Meet Pedro Cerdeira, our Expert in AI Competency

In this interview, we are pleased to introduce Pedro Cerdeira, expert in AI and who has contributed with his knowledge and professional experience to the AI at Work video collection. 

AI is no longer the future, it is the present... it is now! As AI continues to transform today's business landscape, it has become an essential skill for professionals at every level. Pedro shares practical insights, real-world experiences, and perspectives on developing the skills and mindset needed to succeed in the future of work.

Could you tell us how you became an Artificial Intelligence specialist?

“I’m originally from Portugal. I have built an international career as an engineer, working with multinational companies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. I really like entrepreneurship ecosystems. I’m always very interested in what is going to happen tomorrow. Technology and the impact of innovation led me to transition into business consultancy, where I help organizations navigate technology transformation and innovation.

The first time I’ve touched AI apart from reading it in a science-fiction book dates back more than 30 years. During my third year of university, I worked on a group project focusing on fingerprint recognition using neural networks. At the time, computing power was very modest compared to what we have today, making the project a significant challenge.

AI has come far, from early research experiments to becoming a practical technology that is transforming industries and the way we work today.”

Alongside his consulting work, Pedro has also contributed to AI learning initiatives at Cegos, supporting internal AI training programs for employees and leaders. His passion for understanding what the future holds allows him to continuously explore new technology and the mechanisms behind it.

Why is AI becoming an essential skill for everyone at work, not just specialists?

“AI is a “horizontal enabler” in technology. It is embedded in almost every aspect of our lives today. It’s like the internet, people started using it and continue to rely on it. It allows you to do efficient work in a more sophisticated way. AI is following the similar path, if you’re aware of it, you’ll be able to create new opportunities in more advanced ways.”

Why are critical thinking and “soft skills” so important when using AI in a human-first workplace?

“As AI becomes more integrated into our work, we need to strengthen the human skills that allow us to incorporate with it effectively. Arthur C. Clarke's famous quote saying that any sufficiently advanced technology can be confused as magic reflects why many people still don't exactly understand what AI is. It’s the way many people experience AI today. The results can appear impressive like magic, but it is important to remember that LLM is a sophisticated engine that predicts responses based on patterns and statistics rather than true understanding.

That is why you need critical thinking combined with human judgment and intuition. You need to examine AI-generated outputs, question whether they make sense, how to cross check it, and apply a defensive approach in learning from it. Otherwise, AI can cause hallucinations, convincing you to make poor decisions which could be dangerous.”

What makes AI at Work videos different from other e-learning courses?

“AI at Work is sliced into small pieces. It has a video of around 10 minutes, which provides the essential context and foundations. It is then unfolded through short micro-videos of around 5 minutes, each focused on a specific concept, decision or workplace application. This type of learning goes in hand with the modern attention span in learning. Nowadays, many learners focus more on quick learning that allows them to absorb information and practice at the same time. Storytelling alone is not enough to create meaningful outcomes. So, I'd say the main reasons are the format, the logical structure, and the practical examples.

The AI at Work collection will help balance your understanding of AI and learn from examples through the right sequences. The true value is not just in the learning process itself, but in how learners can apply what they have learned.”

Are the modules designed for a global or European audience?

“The original request was not to design the content 100% for a European audience, but to make it as global as possible, while keeping an accent on the EU.

Because the EU AI Act is based primarily on where an AI system is used or placed on the EU market, its impact can extend to companies worldwide, not just those based in Europe. Therefore, the content reflects that several regulations are in place (or being developed) in different jurisdictions, but the examples we give are grounded in the EU AI Act, making it valuable and useful to any audience. “

How should organizations view the EU AI Act beyond compliance?

“There is also a dimension of "good citizenship" that companies always want to preserve. The EU AI Act is more than a set of prohibitions, it is also a regulation providing the foundations and guidelines for the Responsible use of AI, which is always an underlying objective for any good actor.”

What does successful, compliant AI adoption look like in practice?

“A successful AI adaption is when it is transparent to all other parties and things go as planned, resulting in no surprises. This means that you can see that AI is in play, the process was well thought out, there are checkpoints along the way where the human in the loop can take control and the outcome matches expectations.

In order to succeed, companies need to have a clear vision, enable/train the people, encourage experimentation, and welcome any mistake as a learning opportunity. Additionally, the strategy should come from the top (leaders) and it should reflect the vision.”

Thank you, Pedro, for being part of this important step in developing practical AI learning. Your insights will help not only those who are already exploring AI in their daily work, but also those who are building their understanding and looking to strengthen their business skills for the future.

The AI at Work videos are designed to help learners develop practical AI skills and apply AI responsibly and ethically in their everyday activities as professionals, leaders, managers or decision-makers. While AI can enhance the way we work, human judgment and creativity remain at the heart of the process. By building confidence and understanding, you will be able to prepare for today’s business transformation and create meaningful value with AI. Explore more of our modules:

GVID095 : AI at Work: From the Hype to the Impact

MVID040 : AI at Work: Handling Most Common AI Limitations

MVID041 : AI at Work: Protecting Sensitive Data

MVID042 : AI at Work: Understanding the EU AI Act

MVID043 : AI at Work: AccountabilityWhenUsing AI

MVID044 : AI at Work: Improvingyour Prompts

MVID045 : AI at Work: Leading AI Transformation