AI for Export

Please note that this training is offered in English only. However, as this is a project between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments, this webpage and application are also available in French. For the French version, please follow this link.

Export growth can be complex and time-consuming, especially when teams are juggling market research, buyer discovery, outreach, and localization with limited capacity. The AI for Export Bootcamp is a six-week microcredential program designed to help Atlantic Canadian SMEs apply practical AI tools to real export work.

Participants will learn how to use AI to move faster in international markets through workflows like market intelligence, lead generation, localization, and business development, with hands-on training, guided implementation, and access to subsidized tools to help turn learning into action.

Participating companies that successfully complete the bootcamp are eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,500 to cover up to six months of subscription costs for approved AI tools used during the program. This subsidy is intended to reduce financial barriers and support long-term adoption of AI in export workflows.

Deadline Extended! | Applications close April 20, 2026 at 11:59am AST

Course length	Date	Format	Price
6 weeks \| 8 to 10 hours per week	April 27 – June 12, 2026	Virtual, online course with mandatory live sessions	$89 + HST

*Full price for this course is $1,599 +HST, but with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, residents of Atlantic Canada are eligible for this discounted price.

About this course

Course overview

By the end of the 6-week bootcamp, participants will:

Understand how AI can support real export workflows such as market research, lead discovery, outreach, and sales enablement
Build confidence using practical AI tools for international business tasks
Reduce time spent on manual export activities like research, prospecting, and content creation
Develop and test 1–2 AI-supported export workflows relevant to their business
Leave with a practical AI Export Enablement Roadmap and next steps for implementation

Success in this program does not mean mastering AI. Instead, the goal is to help participants:

Feel confident continuing to experiment with AI tools
Understand what tools exist and where AI fits within export operations
Achieve small but meaningful efficiency wins in their export workflow
Clearly explain how AI supports export growth while maintaining human oversight

Modules

Week 1: AI Foundations for Export SMEs
Participants are introduced to core AI concepts and how they apply to exporting and international business operations. Topics include:

Key AI concepts and terminology for non-technical professionals
Prompting techniques and validating AI-generated outputs
Responsible AI practices including privacy, intellectual property, and human oversight
Hands-on exercises using AI tools for export-related tasks

Week 2: Market Discovery and Competitive Intelligence
Participants learn how AI can dramatically accelerate the early stages of export planning. Topics include:

Using AI for international market research and opportunity screening
Identifying buyer types, purchase channels, and market demand
Competitive landscape analysis and pricing insight
Verifying AI-generated research using trusted sources

Week 3: Lead Prospecting and Qualification at Scale
Participants learn how AI can streamline buyer discovery and qualification in international markets. Topics include:

Identifying potential buyers using LinkedIn and AI-assisted research
Developing buyer personas and lead qualification criteria
Ranking and prioritizing leads using AI tools
Integrating leads into spreadsheets or CRM systems

Week 4: Global Outreach, Localization and Cultural Adaptation
Participants learn how to communicate effectively with international buyers while maintaining human-centred messaging. Topics include:

Localizing outreach beyond translation
Adapting messaging to tone, etiquette, and cultural expectations
Creating personalized outreach that avoids generic AI output
Building repeatable outreach workflows

Week 5: Sales and Marketing Content for Export Growth
Participants use AI tools to accelerate the creation of export-ready marketing and sales materials. Topics include:

Creating export sales sheets and pitch decks
Developing localized marketing content
Building reusable prompts and templates
Designing email outreach and nurture campaigns

Week 6: AI Integration Roadmap and Capstone
In the final week, participants move from experimentation to structured adoption. Topics include:

Turning AI experiments into repeatable workflows
Evaluating AI tools and building a practical adoption plan
Developing internal policies and standard operating procedures
Measuring export outcomes and ROI

Capstone Project

Participants will complete an AI Export Enablement capstone project, which includes:

Documented export workflow showing where AI tools are used
A target market snapshot and validation checklist
A qualified buyer pipeline
A complete outreach sequence
Export sales assets such as a sell sheet and pitch deck
Responsible AI guidelines for their organization
A 30-day export action plan with measurable outcomes

Course schedule

Live sessions are mandatory; however, if you require an exception, please speak with the facilitator.

Week 1 (St. FX Intro):

Start Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST

Week 2

Start Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST
Workshop: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM AST

Week 3

Start Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST
Workshop: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM AST

Week 4

Start Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST
Workshop: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM AST

Week 5

Start Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST
Workshop: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM AST

Week 6

Start Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 9:00AM - 11:00AM AST
Workshop: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM AST

Course requirements

This program utilizes a combination of AI tools and practical workflow exercises. Some tools may require short-term trials, free accounts, or instructor-managed demo environments. Participants are responsible for covering any subscription or usage costs associated with these tools during the program. However, eligible participants who successfully complete the program may access up to $2,500 in reimbursement funding to support the adoption of AI tools that strengthen their export operations after graduation.

Participants should have access to the following hardware and basic software:

Google account (for Google Docs, Sheets, and other collaborative tools)
Reliable Internet access
Laptop or desktop device (macOS or Windows)

Recommended tools and platforms:

Perplexity AI (Pro access recommended)
ChatGPT
Google Gemini
Microsoft Copilot
LinkedIn Search (free account required)
LinkedIn Sales Navigator (optional but recommended)
Apollo.io (optional lead discovery tool)
DeepL
Grammarly
Smartcat AI
Canva
Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint
Klaviyo or similar email marketing platform (optional)
Zapier (for automation exercises)
AskReg AI (regulatory and compliance lookup examples)
Blue J AI (demonstration of specialized regulatory analysis tools)

Your Instructors

Emily Baillie
Owner, Compass Content Marketing | Professor, McMaster University

Anthony Wingham
Export Advisor, Export Navigator | Co-founder, Nuez Acres

Fred Allen, MEd
Professional Studies Manager, StFX

Program FAQ

[ click on a question to view the answer ]

What is the AI for Export Bootcamp?

The AI for Export Bootcamp is a six-week microcredential program for Atlantic Canadian SMEs designed to help businesses use AI tools to accelerate export-related activities such as market research, lead generation, localization, and business development.

Who should apply?

This program is for Atlantic Canadian SMEs that are export-ready or actively pursuing international markets, led by a decision-maker who struggles with manual export workflows and wants practical AI implementation (not experimentation).

What is the eligibility to participate in the AI for Export Bootcamp?

To be eligible, businesses must be:

Registered and operating in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, or Prince Edward Island.
Have a minimum of five (5) employees
Have been in active operation for at least two (2) years
Able to nominate executive-level participants to complete the training
Currently exporting or launching within 12 months

Can my business apply with only one participant?

Yes. Organizations may apply with one participant, or nominate up to two participants, depending on their internal capacity and interest.

What will participants learn?

Participants will gain practical skills in applying AI to key export activities, including market discovery, lead qualification, localization, sales content creation, and developing repeatable AI-enabled workflows. They will also build confidence using AI tools responsibly.

Is there a cost to participate?

Yes, there is a discounted program fee of $89 + HST for residents of Atlantic Canada made possible through support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Do participants receive a credential?

Yes. Participants who complete the bootcamp requirements will receive a Microcredential issued by St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) under the Nova Scotia Microcredential Framework.

Do I need prior experience with AI?

Basic awareness or light experimentation with AI is helpful. This program is designed for businesses that have explored AI tools but have not yet fully integrated AI into their export workflows.

Why is responsible AI included?

Responsible AI practices, including data privacy, ethical considerations, and human oversight, are embedded in the curriculum to ensure participants use AI in ways that are appropriate, ethical, and aligned with business and legal requirements.

How are participating organizations selected?

Applications are scored by a strict rubric that include eligibility and program objectives, such as leadership participation, readiness to apply training outcomes, alignment with program goals, and the organization’s ability to support implementation.

Are you replacing jobs with AI?

No. The bootcamp is about helping SMEs use AI as a productivity and export-enablement tool. It supports staff in doing higher-value work faster, such as market screening, content localization, and lead enrichment, rather than eliminating roles. The focus is responsible adoption that strengthens competitiveness and growth.

How does the tool subsidy work?

Graduating organizations may access the reimbursement fund for up to six months following program completion by submitting eligible AI tool subscription invoices directly to Digital Nova Scotia. Invoices will be reviewed for eligibility and alignment with tools used during the program. Approved expenses will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $2,500 per participating company.