Explorer → Pioneer · Two-Level Credential Pathway  ·  Levels 1 + 2 · 24 September–18 November 2026
Self-paced learning (Explorer Level 1) opens 24 September
Live sessions start 14 October

The AI Coaching Experience Designer – Pioneer Bundle is the Level 1 + 2 pathway for coaches, HR and L&D professionals who want to understand responsible AI coaching and build their first focused AI coaching experience – whether an assistant, companion or role-play.

The journey takes you from shared language, technology and professional foundations through to strategy, design, building and testing. By the end, you will have created a working AI coaching companion aligned with your vision, methodology and intended use case.

The course is led by Rebecca Rutschmann, who has been designing and building AI coaching companions since 2018.

This is not a standalone workshop you attend and forget. Across Levels 1 and 2, you will move from foundational literacy to a live-built AI coaching companion. After completing Pioneer, you can choose to upgrade to Level 3 – Architect.

The Two Levels

LEVEL 1 · UNDERSTAND

Explorer

Understand what a great AI coaching experience really is – the frameworks, standards, ethics and evidence behind it and the criteria essential to choose the right platforms and tools.

Format: Fully self-paced · access opens 24 September 2026

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours incl. self-learning

For: Anyone seeking the conceptual foundations to evaluate AI coaching responsibly, whether you need to select an appropriate solution for yourself or your organisation, or want to progress towards building your own.

You will: Learn the frameworks, professional standards and ethical foundations of AI coaching; understand how AI assistants, agents, companions and coaches differ; and explore what current research tells us about their use.

Credential: Explorer badge (Foundations)

LEVEL 2 · BUILD

Pioneer

Build your first real AI companion – for your scenario and grounded in your methodology, compliant, and safety-tested.

Format: Hybrid · four small-group live sessions + office hours · begins 14 October 2026

Time commitment: Four two-hour live sessions, all recorded, plus approximately 6–8 hours of self-paced learning and building

For: Coaches and HR or L&D professionals who are ready to build their first AI coaching experience

You will: Complete your AI Coaching Strategy Canvas, apply the IMPACTS prompt framework, and build and test a functioning custom GPT or equivalent single-prompt AI coaching companion.

Credential: Pioneer badge (Practitioner)

What’s included in the Pioneer Bundle

• Level 1 — Explorer: Self-paced course access, pre-course materials and the AI in Coaching Glossary, available from 24 September 2026
• Level 2 — Pioneer: Four weekly live build sessions, one accountability session and office hours, running from 14 October to 11 November 2026
• Recordings of all Level 2 live sessions
• Peer-group support for project work between sessions
• Final submission and assessment review
• Explorer Badge followed by Pioneer Badge
• LinkedIn-compatible digital badges issued through Virtualbadge.io
• Viva la Coaching quality badge for AI coaching companions that meet the required assessment standards

What you have to submit for Level 2

PIONEER (Level 2) Certification is awarded at the end of Level 2 on the basis of:

• A fully functioning first AI coaching companion (single prompt) built on your methodology on a platform of your choice

Trainer

Rebecca Rutschmann — Co-Founder, Speaker, AI Coaching Pioneer, Consultant & Trainer, PCC/SP. Building AI coaching companions since 2018.

Prerequisites

• Relevant experience in coaching, mentoring, supervision, people development, HR or L&D
• No prior AI experience needed — Level 1 (Explorer) meets you at your starting point
• Successful completion of Explorer and Pioneer provides the readiness pathway into Level 3 — Architect. Participants already admitted to the Full Journey do not need to submit a second application before progressing to Level 3.

Ready to include Level 3?
Explore the Full Journey including Level 3 here

Pricing

Early-bird rate: €1,490 excl. VAT – available until 24 September 2026
Regular rate from 25 September 2026: €1,990 excl. VAT

For questions before completing payment: academy@vivalacoaching.com