Empowering Creativity with AI
NIDA and Air (ai-ready) Consulting’s Collaborative Journey
Empowering Creativity with AI: NIDA and Air (ai-ready) Consulting’s Collaborative Journey
At a Glance
NIDA engaged AIR Consulting to deliver a tailored, eight-week AI education program designed to uplift skills, reduce fear, and embed ethical AI practices across its marketing and corporate training teams. The result was a major shift in AI confidence and understanding, empowering NIDA’s people to embrace AI as a tool for enhancing creativity rather than replacing it.
Purpose
This case study is designed for marketing and thought leadership purposes, demonstrating how air consulting helped NIDA begin its AI journey in a way that empowered both creativity and collaboration.
Background
NIDA is Australia’s leading dramatic arts education institution. In addition to its renowned artistic training, NIDA is expanding into the corporate training space, supporting professionals in storytelling, communication, and leadership. In early 2025, NIDA’s corporate training and marketing teams engaged air consulting to explore how artificial intelligence could enhance their work, reduce fear, and build foundational AI understanding.air consulting pitched and delivered an eight-week modular AI learning journey tailored specifically to NIDA’s needs. The initiative was grounded in best practice, ethical use, and the creative potential of AI.
The Challenge
Despite growing interest in AI, NIDA’s teams had limited baseline knowledge of generative AI and how it could apply to their roles. There was concern about AI's impact on creativity and job security—especially in a highly artistic and human-centric organisation.
NIDA sought a trusted partner that could:
• Educate both the marketing and corporate training teams on AI basics
• Tailor the experience to their unique creative context
• Reduce fear and encourage ethical, confident experimentation
The Solution
AIR Consulting designed a bespoke eight-week training experience, including:
• Weekly 1-hour modular sessions (with applied exercises)
• Homework and real-world case studies
• Tools support and prompt coaching
• Final face-to-face workshop day to consolidate learning and plan next steps
• Surveys and feedback loops before, during, and after the program
Modules covered:
• Generative AI basics and prompt strategy
• AI in marketing and corporate training
• Ethical and governance frameworks
• Change management and mindset shifts
• Cross-industry inspiration and creative use cases
Delivered by founders Louise Cummins and Jodie Sangster, the program fused deep experience in AI strategy, marketing, governance, and the not-for-profit and education sectors.
How We Delivered
• Pre-Program: Leadership alignment session, needs analysis, and team survey
• Delivery: Weekly learning, weekly check-ins, and homework-based reinforcement
• Post-Program: Final in-person session, post-survey, and strategic review
Results & Impact
Quantitative Outcomes
Participant Learning Goals Achieved:
• AI prompt mastery
• Efficiency and performance improvements
• Use of AI in marketing, reporting, and training
• Understanding AI risks and environmental impacts
Client Feedback
"AIR Consulting has launched AIR Lab modular training with our team, already deepening our AI understanding and excitement for the journey ahead. Their tailored approach makes us feel heard and supported—we can’t wait to see what’s next!"
Terri Martin, Head of Corporate Training, NIDA
"AIR Consulting took us on the journey we needed to go and now my team are using AI in a way that suits our organisation."
Amy Goodhew-Banks, Head of Marketing and Communications, NIDA
“Certainly helped address fear and clarified security risks around using free AI platforms. Very helpful.”
“Definitely helped people get ‘onboard’ with AI.”
Intangible Wins:
• Stronger collaboration across departments
• Positive culture shift toward curiosity and experimentation
• Creative professionals learning how AI can enhance—not replace—creativity
• Ethical guardrails integrated into team discussions
Key Learnings:
• Starting with the team’s current knowledge level is essential
• Hands-on practice builds confidence faster than theory alone
• Corporate frameworks need to support experimentation from day one
• A shared journey reduces fear and silos
What’s Next
Following this successful foundation, NIDA is continuing its AI journey further embed ethical AI into both marketing and training services. The collaborative, respectful, and tailored approach from air consulting has paved the way for a future where AI and creativity thrive together.
About AIR Consulting
air consulting helps organisations build ethical, human-led, and commercially valuable AI capability. We specialise in change management, marketing innovation, and tailored upskilling for professionals ready to lead in the age of AI.
