On August 1, 2025, RocketEdge launched “Think Smart, Prompt Smarter: Exclusive AI Masterclass for Modern Executives” with a vibrant two-hour theoretical session in Singapore. This preview session – held at Bugis Junction Towers – gathered forward-thinking executives eager to harness AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Led by RocketEdge’s CEO Jiri Pik, the workshop combined interactive lectures, lively Q&A, and real-world examples to make abstract AI concepts immediately relevant. Below, we highlight key moments and insights from this dynamic session, which set the stage for the hands-on follow-up later this month.
The Slides
20250726-Think-Smart-Prompt-SmarterJiri Pik’s Dynamic Teaching Approach
RocketEdge CEO Jiri Pik kicks off the masterclass with an overview of course objectives, encouraging an interactive learning environment.
Jiri Pik (CEO & Chief AI Strategist at RocketEdge.com) brought a wealth of experience and energy to the room. With over two decades in finance and technology bridging AI-driven solutions and cloud computing, Jiri has a unique knack for making complex tech accessible. His teaching style is highly interactive – he noted that “the value of the course is the ability to ask questions and have them answered.” From the start, he invited participants to raise real-world challenges and curiosities about AI. This open dialogue kept executives engaged, turning the session into a two-way conversation rather than a one-sided lecture. Jiri’s enthusiasm was palpable as he moved around the room with a microphone, fielding questions and sharing anecdotes from his career as an AI architect and author. The result was a dynamic masterclass where everyone felt involved in the learning process.
AI Mindset and Mental Models
Jiri Pik challenges the audience with a thought-provoking question, setting the stage for discussions on AI’s role in modern work.
One of the first topics was cultivating an AI-first mindset. Jiri challenged the room with big-picture questions – “If AI is truly good, why are we still working instead of relaxing on beaches?” – to spark discussion on what AI can (and can’t) do today. This led to defining the mindset modern executives need in an AI-driven world. Participants explored key traits of an “AI-ready” leader, such as a Growth Mindset and Curiosity, where one constantly asks “why?” or “what if?” to dig deeper. Equally important was Critical Judgment – the ability to evaluate AI outputs and context – paired with a bias for Lean experimentation, i.e. build → measure → learn in quick cycles. Jiri emphasized Continuous Learning as a trait, urging leaders to keep up with the fast-moving AI landscape and to remain adaptable in the face of new tools and challenges.
A highlight here was the use of mental models as a bridge between human strategic thinking and AI assistance. Mental models are essentially frameworks for understanding and solving problems – used by top performers in every field. Jiri demonstrated how invoking these models in prompts can supercharge decision-making. For example, an executive might prompt ChatGPT to apply the “First Principles” model or a SWOT analysis to a business problem. By naming the model in the prompt, you give ChatGPT a structured lens to reason through. This approach helps cut through complexity and reduce bias, yielding clearer, more strategic answers from the AI. As Jiri put it, “The right mental model, used with the right AI, makes you an unstoppable force in business and beyond.” It was a powerful takeaway: combine timeless mental frameworks with advanced AI, and you dramatically amplify your insight and effectiveness.
Prompt Engineering Techniques and AI Tools
Participants dive into prompt-crafting exercises, learning how to communicate with AI tools more effectively.
Armed with an AI-savvy mindset, the class moved on to prompt engineering — the art of asking questions and giving instructions that yield high-quality responses from AI. Jiri shared practical frameworks to structure prompts for optimal results. One recommended approach is to include key elements like Role, Context, Examples, Style, and Format when writing a prompt. For instance, instead of a vague request, a participant might ask: “You are a financial advisor. Given the data below, summarize the key investment trends in a brief report format.” By clearly defining the AI’s role (“financial advisor”) and the expected output style (“brief report”), the executives saw how the AI’s answers became more accurate and on-point.
Another technique was the use of iterative prompting. Jiri emphasized that getting the most out of AI is an ongoing dialogue, not a one-shot deal. He showed how asking thoughtful follow-up questions or refining your prompt can clarify ambiguities and guide the AI toward more useful answers. This iterative approach — treating ChatGPT like a junior colleague whom you can coach with additional direction — really resonated with participants. Many realized they had been stopping at the first answer, rather than digging deeper. The takeaway: don’t be afraid to ask again if the first output isn’t perfect. The AI often has more to give if you steer it!
The session also introduced the idea of “verb power” in prompts. Using strong, action-oriented verbs can precisely instruct the AI on what operation to perform. For example, verbs like analyze, brainstorm, critique, draft, or simplify can elicit very different styles of responses. Jiri provided curated lists of such verbs grouped by intent — some to help the AI “create or expand” content (e.g. adapt, amplify, elaborate) and others to “analyze or transform” content (e.g. structure, automate, clarify). It was eye-opening to see how a single word tweak can shift ChatGPT’s output from a broad essay to a focused step-by-step plan. By the end of this segment, participants had a toolkit of prompt patterns and phrasing tips to get exactly what they need from GenAI systems.
In addition to general techniques, Jiri showcased a range of AI tools and assistants that can augment an executive’s workflow. The masterclass demonstrated how to leverage Perplexity AI for research – getting AI-powered search results with proper citations – and how Microsoft 365 Copilot can streamline work in familiar apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Seeing a live demo of Copilot drafting emails and analyzing spreadsheet data was a crowd-pleaser. Attendees also learned about implementing responsible AI governance in their organizations. Jiri stressed best practices to protect data privacy and company reputation when deploying AI, underlining that “just because you can automate something with AI, doesn’t always mean you should without proper checks.” By covering both cutting-edge tools and governance, the session equipped participants not only to work smarter with AI, but to do so safely and ethically.
Guest Insights: Singapore’s AI Ecosystem
Dr. Lawrence Wee (IMDA) shares an update on Singapore’s thriving AI ecosystem and national initiatives.
To enrich the discussion, the session featured a guest presentation by Dr. Lawrence Wee, Director of Business and Ecosystems (BizTech Group) at IMDA Singapore. Dr. Wee delivered an insightful overview of Singapore’s evolving AI landscape, offering a macro perspective to complement the masterclass’s hands-on focus. He highlighted how Singapore is fostering a vibrant AI ecosystem through government initiatives, industry partnerships, and innovation hubs. For example, IMDA’s programs are driving strategic collaborations between tech firms and enterprises to accelerate AI adoption. Dr. Wee’s talk gave a tour of the local AI scene – from support for AI startups and research (including a national supercomputing infrastructure) to efforts in talent development and crafting forward-looking regulations.
The executives in attendance appreciated this bird’s-eye view of where Singapore stands in the global AI race. It was encouraging to hear that businesses in Singapore enjoy strong institutional support on their AI journey, whether through grants, sandbox environments for experimentation, or frameworks for responsible AI. Dr. Wee’s perspective grounded the masterclass lessons in a real-world context: participants could see how the skills they were developing fit into the broader strategy of a nation aiming to be a leader in AI. His presence also underscored the collaborative spirit – with IMDA as a supporting partner for the event – showing that public and private sectors are working hand-in-hand to prepare Singapore’s workforce for an AI-driven future.
Event Photos
Next Up: Full-Day Hands-On Session on Aug 29
As a follow-up to this theory-packed preview, Part Two of the masterclass is coming at the end of the month. On August 29, 2025, RocketEdge will host a full-day practical workshop where participants roll up their sleeves and put the concepts into action. This upcoming session is all about hands-on projects – expect interactive labs, group problem-solving, and the chance to build AI-driven solutions from scratch. Attendees will apply the mental models, prompt engineering techniques, and AI tools from Session 1 to real-world scenarios, solidifying their new skills through practice. It’s the perfect way to activate the knowledge gained in the theoretical class and see tangible results. We’re excited to witness how executives who embraced the “Think Smart, Prompt Smarter” mindset will innovate when given live challenges to solve on the spot!
And if you missed the August 1 session (or want to share this learning with your wider team), good news: RocketEdge.com offers updated, on-demand versions of this course. Our on-demand modules capture the latest insights and demos, allowing professionals to learn at their own pace and stay up-to-date with AI best practices. Whether you join us in-person or online, RocketEdge is committed to empowering modern executives and corporate teams with the knowledge, mindset, and tools to thrive in the age of AI. We look forward to seeing participants again on Aug 29 for the grand finale of this masterclass – and welcoming new learners through our on-demand platform. The journey to think smarter and prompt smarter has only just begun!
