Based just outside Boston, Massachusetts, Eric Martin had over 11 years of HR experience and had grown into an HR operations leader. His passion for transformational projects led him to take a leap into consulting. He founded Blue Pinnacle Solutions to focus exclusively on high-impact transformations, helping organizations improve their HR functions and employee experience.
But he quickly realized that his HR expertise alone wasn’t enough. To be seen as a strategic partner, he needed to establish credibility in the area dominating every conversation with business leaders: Artificial Intelligence.
The credibility gap
Eric’s approach to AI had an underlying weakness. Despite completing eCornell’s HR Transformation program, Eric’s approach to AI was tactical and fragmented. He could identify tools to make processes faster and more efficient, but that’s where his thinking stopped.
“I was thinking about AI as something you could just throw on top of a system,” he explains. “Let’s make this one thing easier or faster. I wasn’t thinking holistically.”
For someone trying to advise business leaders on AI strategy, this was a problem. Leaders could tell the difference between tactical suggestions and strategic thinking.
“I worried that people might say I don’t really know what I’m talking about,” he admits. “Or worse. They would already know this stuff.”
Eric needed the strategic mindset and expertise to approach AI as an integrated part of the business.
Choosing the right AI program
Eric spent nearly three months comparing AI programs from universities, professional associations, including SHRM, and certification providers.
What drew him to AIHR’s Artificial Intelligence for HR Certificate Program was the combination of strong reviews from HR practitioners, high-quality content, and the fact that AI was not treated as an isolated topic.
What sealed the decision was AIHR’s Full Academy Access plan and knowing he could work through the AI certification immediately, then access other programs as his needs evolved.
Eric treated learning as a part of his work. He scheduled focused weekly sessions and avoided multitasking, giving the program his full focus. The focus paid off. Within days, Eric began using what he’d learned in client conversations and in his own day-to-day work.
A rapid shift in perspective towards AI
After completing the program, Eric experienced a fundamental shift in how he thinks about and applies AI. He’s now changed his approach from looking at what tool could be added to a process to reframing challenges through key questions: What are the organizational objectives, what use cases matter, what governance is needed, and how do we measure outcomes?
“It taught me to start at the beginning of the organizational needs and then build backwards,” he explains. “Forget the systems we currently have. Start with strategy.”
This mindset shift allowed him to bring a stronger strategic voice into conversations with stakeholders. “Now I can actually guide people when they’re thinking about AI the wrong way,” he shared. “I understand what they’re saying and what they’re missing.”
He has also influenced his own consulting team, reshaping how they think and talk about AI. It helped him strengthen the positioning of his firm, Blue Pinnacle Solutions, through credibility and expertise.
“The shift was clear,” Eric reflects. “Before it was, ‘Maybe you can help.’ Now, after one conversation, leaders are thinking about AI in ways they hadn’t considered. They see me as a strategic partner and recognize the value.”
Instant productivity gains
Alongside strategy, Eric also saw immediate improvements in his daily productivity and technical AI skills. His ability to design high-quality prompts improved dramatically, allowing him to get accurate responses from tools like ChatGPT and Galileo on the first attempt.
This efficiency has allowed him to spend less time searching for answers and more time applying insights and moving forward with decisions.
Staying at the forefront of HR
The AI for HR certificate program was just the beginning. Eric recognized that organizational needs evolve, HR trends shift, and maintaining strategic credibility means staying current.
His decision to invest in the Full Academy Access License proved worthwhile. Over three months, he earned two more certificates in Compensation & Benefits and Organizational Development. Beyond certifications, he’s found the ongoing resources like live events and the resource library essential for maintaining his edge.
Keeping pace with change through live events
He recently attended the 11 HR Trends for 2026 webinar. The webinar provided critical insight into where organizations are focusing, especially around AI.
“I need to know where leaders are focusing their energy,” he explains. “When I’m having conversations with business leaders, I can’t talk about the wrong priorities. I ask: How are you thinking about AI for 2026? How can I support that?”
Quick reference tools in the Resource Library
The resource library became one of Eric’s favorite tools, serving as his consulting toolkit. He relied on the practical frameworks and cheat sheets, especially those breaking down AI in HR, to validate ideas and guide clients with confidence. For him, the cheat sheets are invaluable for helping him apply the right concepts instantly or as conversation starters.
“I can share something with stakeholders and say, ‘Here are some things to consider for your situation.’”
Discovery with the AIHR Copilot
When Eric has a question, his first stop is the AIHR Copilot, an AI-enabled HR assistant trained on AIHR’s library of content. He not only gets answers but suggestions for related resources, helping him discover tools and frameworks he didn’t know existed. For an HR professional juggling multiple priorities, knowing where to find credible answers quickly is crucial.
By leveraging (as he describes it) AIHR’s full HR learning ecosystem, Eric now brings a sharper, more strategic understanding to his work. It has enhanced his credibility, boosted his confidence in consulting with clients, and helped position his firm as a leader in modern HR consulting.
What’s next
Looking back, Eric describes his transformation clearly, “I went into the program thinking of AI as a Post-it note you could stick anywhere to make things faster. I came out realizing it’s a strategic engine that needs to be built from the ground up.”
Eric’s next learning goal is to complete the HR Consulting Certificate Program and enhance his company’s practices.
For HR professionals wondering if the investment is worth it, Eric is clear. “I’ve recommended AIHR multiple times now. When people ask about AI programs, I’ve never said go to SHRM or somewhere else. AIHR is a great organization and the best value for your money, and it has all these other options available beyond just one course.”
He also adds, “You have super smart, well-educated, and experienced experts and learning coaches. HR professionals can learn so much from AIHR in so many different ways, whatever their goals are.”
You can check out the preview lessons of the AI for HR Certificate Program and the AIHR Academy for yourself to see what Eric loves so much about AIHR.
Are you ready to transform your own career? Browse our extensive course catalog and explore the AI for HR Program, the course Eric did, and make your HR skill set future-proof!
Building your peer network? Connect with Eric on LinkedIn.
