AI training glossary
128 terms explained in plain English.
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- Cohort-based courseA course in which a group starts and finishes together on a fixed schedule, with live sessions, shared deadlines and peer discussion.Training formats
- Community of practiceA group of people who share a work area and meet regularly to exchange methods, problems and examples.Training formats
- Corporate trainingTraining an organization arranges for its own staff, paid for by the employer and usually tied to business goals.Training formats
- Custom trainingTraining designed for one organization, using its own tools, documents and tasks rather than generic examples.Training formats
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- Live online training(Virtual instructor-led training (VILT))Training delivered in real time over video, with a trainer leading and participants able to ask questions and do exercises together.Training formats
- Lunch and learnA short, informal session held at lunchtime, where staff learn about a topic while they eat, often led by a colleague.Training formats
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Commonly confused terms
AI literacy is understanding what AI is and what it can and can’t do. AI fluency is the practical ability to work with it well on your own tasks. Literacy comes first; fluency comes from practice.
Upskilling improves how someone does their current job. Reskilling prepares them for a different job.
A workshop is hands-on: participants practice on real tasks. A masterclass is expert-led and deep on one topic, with more demonstration than practice. “Training” is the umbrella term for both.
An assistant responds to each request and waits for the next one. An agent takes a goal, plans the steps and uses tools to carry them out with less direction.
An outcome states what the learner can do afterward. An objective states what the trainer aims to achieve. Many organizations use the two interchangeably.
A certificate of completion shows someone finished a course. A certification shows they passed an assessment against a standard. Accreditation is when an external body approves the course or provider itself.
E-learning is delivered entirely through digital platforms. Blended learning combines online study with in-person sessions. Live online training is real-time and trainer-led over video.
A self-paced course runs on each learner’s schedule. A cohort-based course moves a group through together on fixed dates, with live sessions and peer discussion.