produce songs primarily to deepen my own understanding and refine my skills. Yet, the act of sharing this knowledge compels me to ensure its professionalism and accuracy. The result is a win-win: I solidify my learning, and others benefit from the insights. While the topics I explore aren't always directly aligned with the organizations I support or client's immediate needs, this personal investment has led to an unexpected outcome: colleagues, professional associations, and friends increasingly turn to me for executive summaries and consult with me on AI-based solutions, I was recently introduced as an AI learning thought leader to a client by a team I support.

5. Work on Something That Matters to You

Personal passion accelerates professional growth. For me, it’s songwriting. For you, it might be marketing, coding, graphic design, or even automating personal tasks.

AI’s strength lies in its adaptability. You don’t need to be a coder to build AI fluency. Thanks to no-code and low-code platforms like Zapier, Notion AI, and Microsoft Copilot, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

Key Point: The goal isn’t to master every AI model—it’s to find relevant applications and build incremental skills through actual use.

A Final Thought: Treading Water vs. Standing Still

I may still feel like I’m treading water in the rapids of AI. But I’ve realized something crucial:

It’s better to be in the water, soaking wet and learning, than to stand dry on the sidelines, laughing at those who are trying.

Sooner or later, the waters will rise. Will you be prepared to tread water, or will you be swept away? It's time to move from simply dipping our toes in to wading out deeper—because that's where real growth, skill, and impact truly happen.

References

[1] Hu, J. (2023). ChatGPT becomes fastest-growing app in history. Reuters. [suspicious link removed]

[2] Stanford University. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2024. Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI). https://aiindex.stanford.edu

[3] Hug, T. (2007). Microlearning: Emerging Concepts, Practices and Technologies after e-Learning. Innsbruck University Press.

[4] Thomas, J. W. (2000). A Review of Research on Project-Based Learning. Autodesk Foundation