Building what’s possible: inside our AI agent training with ModelMind
Earlier this month, six of our team members spent three full days immersed in AI Agent training with ModelMind at our Minneapolis headquarters.
This wasn’t a surface-level introduction to AI. It was hands-on, strategic, and intentionally designed to move from curiosity to capability.
As a staffing and solutions organization, we are constantly asking:
- How do we work smarter?
- How do we elevate the human experience?
- How do we build systems that scale with growth?
This training helped us begin answering those questions in a deeper way.
Inside the training
Our three-day onsite training with ModelMind moved intentionally from fundamentals to execution. We began with AI 101, grounding ourselves in core concepts and prompt refinement, then advanced into building custom GPTs and Copilots tailored to real business needs. By the final sessions, we were mapping workflows and designing practical AI agents aligned to revenue growth, predictive analytics, and smarter decision-making.
The structure made one thing clear: this wasn’t about theory. It was about understanding what’s possible and gaining the confidence to start building.
Team takeaways
AI is the most inclusive tool I’ve ever used. You don’t have to be highly technical to build a powerful GPT or agent. In fact, the real magic happens when business and technology collaborate.– Shannon Drost, VP, Technology Solutions
You don’t need to be technical to work effectively with AI. Clarity, curiosity, and iteration matter more than expertise. The fastest way to get value from AI is to start small, test openly, and improve as you go. Progress beats perfection.– Rachel Enstrom, Sr Director, Global Marketing, Product & Tech
The use cases for AI are endless… and can be SO powerful.– Nikki Fulp, Director of Digital Strategy & Web Experience
Collaboration when creating workflows or CustomGPTs/Agents is so powerful. Don’t build in a silo. Share ideas, collaborate and feed off each other. You need different minded people to see the solution in its entirety.– Kim Ullstrup, Product Operations Manager
Building efficiencies in AI requires you to think differently and creatively to solve everyday problems. Using AI as a thought partner at every step of the way can help expand your perspective and navigate through the unknown.– Anna Gerold, Sr. Manager, Change Enablement & Learning
This week stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m proud of how much I figured out.– Jessika Pennebaker, Consultant Experience & Systems Associate Manager
A note from our trainer
Spending three days with Horizontal was energizing in the best way. As a staffing organization, Horizontal consistently asked the right question: how does this elevate the human experience? Every AI capability was viewed through the lens of better talent matching, stronger client partnerships, and empowering their recruiters to focus on what people do best.– Angela Schultz, ModelMind AI
This training marked an important step in how we approach AI at Horizontal. Beyond building technical capability, it reinforced a shared mindset rooted in clarity, curiosity, and collaboration. The experience demonstrated that meaningful AI adoption does not require deep technical expertise. It requires thoughtful application, cross-functional partnership, and a willingness to test, iterate, and improve.
As we move forward, our focus is on translating this momentum into measurable impact: developing practical AI solutions that support revenue growth, enhance predictive insights, and elevate the experience of our clients, consultants, and internal teams. We see AI not as a standalone initiative, but as an integrated capability that strengthens how we think, lead, and deliver value.
Our teams partner with organizations to design, govern, and scale AI solutions that are secure, responsible, and built for long-term value. Let’s talk about what intentional AI looks like for your organization.