Former journalist and director of Microsoft Content Safety, Shaun Davies launched an AI training company to help Australian workplaces bridge the gap “between AI's intentions and implementation.”
Shaun Davies, a former senior journalist and Microsoft Content Safety Director, today announced the launch of an AI training company dedicated to filling the gap between AI intentions and execution in Australia's workplaces.
The company is tackling the challenge of launching and implementing AI, particularly in the media and marketing sectors. Hype and ambitions are high, but the lack of practical skills and clear governance is hampering progress. Executives may be keen on the transformational outlook for AI, but many employees use little tool. Openai Chief Sam Altman recently confirmed that only 1% of users who tried advanced inference models before the launch of the GPT-5.
Davies said: “I've been working with AI for many years and I've noticed a huge gap between what companies want to achieve with AI and the reality of employees. Writing a policy and purchasing a license is not enough.
“I've done multiple research and understood how companies feel about AI and listened to three topics over and over: which tools to use, want more training, and the worries and excitement of equal measures.”
“The lack of AI training and clarity creates both sides of problems. On the one hand, there are enthusiastic employees who want to get started, but do that on a personal account, while on the other hand, create a “Shadow AI” problem.
“We have been working on disinformation and content safety, so we are enthusiastic about the harm that AI can cause. Our AI training companies teach responsible use of AI through thoughtful design and rigorous testing. We also support needs assessments, experimental pilot programs, policy development, and more, beyond practical and industry-specific training.”
Davis spent 20 years at the forefront of major technological shifts, beginning with digital journalism in the early 2000s. At Microsoft, he led the safety and quality of AI in content feeds seen by over a billion people. Recently, he worked with Google and Bastion Digital to train newsrooms in Australia and the Philippines on how to use AI. He is also an independent reviewer of Australia's Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation.
The AI training company offers a comprehensive suite of face-to-face training and strategic consulting services designed to provide employees with practical skills and a clear framework for AI recruitment to their organization.
The products are as follows:
- Corporate Training Workshop: Practical sessions at all levels, including basic “AI Essentials” briefings, deep dives on specific tools such as Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini, role-specific bootcamps for features including marketing, communication, journalism, financial services, and more.
- Executive and Board Programs: A dedicated stream for leaders featuring competitive landscapes and governance, hands-on labs and shocking strategic briefings on immersive half- or all-day workshops.
- Strategic AI Consulting: For organizations that need bespoke solutions, the company offers consulting services focused on AI strategy and roadmap development, designing and implementing AI pilot programs, and developing practical and responsible AI policies and governance.
“Our goal is to give teams the confidence and ability to use AI effectively,” says Davis. “To ensure that, I work with a hand-picked team of senior consultants, experts in my field, from marketing to AI video. This is to provide clarity, build actionable skills, and create a safe and productive environment for AI innovation to flourish.”
