AI Foundation Training

The AI Foundation Training by Xebia Academy is a one-day, in-person professional training course designed to help individuals and teams integrate Artificial Intelligence into their work in a human-centric, responsible, and effective way. Delivered in English in Hilversum, the Netherlands, the course covers core AI concepts, including machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI , and guides participants through hands-on exercises in designing AI-enhanced workflows. It is taught by experienced trainers Evelien Roos and Sjoerd Nijland and leads to the Xebia Certified AI Foundation Professional certificate upon completion.

Human-centric AI integration means designing and using AI in a way that amplifies human potential rather than replacing or diminishing it. In the Xebia Academy AI Foundation Training, this approach is central to every module: participants learn to keep humans in the loop, foster empathy and trust within teams, and use AI to free up time for high-value, meaningful work. Rather than focusing purely on technical skills, the training emphasizes the ethical, psychological, and collaborative dimensions of working alongside AI in professional environments.

The AI Foundation Training is delivered by Evelien Roos and Sjoerd Nijland, both trainers at Xebia Academy. Evelien Roos is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST), international keynote speaker, and specialist in AI-enhanced Agile methodologies, ranked in the Top 10 Management & Leadership thought leaders in the Netherlands. Sjoerd Nijland is the founder of Serious Scrum and Road to Mastery. They bring a unique blend of practical AI application, organizational change expertise, and facilitation experience to the training.

Yes. The AI Foundation Training at Xebia Academy requires no prior AI knowledge and is explicitly designed for professionals across all roles, not just technical ones. Business leaders, HR professionals, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and consultants are all primary target audiences. The training starts from the fundamentals and uses reflection, dialogue, and hands-on exploration to ensure every participant — regardless of background — can confidently apply what they learn from day one.

After completing the Xebia Academy AI Foundation Training, participants can: use AI deliberately and responsibly in their daily workflows; design AI-augmented collaboration processes that enhance rather than replace human creativity; apply ethical frameworks for AI adoption; and lead human-centered AI culture change within their teams or organizations. Participants also earn the Xebia Certified AI Foundation Professional certificate, which validates their competence in responsible AI integration within a team context.

The AI Foundation Training is a one-day course, running from 09:00 to 17:00 (GMT+2), held in person in Hilversum, the Netherlands. The price is €925 per participant, with lunch and course materials included. Travel and accommodation are not included. Participants are required to bring their own laptop. Upcoming dates include 13 May, 28 September, and 7 December 2026.

The AI Foundation Training covers six structured modules: (1) Introduction and the ABCs of AI, core terminology including machine learning, generative AI, and agentic AI; (2) Rethinking AI’s role in human collaboration; (3) Elevating human connections through AI, including risk mitigation; (4) Practical applications for integrating AI agents into team workflows; (5) Building responsible and empowering AI practices; and (6) AI-boosted human potential and upskilling, moving from passive AI use to active ownership of your AI journey. Each module builds progressively on the last, balancing conceptual understanding with hands-on application.

Unlike generic AI literacy courses that focus primarily on explaining what AI is, the Xebia AI Foundation Training goes further by embedding AI skills within the context of human collaboration, team dynamics, and organizational culture. It combines technical grounding (generative AI, agentic AI, machine learning concepts) with behavioral and ethical dimensions, making it uniquely suited for professionals who want to lead AI adoption, not just understand it. The training is also delivered by practitioners who actively work at the intersection of AI and Agile, providing real-world relevance that theoretical courses often lack.

Running an internal AI workshop requires significant investment in content development, facilitation expertise, and keeping materials current, all of which are already embedded in the Xebia Academy AI Foundation Training. This course offers an externally validated, practitioner-led experience with a structured six-module curriculum, hands-on activities, and a recognized certification (Xebia Certified AI Foundation Professional). For teams new to AI adoption or seeking a shared foundation before rolling out larger AI initiatives, the training provides a faster, higher-quality path to alignment than building in-house from scratch. Xebia Academy also offers in-company delivery for organizations that prefer a customized, team-wide format.

The Xebia Academy AI Foundation Training is a role-agnostic, organization-wide entry point to AI adoption, suitable for any professional regardless of role or technical background. The Professional Scrum Product Owner , AI Essentials (PSPO-AI), also offered by Xebia Academy, is specifically designed for Product Owners and focuses on integrating AI into product discovery, backlog refinement, and delivery within a Scrum context. If you are a Product Owner looking to apply AI to your product work specifically, PSPO-AI is the more targeted choice. If your goal is to build a shared AI foundation across a cross-functional team , including leaders, HR, designers, and coaches, the AI Foundation Training is the right starting point.

Upon completing the Xebia Academy AI Foundation Training, participants receive the Xebia Certified AI Foundation Professional certificate. This certification validates competence in applying AI principles responsibly and effectively in a team context, and demonstrates commitment to advancing trust, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful work in an AI-augmented workplace. It is issued by Xebia Academy and reflects a professional-level understanding of human-centric AI integration, ethical AI adoption, and the practical application of AI tools in organizational settings.

Yes. Xebia Academy offers in-company delivery of the AI Foundation Training, allowing organizations to bring the full program to their own teams in a customized format. This is particularly valuable for companies looking to build a shared AI foundation across departments, from leadership and HR to product and technology teams, before rolling out larger AI transformation initiatives. To explore in-company options, contact Xebia Academy’s Training Advisor Michiel Zeinstra directly via the Xebia Academy website.