NORCAT
AI 101: Mastering the New Intelligence
Empowering SMEs through practical AI implementation — a 90-minute journey from foundations to agentic workflows
June 4, 2026 · NORCAT Sudbury + virtual
Codalio Workshops & Training
The role of the software engineer is changing.
We train people for what comes next.
AI has already absorbed the junior coding work, and almost everyone will be building with it soon. Codalio's workshops and training program help students, career changers, and engineers gain the experience to direct AI — so they can stay employable and build the careers of the future.
Why the engineer's role is changing
This isn't a distant forecast. It's already happening in the way software gets built today — and it changes what a career in engineering looks like.
AI already does the junior work
Seniors set the plan, the architecture, and the tasks — and AI now writes the atomic pieces of code that junior engineers used to. The entry-level rung many careers started on is disappearing.
Output is climbing ~10x
We're seeing AI produce roughly 10x what a single engineer could write by hand. When coding speed is commoditized, judgment — knowing what to build and how to direct it — becomes the scarce, valuable skill.
The new entry level is a director mindset
The hard question for new engineers isn't "can you code?" It's "can you think like a senior and direct AI?" The experience gap between graduating and being trusted to lead AI is the gap this program is built to close.
“Ehsan described the evolution from vibe coding to agentic engineering, and why focusing just on generating code is no longer sufficient.”
The new entry level is a director mindset
For years, engineers earned their judgment by starting on small, defined tasks and working up. AI now does those tasks. So the bar for a new engineer has jumped: you have to arrive able to think like a senior — to specify, direct, review, and decide. That's a real gap between school and the job, and closing it is the entire point of our training.
What the Codalio Workshop & Training Program covers
Every session is redesigned for its audience, but the throughline is the same: understand the shift, then get hands-on directing AI to build something real.
Map the AI coding landscape
The full spectrum of what is happening in AI and software — the tools, the benefits, the real differences — cutting through the noise so participants can equip themselves for continuous learning.
Think spec-first, like a senior
How to turn intent into a clear specification and plan — the "what" and "why" before the "how" — the skill that separates directing AI from prompting it and hoping.
Direct and supervise AI
Hands-on practice orchestrating agentic flows, reviewing and approving output, and holding the quality bar — the review-and-decide work that survives when typing is automated.
Ship something real
Take an idea from a spec to a working, deployed app participants own — a portfolio piece for job applications, or the seed of a venture of their own.
“Ehsan led participants through the realities of building software products with AI, covering everything from product requirement documents and validation strategies to hands-on comparisons of tools like Cursor, Replit, and Codalio's own platform.”
Formats that fit your community
Tell us what you want, and we craft something that suits your audience — from a one-hour intro to a full program.
Workshops & programs
One-hour intros for large audiences, half-day and full-day workshops, and multi-session programs — each redesigned around your community and goals.
Virtual, hybrid, or in-person
Delivered whichever way fits your community — remote for reach, in-person for depth, or a hybrid of both.
Free accounts & credits
When the host wants participants to build, we provide free Codalio accounts and credits so people can experiment and ship during the session.
“The workshop generated significant interest from a diverse audience, and was delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate both local and remote participants.”
Who it's for
We run this for local communities and education partners where we can genuinely add value — universities, colleges, incubators, and career centers among them.
Students & youth
High-school and university students who will do some coding no matter their field — and want to understand the AI shift early.
Engineers & career changers
People between jobs or transitioning careers who need to gain the experience to direct AI and stay employable.
Universities & colleges
Programs that want to bridge the gap between what the classroom teaches and how software is really built now.
Career centers & communities
Employment services, incubators, and youth organizations preparing people for the jobs — and self-employment — of the future.
“His ability to connect with both technical and non-technical participants made the session valuable across the board.”
What participants walk away with
The goal isn't awareness for its own sake. It's the experience and the proof that help people get hired — or start something of their own.
- Gain real, demonstrable experience directing AI to build software.
- Leave with a working, deployed app you own — a portfolio piece, not a screenshot.
- Understand where you fit in the AI-era software landscape and how to keep learning.
- Position yourself for the roles employers actually need — or to launch your own venture.
“Attendees valued the hands-on approach to using AI to move from idea to prototype.”
Where we've delivered
Trusted by innovation partners across Ontario
Workshops and sessions with incubators, accelerators, universities, and regional innovation hubs — from Northern Ontario to Toronto Tech Week.
What partners say
“Codalio was selected as part of a competitive process to participate in the inaugural cohort of the TELUS Sovereign AI Accelerator delivered by L-SPARK. To leverage his expertise during the program, we invited Ehsan Mirdamadi, Codalio Co-founder and CEO, to provide a workshop about the next phase of AI-assisted software development for other cohort companies and invitees from the L-SPARK network. The workshop, entitled From Vibe Coding to Agentic Engineering: Why AI-Generated Product Specs Matter, generated significant interest from a diverse audience, and was delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate both local and remote participants. Ehsan's presentation described the evolution from vibe coding to agentic engineering, and why focusing just on generating code is no longer sufficient. He emphasized the importance of generating and validating the product specs behind new applications — an all-too-often overlooked critical phase. This is a very timely topic. Although the time available was limited, Ehsan shared a lot of valuable information in a clear way. The workshop prompted great questions from both experienced developers as well as newcomers, and Ehsan was very generous in sharing his expertise. Given the broad applicability of the Codalio toolset and Ehsan's personal experience as both hands-on developer as well as business leader, his sessions would be beneficial to a broad audience.”
“In June 2026, IION invited Ehsan Mirdamadi of Codalio to deliver a half-day workshop for founders and business leaders in our region as part of our Ignite AI program. Ehsan led participants through the realities of building software products with AI, covering everything from product requirement documents and validation strategies to hands-on comparisons of tools like Cursor, Replit, and Codalio's own platform. The session struck a strong balance between conceptual depth and practical application, with Ehsan drawing on 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and four successful exits to ground the discussion in real-world tradeoffs. What stood out was Ehsan's ability to make technical concepts accessible to non-technical founders while still offering value to more experienced builders in the room. The interactive format kept engagement high throughout, and attendees left with a clearer understanding of how to approach AI-assisted development without falling into common “vibe coding” traps. We appreciated Ehsan's flexibility in tailoring the content to our audience and his genuine interest in helping regional entrepreneurs succeed. IION would welcome the opportunity to partner with Codalio again.”
“Codalio delivered an engaging and highly practical workshop that generated exceptional interest from our community. The event was oversubscribed, with ~60 participants attending, and engagement remained strong throughout the session. Attendees valued the hands-on approach to using AI to move from idea to prototype. Ehsan and his team were excellent partners, and their contribution was an important part of the success of Toronto Tech Week at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.”
Past sessions
Recent decks from workshops we've run. Request access below — links are emailed to you after you share contact details and how you plan to use the material.
Communitech
Idea to Impact: Leveraging AI for Rapid Startup Development
A founder's workshop on AI-powered coding, prototyping, and MVP development
2025 · Waterloo Region
Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus · University of Toronto
Idea to Impact: From English to Working Prototype in 90 Minutes
Toronto Tech Week 2026 build workshop — walk out with a working prototype
May 28, 2026 · Toronto Tech Week
L-SPARK
From Vibe Coding to Agentic Engineering
Why AI-generated product specs matter
June 23, 2026 · Wesley Clover International · Kanata
Frequently asked questions
The questions education and career partners ask about the future of engineering work — and how our training prepares people for it.
Bring the training to your community
Tell us your audience and your goals. We'll design a workshop or program that prepares your people for the careers of the future — and gives them something real to show for it.