Making AI Practical: An Intro Workshop
- Sam Schriemer
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Earlier this month, I led an introductory PANTA Upskilling AI workshop at The Practice Winnipeg, a Canadian health clinic, to explore how AI could support the team’s everyday work. The session brought together a cross-section of the team including the clinic owner, practitioners, and the operations manager to explore how AI could support their day-to-day work.
Understanding the Basics
We kicked things off with a quick overview of how AI works, covering concepts like machine learning, large language models, and popular tools like ChatGPT. The goal? Make AI feel less abstract and more accessible.
Most people have heard of AI by now, but many haven’t had the opportunity to explore it in a hands-on, practical way. This session was designed to provide that opportunity - a space to ask questions, try out tools, and start building a clear sense of where AI could add value.
Where AI Can Help
We focused on three key areas: quick wins, operational support, and longer-term potential.
For practitioners: we looked at time-saving ways to streamline routine tasks like summarizing session notes without all the manual copy-paste, simplifying technical terms for patient-friendly communication, and speeding up email drafting.
For the operations team: we looked at tools to automate repetitive processes like generating reports, planning and scheduling social media content, and identifying trends in clinic sales to support smarter ordering and inventory decisions.
Everyone walked away with ideas that they could try right away using tools that don’t require coding or technical know-how.
"I felt overwhelmed by AI at first, but the workshop made it clear and directly relevant to our work. I’m excited to integrate these tools into my daily routine." - Samantha Bell, ND
Privacy and Caution
We also talked about the limits. Since tools like ChatGPT aren’t compliant with Canadian federal and provincial health privacy laws (PIPEDA and PHIA or PHIPA, depending on the province), it’s critical not to enter personal health information into them. That doesn’t mean AI has no place in healthcare, it just means we need to use it thoughtfully. We also explored alternative tools like our own PANTA Flows that are designed to meet compliance requirements.
Small Steps Forward
For The Practice, this was a first step toward figuring out how AI fits into their workflows. The real value wasn’t just in the tools, it was in seeing how each team member, from operations to clinical care, could apply AI in different but complementary ways.
At PANTA, we design these sessions to be practical, collaborative, and grounded. It's not about pushing technology, but about helping people explore what’s useful to them and their work, at their own pace.
Reflections That Stood Out
One of the most rewarding parts of the session was seeing how excited and relieved participants felt by the end. Some came in feeling unsure about AI but left with a clearer understanding and confidence to start applying it in their own roles. It was also great to see people from all parts of the clinic regardless of title or background - thinking practically about how AI could support their daily work. The workshop environment felt collaborative, curious, and grounded in real-world needs.
If you're a clinic or small team, workshops like this are often the best place to start.
PANTA Upskilling helps teams build confidence with AI through hands-on workshops and real-world tools. Interested in bringing one to your organization? Reach out to us!
