Lisa Weinzierl in an Interview about AI Training for Employees

«Just never trust it blindly. I never accept the first result and always takeaniterative approach.» That is Lisa Weinzierl’s advice when it comes to working with AI.

Lisa Weinzierl is an AI strategist and the founder of ctrl-f.tech. She focuses on how companies can not only implement artificial intelligence but also use it effectively. Her focus is on the intersection of technology, business models, and people – and on what it takes to turn an AI vision into successful practice.

Lisa, you are an AI strategist and have been working with data and AI for years. What initially drew you to this topic, and what still fascinates you about it today?
I am fascinated by the potential to disrupt business models. I find it impressive that mathematical models from the 1960s can now actually deliver real value when combined with today’s data.

Let’s be honest: Employees are using AI – with or without permission, with or without training. If you are being honest, how many companies really know what is currently being entered into Copilot, ChatGPT, and similar tools within their organization?
Absolutely. Usage is well-documented by studies and clearly established. But what remains a question mark, or is difficult to measure, is the economic benefit. What are my employees really using the license for? If a PowerPoint presentation is generated and the audience then has it summarized, have we really made progress?

Many companies have invested in AI licenses but hardly at all in training. Why do so many believe that introducing a tool is the same as getting employees up to speed?
This is not a new problem. For decades, companies have been introducing new technologies and underestimating how much adoption, change management, and training are needed to address the human factor. We are simply not built for change.

Will «AI literacy» soon be a basic skill, or are we expecting too much from ordinary employees?
I hope it becomes a basic skill, just like writing emails. I find it fascinating how Singapore even views it as a government responsibility to «step on the gas» in this area.

How much AI training is really needed? Is a two-hour workshop enough, or are we talking about an entirely new form of professional development?
I say we need a completely new approach to professional development. Materials that are «good» today will already be outdated tomorrow. Companies need a rolling system.

AI can sound convincing and still spout complete nonsense. How do employees learn to trust AI without blindly trusting it?
Quick tip: Just never trust it blindly. I never accept the first result and always take an iterative approach.

«Anyone can ask AI a question.» How can you tell if someone really knows how to work with AI?
Yeah, just typing in a question is not magic. But coming up with a new workflow, standardizing prompts, and explaining what an LLM is good at and what it is not, that is the magic.

What situation in your work has surprised or alarmed you because someone blindly trusted AI?
I find it alarming how much pressure is being placed on fundamental topics when it comes to AI. For example, assigning passwords (1234 is just bad), or entering, saving, or granting access to credentials in public tools. There are simply clear basics in software engineering that still apply in the age of AI.

Our webinar «Anyone can ask AI Questions. But not everyone can think.» What else can we expect from you here?
Clear dos and don’ts, a call for common sense, and the question of how we can prepare employees to work with AI. I will also demonstrate how I personally use AI to build my business, and why physical business models could once again become highly profitable as a result.

Anyone can ask AI Questions. But not everyone can think. Who trains the Employees while everyone relies on AI?

Employees use AI. But do they really know what they are doing? Which results can they adopt? Where do they need to remain critical? And who shows them how to use artificial intelligence meaningfully and responsibly, instead of blindly trusting it?

We will be discussing these questions in the fourth webinar of our series «Ready or not. AI is here.» on 29.10.2026, at 11.00 am with AI strategist Lisa Weinzierl. We will be talking about clear guidelines and how companies can equip their employees to work effectively with AI. No blind hype. Just concrete ideas for everyday work.

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