The Strategic PA AI Masterclass Series 2026

Learn. Apply. Lead.

 

Practical AI. Real use cases. Immediate impact.

 

Artificial intelligence is changing the Executive Assistant and Personal Assistant professions, but many assistants still feel unsure about where to begin, which tools matter or how to apply AI safely in their day-to-day work.

 

That is exactly why we have designed this programme differently.

 

Created by Strategic PA Network, shaped by the feedback of our community and informed by the real challenges Executive Assistants are facing today, this exclusive three-part masterclass series has been developed with our finger firmly on the pulse of the profession.

 

You do not need to be technical, understand coding or already be confident with AI. If you can use Google, you can join us.

 

The programme is led by Lara Smith, Founder of The Modern VA and The Modern Ops. With a background spanning executive support, virtual assistance and operations, Lara understands the assistant role from the inside. She now works with founders, Executive Assistants and leadership teams to identify operational inefficiencies and introduce AI in practical, responsible and genuinely useful ways.

 

Lara’s approach is firmly people-first. Her training is not about turning assistants into technical specialists. It is about helping you use the skills you already have curiosity, judgement, discretion, problem-solving and a deep understanding of how work gets done to:

 

• Spot inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Understand what AI can and cannot do.
• Identify where AI could save time, reduce friction or improve outcomes.
• Match the right solution to the right business challenge.
• Introduce and champion AI with confidence and sound judgement.

 

Rather than focusing only on individual tools or clever prompts, Lara helps assistants develop the strategic thinking and practical confidence needed to improve workflows and influence how AI is adopted within their organisations.

 

This is not about endless theory or trying to keep up with every new AI tool. It is about learning how to think differently, ask better questions and apply AI to real EA and PA responsibilities in ways that make an immediate difference.

 

 

Who is this AI Masterclass series for?

This series is designed for Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants at every stage of their AI journey, including:

 

• Complete beginners who want a clear and supportive introduction to AI.
• Assistants who have experimented with tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot but want to use them more effectively.
• Experienced AI users who want to move beyond individual prompts and improve complete workflows.
• Strategic EAs and PAs who want to help their executives, teams and organisations adopt AI responsibly.

 

No coding, automation or technical background is required. Whatever your current level of confidence, you will be supported to build from where you are.

 

 

What will you gain from the series?

Designed as a progressive learning journey, each session builds on the knowledge, confidence and skills developed in the previous one. Across the three masterclasses, you will move from understanding the foundations of AI, to improving workflows, to using AI as a strategic partner and becoming a credible AI champion within your organisation.

 

By the end of the series, you will have:

 

• A clear understanding of the AI concepts that matter in an EA or PA role.
• Practical skills you can apply immediately.
• Proven prompts and reusable workflows.
• A framework for spotting valuable AI opportunities.
• Greater confidence using AI responsibly and strategically.
• A 90-day action plan for continuing your AI journey.
• A supportive network of assistants learning alongside you.

 

 

What makes this AI training for EAs and PAs different?

• Designed specifically for Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants following specialised focus groups.
• Suitable for complete beginners as well as more confident AI users.
• Focused on strategic thinking and opportunity spotting, not technical expertise.
• Practical, hands-on learning rather than theory alone.
• Led by Lara Smith, an experienced executive support and operations professional.
• Built around real EA and PA use cases, challenges and workflows.
• Interactive panel discussions with experienced, AI-enabled Executive Assistants.
• Dedicated AI Success Circles during every session.
• Practical tools, prompts and frameworks you can use immediately.
• A progressive journey that builds confidence and capability with every session.

 

 

How does each AI Masterclass work?

Every masterclass runs from 3.00pm to 6.00pm and follows the same interactive format.

 

Expert Masterclass

An interactive training session delivered by Lara Smith, focused on practical techniques, real-world applications and learning you can put into practice immediately.

 

Executive Assistant panel discussion

Hear from experienced Executive Assistants who are already embedding AI into their roles and organisations. Discover how they got started, the opportunities they have identified, the lessons they have learned, and the difference AI is making to their work. You will also have the opportunity to ask your own questions.

 

AI Success Circles

Bring your laptop and turn learning into action. Working in small groups, you will test prompts, explore real workplace challenges, share ideas and receive live support as you build your confidence.

 

Snacks and refreshments are included throughout each afternoon.

 

Your AI Learning Journey

 

Session 1 | AI Foundations: Getting Started with Confidence

 

Wednesday 30^th September 2026 | 3.00pm – 6.00pm, with Networking reception after | The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS

 

Session overview

Build a practical understanding of AI and learn how to use it confidently in your role as an EA or PA.

 

This session cuts through the terminology and hype to explain what AI can actually do, where its limitations lie and how to get significantly better results from the tools available to you. You will learn how to make AI work around your role, your executive and the way you already work without needing to become technical.

 

You’ll learn:

• The essential AI terminology and concepts you genuinely need to understand.
• How large language models work and why this matters when using them.
• The strengths of leading AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity and NotebookLM.
• How to communicate effectively with AI using context, clear instructions and defined outcomes rather than relying on generic prompt libraries.
• How to personalise AI around your role, working style and executive.
• How to use instructions, workspaces, tone guides and relevant context to improve the quality of AI outputs.
• Where AI performs brilliantly and where human judgement remains essential.
• The foundations of using AI responsibly with company, executive and confidential information.
• How to begin incorporating AI into your everyday work without becoming overwhelmed.

 

You will also hear from experienced Executive Assistants who will share how they introduced AI into their roles, their favourite use cases, the biggest time-saving opportunities they have discovered and the lessons they have learned along the way.

 

 

Session 2 | Workflows & Productivity: From Ideas to Implementation

 

Wednesday 21^st October 2026 | 3.00pm – 6.00pm, with Networking reception after | The Montague on the Gardens, 15 Montague Street, London, WC1B 5BJ

 

Session overview

Move beyond using AI for isolated tasks and start using it to improve the way work gets done.

Building on Session 1, this masterclass develops the operational mindset needed to identify inefficiencies, redesign workflows and recognise where AI, automation or agents could create genuine value. You will learn how to look beyond the task in front of you and spot opportunities to save time, reduce friction and improve how you support your executive and wider organisation.

 

You will not be expected to build complex technology. The focus is on understanding the possibilities, identifying the right opportunities and learning how to make informed recommendations.

 

You’ll learn:

• How to shift from completing tasks more efficiently to improving the systems behind them.
• How to identify operational friction, bottlenecks and repetitive work.
• A simple framework for analysing and improving an existing workflow.
• How to distinguish between people, process and technology problems.
• When to improve a process, use AI, introduce automation or consider an AI agent.
• The difference between AI skills, automations and agents, with practical EA and PA use cases for each.
• How to redesign common executive support workflows involving meetings, inboxes, research, briefing packs and follow-up.
• Where human judgement, relationships and accountability should remain.
• How to make better use of your organisation’s existing technology rather than continually adding new tools.
• How to build a credible business case by considering financial, operational and human impact.

 

The session concludes with another Executive Assistant panel discussion and practical AI Success Circles, giving you the opportunity to apply what you have learned to real workplace challenges.

 

 

Session 3 | AI as Your Strategic Partner: Driving Influence, Innovation & Long-Term Impact

Wednesday 9^th December 2026 |3.00pm – 6.00pm | London, venue TBC

 

Session overview

Move from being an effective AI user to becoming someone who can positively influence how AI is adopted across your executive team and organisation.

 

EAs and PAs sit at the intersection of leadership, information, people and operations. This gives assistants a unique view of how work gets done, where friction exists and where AI could create meaningful value.

 

The goal is not to become the organisation’s technical AI expert. It is to develop the judgement, confidence and strategic thinking required to recognise opportunities, influence change and become a trusted AI-enabled partner.

 

You’ll learn:

• Why EAs and PAs are uniquely positioned to influence AI adoption within organisations.
• How to move from AI user to AI champion without becoming a technical specialist.
• How to identify and communicate valuable AI opportunities to executives and leadership teams.
• How to frame recommendations around business problems, impact, opportunity, risk and next steps rather than leading with technology.
• How to build a credible business case using financial, operational and human impact.
• How to use AI as a strategic thinking partner to challenge assumptions, analyse priorities, identify risks and improve decision-making.
• How to support colleagues with different levels of AI confidence and encourage responsible experimentation.
• How to build sustainable AI adoption through shared use cases, learning, governance and feedback.
• How to recognise when specialist technical, legal, security or governance expertise is required.
• How the EA and PA role can evolve from information and task management towards greater operational influence, judgement and strategic partnership.
• How to measure time saved and demonstrate wider business impact.
• How to create your own 90-day AI Champion Action Plan and identify where you can make the greatest difference.

 

The programme concludes with a final Executive Assistant panel discussion, AI Success Circles and personal action planning, ensuring you leave with a clear roadmap for continuing your AI journey.

 

Booking Options

 

Session 1 only | AI Foundations: Getting Started with Confidence | £99.00 | Ideal for Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants who want to build a solid understanding of AI and begin using it confidently and responsibly.

 

Click here to purchase your ticket for Masterclass Session 1 only.

 

Complete three-part AI Masterclass Series | £249.00 | The best-value option, giving you access to all three masterclasses and the complete learning journey. Because each session builds on the previous one, attending the full series provides a structured pathway from AI foundations and practical implementation to becoming a confident strategic AI partner within your organisation.

 

Click here to purchase your ticket for all 3 Masterclasses.

 

When you book the complete series, you will also receive one month’s complimentary access to Lara’s AI training academy. This includes fortnightly, expert-led training sessions designed to help you continue developing your AI, technology and operational skills beyond the masterclasses.

 

Lead Trainer

Lara Smith | Founder, The Modern VA and The Modern Ops

 

Lara Smith helps Executive Assistants, founders and growing businesses work smarter through practical, people-first AI and operational improvement.

 

Over the past year, she has trained hundreds of assistants to use AI confidently, responsibly and strategically in their roles.

 

With hands-on experience across executive support, virtual assistance and operations, Lara understands both the demands placed on modern assistants and the trust, judgement and discretion their roles require.

 

Her work goes beyond teaching professionals how to use individual AI tools. She helps them develop the mindset and strategic awareness to recognise inefficient ways of working, understand what AI makes possible and identify where it could create genuine value.

Lara believes assistants do not need to become technical specialists to thrive in an AI-enabled workplace. Instead, they need curiosity, sound judgement and the ability to spot opportunities, ask the right questions and connect business challenges with the right solutions. Her training builds those capabilities alongside practical, responsible AI skills.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Do I need to be technical to attend? | No. You do not need coding, automation or technical experience. If you can use Google, you can take part. The training is designed to help you use the skills you already have as an assistant to recognise opportunities and apply AI with confidence.

Is this AI training suitable for beginners? | Yes. Session 1 begins with the foundations and explains the concepts that matter in clear, accessible language. Each subsequent session builds progressively on that knowledge. More experienced AI users will also gain practical frameworks for workflows, strategic thinking and organisational adoption.

Is the series designed specifically for EAs and PAs? | Yes. The content, examples, panel discussions and practical activities are all built around the real responsibilities and challenges of Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants.

Will I learn about practical AI tools? | Yes. You will explore leading AI platforms and practical use cases, prompts and workflows. However, the series goes beyond tool demonstrations. You will learn how to assess a challenge, spot the right opportunity and decide when AI or another solution is genuinely useful.

Will the training cover responsible and secure AI use? | Yes. Human judgement, confidentiality, responsible use, risk and the limits of AI are integrated throughout the programme. You will also learn when specialist legal, security, technical or governance guidance is needed.

Do I need to attend all three sessions? | You can book Session 1 individually. For the full learning journey, we recommend the complete series because each Masterclass builds on the skills and confidence developed in the previous session.

What should I bring? | Please bring a laptop so you can take part in the practical AI Success Circles. Further joining information will be shared before each session.

 

 

Join Us

Whether you are taking your first steps with AI or want to develop your existing knowledge, this series will give you the confidence, practical skills and strategic mindset to thrive as an assistant in an AI-enabled workplace.

 

You do not need to become more technical to become more valuable. You need to understand the possibilities, recognise the opportunities and know how to apply your existing strengths in a new context.

 

If you are ready to learn, apply and lead, we would love to welcome you to the Strategic PA Network AI Masterclass Series 2026.