Rewrite the Rules of PR. Lead with AI.
Step into the next era of strategic communications with media innovator Peter Bittner, award-winning journalist Pete Paschal, and systems designer Kris Krüg, and enroll in a course that's not just about learning new tools—it’s about mastering a new mindset.
6-Week Certification Course
AI Upgrade for PR & Media Professionals

Instructors: Pete Pachal, Kris Krüg and Peter Bittner
Supercharge Your Strategic Impact—One Week at a Time
In just six weeks, you’ll go from AI-curious to AI-capable—mastering the tools, prompts, and strategies redefining public relations. Each live session blends rapid-fire demos, guided exercises, and real-world case studies pulled from today’s top campaigns. You’ll build smarter and on-brand workflows.
Week 1: Reframing PR in the Age of AI
Week 2: Prompt-Led Content Creation
Week 3: Deep Research & Influencer Strategy with AI
Week 4: Building Your AI Assistant Stack
Week 5: Ethics, Accuracy & Authority in AI Comms
Week 6: Your AI-Enhanced Project Capstone
Start Your Rapid Upgrade Now
Benefits include
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Master the New PR Stack – Get hands-on with the most effective AI tools for communications, from ChatGPT and Perplexity to custom GPTs and campaign automation platforms.
Cut Research & Writing Time in Half – Learn AI-powered workflows for media list building, influencer targeting, thought leadership, and content creation at scale.
Design Your Own AI System – Build a custom assistant, research stack, or writing bot tailored to your brand, team, or clients through a guided capstone project.
Stand Out as a Strategic Leader – Learn how to apply AI in ways that elevate—not replace—your expertise, judgment, and creative direction.
Earn Certification + Portfolio-Ready Project – Leave with a polished, real-world artifact and a credential that signals next-level fluency to employers, clients, or collaborators.
September Cohort
(Starting Sep. 9, 2025)
$1,499
Course Schedule
Session 1: September 9, 2025
Session 2: September 16, 2025
Session 3: September 23, 2025
Session 4: September 30, 2025
Session 5: October 7, 2025
Capstone: October 14, 2025
October Cohort
(Starting Nov. 4, 2025)
$1,499
Course Schedule
 Session 1: November 4, 2025
Session 2: November 11, 2025
Session 3: November 18, 2025
Session 4: November 25, 2025
Session 5:Â December 2, 2025
Capstone: December 9, 2025
Your Instructors
Peter Pachal
Founder | The Media Copilot Technology Journalist & Media Strategist
With over two decades in technology journalism, Pete is known for his insights into AI's impact on media. As former Chief of Staff for Content at CoinDesk and with senior roles at Mashable and NBC Universal, Pete brings deep expertise in the intersection of AI and media. Through The Media Copilot newsletter, podcast, and YouTube channel, he explores the transformative role of AI in modern journalism and PR.


Kris KrĂĽg
Techartist, quasi-sage, cyberpunk anti-hero from the future.
My name is Kris Krug – a boundary-pushing creative explorer, an intuitive tech whisperer, and a tenacious culture hacker. In the fabric of the digital era, where technology often overshadows humanity, I’ve taken it upon myself to chart a different course.
I’m on a relentless mission to humanize technology, to infuse it with empathy, ethics, and emotion. I’m not just tinkering with gadgets and algorithms; I’m reprogramming the very core of our interactions with the digital world to resonate with the heartbeat of human experience.
But that’s only part of my mission. I’m also in the ring, gloves on, ready to battle the creeping villain of apathy that threatens to numb our society. I challenge indifference with passion, confront disconnection with engagement, and replace the passive consumption of media with active creation.
I stand firm in the belief that art shouldn’t be a rarefied luxury, but a common language for all. By democratizing art, I aim to unlock a universal creative potential. Art is a right, not a privilege, and I strive to make it accessible to everyone, everywhere – breaking down the walls that confine creativity to the few.
In parallel, I’m a champion of communities, believing in the colossal power of collective action. Empowering communities is not just about giving a voice to the voiceless; it’s about amplifying that voice until it echoes across the globe. It’s about lighting a fire in every individual to contribute, connect, and collaborate.
Peter Bittner
New Media Journalist, Lecturer at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Peter is the founder and CEO of The MindStudio Academy, dedicated to AI upskilling. For the past 8 years, Peter has been a visiting lecturer of new media at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and an instructor at the Advanced Media Institute, where he has taught emerging media. He was formerly a visiting instructor at CELSA-Paris Sorbonne. Additionally, Peter leads custom media workshops for organizations.
His photography and videography have been published on the front page of The New York Times and in CNN, Bloomberg, NBC, Reuters, Vox, Business Insider, Hearst Digital, Al Jazeera, Popular Mechanics, VICE News, and other major outlets. Peter is a Fulbright Scholar and has covered science, sports, travel, politics, and culture — and has a special knack for projects that get him outdoors and off the grid.

"Being able to use AI tools effectively is inevitably a boon in any profession moving forward. I'm in a career transition period, and having these newly-developed skills broadens the options available to me downstream."
Brittney Smaila, Sessional Lecturer
"Extremely valuable! Peter & Kris gave me customized guidance on building chatbots and streamlining my workflows for organizing my information faster and more efficiently. They’re Pros. They know their stuff and have very clear answers to your questions."
Isaac Sharman, Communications Strategist
"When we first started the course, and I knew we would present project at the end of the 6 weeks, I felt very intimidated. After my first one-on-one session with Peter, and later Kris, I immediately felt at ease. Their direct assistance along the way gave me a lot of confidence. It was extremely helpful to pick their brains and see their different processes in their own personal work."
Denise Wolf, Creative Assistant Director
"I think it was a very thoughtful, well-organized approach to what could have been an overwhelming topic... I made a bot version of myself that I am excited to apply to my work every day!"
Jules Bernstein, Professional storyteller
Why This Course?

Practical Skills, Real Impact
Learn hands-on AI applications tailored to PR and media, ensuring you can implement what you learn immediately.

Learn from Industry Leaders
Led by Pete Pachal, Peter Bittner, and Kris Krug, this course combines decades of expertise in media, AI, and creative strategy.Â

Competitive Edge
This course equips you with the tools, strategies, and insights to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your expertise remains relevant and in-demand as technology continues to evolve.

Your Own Capstone Project
Got an idea? Let’s make it happen! We'll work with you individually to help you choose the most impactful project to work on over the course, and help guide you to the finish line!
Have a question about the course?
Ask our AI Upgrade Assistant and get an exclusive discount!
Like it? We'll teach you how to build one in class!
Who Should Attend?
Public Relations & Media
PR specialists, media strategists, and communication directors looking to integrate AI for efficiency and impact.
Content Creation & Digital Marketing
Content creators, digital marketers, and social media managers seeking to elevate their strategy with AI insights.
Corporate Communications
Executives and managers aiming to automate workflows, optimize media monitoring, and respond to crises effectively.
Freelance & Independent PR Practitioners
Independent professionals interested in enhancing their service offerings through AI.
What Do You Gain?

Hands-On Mastery of AI Tools
Develop proficiency with AI tools such as Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Fireflies AI to enhance PR workflows and improve media monitoring

1-on-1 Guidance from AI experts
Benefit from 1-on-1 coaching sessions to refine your AI skills and apply them directly to your work.

Efficient Workflow Automation
Discover how AI can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives.

A Tribe of Fellow Creatives
Grow with a community of peers exploring the frontier of AI-powered workflows
Upgraded professionals from ...
















Hear from the Instructors: AI's role in PR & Media
Instructors Peter Bittner & Pete Pachal discuss the recent cohort as well as teh state of AI in media & PR...
Start Your Upgrade Now
September Cohort
(Starting Sep. 9, 2025)
$1,499
Course Schedule
Session 1: September 9, 2025
Session 2: September 16, 2025
Session 3: September 23, 2025
Session 4: September 30, 2025
Session 5: October 7, 2025
Capstone: October 14, 2025
October Cohort
(Starting Nov. 4, 2025)
$1,499
Course Schedule
Session 1: November 4, 2025
Session 2: November 11, 2025
Session 3: November 18, 2025
Session 4: November 25, 2025
Session 5:Â December 2, 2025
Capstone: December 9, 2025
Have questions about the course?
Still not sure if it's a good fit for you or your team?
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Schedule a call with one of the instructors to discuss your specific needs and get personalized guidance.