Introduction
My name is Jonathan Schultz, and I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from South Dakota State University. I have around 14 years of experience in the insurance industry, including the past three to four years in project management. I currently work at Allstate, where I have developed an interest in artificial intelligence and its growing role in transforming business operations. Alongside my professional responsibilities, I have also taken on the role of an AI subject matter expert within my team, regularly delivering presentations on AI-related topics.
Reason to Upskill
With AI evolving rapidly, from large language models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to AI agents and Agentic AI, I recognized the importance of continuously expanding my knowledge. I wanted to stay current with these developments, strengthen my technical understanding, and explore how AI could be used as an effective thought partner in my day-to-day work. Although I was already involved in AI-related initiatives and presentations within my team, I wanted to build a deeper technical foundation that would enable me to contribute more meaningfully to my organization and support its evolving business needs.
Choosing Simplilearn
I discovered Simplilearn through Allstate’s Guild course catalog, which provides employees with access to various professional development opportunities. While exploring some of the best AI-focused programs, I came across Simplilearn’s Microsoft Agentic AI course. Although the program was positioned as an introductory course, I found it sufficiently challenging to expand my understanding of the subject. Its structured approach and focus on building knowledge progressively made it a suitable starting point for my next phase of AI learning.