Allianz Trade has transformed AI literacy from a technical training exercise into a company-wide cultural movement. Through its GenAI Ready! campaign, more than 6,000 employees have gained the confidence, skills, and governance needed to use AI responsibly, creating a workforce that builds AI solutions rather than adopting them.
As GenAI reshapes the workplace, organisations face the challenge of equipping employees with skills that keep pace. Allianz Trade answered that question with GenAI Ready!, a global programme designed to make AI practical, accessible, and relevant for every employee, regardless of role and technical expertise.
GenAI Ready! was designed to build lasting confidence. Combining executive sponsorship, hands-on learning, clear governance, and opportunities to experiment safely, the programme created an environment where employees could move beyond understanding AI to actively applying it in their daily work.
Building an AI-ready workforce
The programme recognised that lasting AI literacy requires more than classroom learning. It introduced a structured journey that combined leadership engagement, practical experience, and continuous learning.
The campaign began with a global conference featuring senior leaders who outlined Allianz Trade’s AI strategy before introducing practical examples of GenAI in action. Employees progressed through tailored learning paths and regional workshops covering everything from prompt engineering to designing AI agents. The programme culminated in an innovation contest, encouraging employees to develop and share AI solutions that addressed real business challenges.
Throughout the initiative, responsible AI remained central. Clear governance, approved tools, and practical guidance enabled employees to experiment confidently while maintaining security, compliance, and responsible use of AI.
“A highly engaging and well governed programme that brings AI to life for colleagues. It ensures strong foundations are in place, with data and AI alignment clearly strengthening as momentum builds.” – Judges’ comments
Turning learning into action
The programme’s success lay in its ability to convert learning into tangible innovation across the organisation. Key outcomes included:
- More than 6,000 employees supported through the GenAI Ready! campaign.
- 1,400+ employees attended the global AI conference.
- 53 hands-on workshops delivered across nine regions.
- 1,600 workshop participants completing practical AI training.
- Around 50 employee-created AI agents submitted through the innovation contest.
- Dedicated AI learning pathways established to support continuous skills development beyond the programme.
The campaign changed how teams worked together. Collaboration between Data, Human Resources, and Communications ensured technical expertise was translated into accessible learning, while so-called “train-the-trainer” sessions helped data specialists become confident educators for non-technical audiences.
Most importantly, employees shifted from viewing AI as something delivered by specialist teams to identifying opportunities and developing their own solutions. The innovation contest demonstrated this cultural change, giving colleagues across the business the opportunity to design AI agents, share ideas, and vote on the most valuable innovations.
As one trainer reflected: “Participants left with actionable use cases and drafts, while advanced attendees had the chance to publish agents and enter the GenAI Ready contest. Their enthusiasm and commitment were truly inspiring.”
A future with AI expertise
GenAI Ready! has established foundations that extend well beyond a single learning programme. Dedicated learning pathways, a central AI knowledge hub, and a clear route from experimentation to implementation ensure employees can continue developing their skills as AI evolves.
By combining practical education with strong governance and a culture of collaboration, Allianz Trade has shown that AI literacy is not simply about teaching people how to use new tools. It is about giving every employee the confidence to innovate responsibly and contribute to the organisation’s future.
The judges recognised GenAI Ready! because it demonstrates that the most effective AI literacy programmes do more than build skills. They create lasting cultural change, empowering employees to become confident users, informed decision-makers, and active creators of AI-driven solutions.
