In a world where AI can reason and code, your edge is how well you architect and operationalize your expertise.
Most people still "take notes." Power users build intelligent knowledge systems → self-organizing networks that reason, connect patterns, and learn with you.
This cohort will help you to design and build your own. Across tools: Neo4j, Tana, Obsidian, agents & workflows
Why now
Today the capabilities once exclusive to Fortune 500 research teams and elite think-tanks are now yours → instantly, at almost zero cost.
Tools like DeepResearch & Manus give you McKinsey-level custom reports on any subject you want
Agents process & structure tons of data in minutes, extracting signals & mining insights
Cursor & Claude Code eliminate the complexity barrier for power platforms like Neo4j
Those tools and technologies feel like magic! Yet disruptions always bring problems.
Downside
More data ≠ more clarity
Information abundance does not lead to better understanding. Copy-pasting does not create new knowledge. Hundreds of isolated chats don't compound.
Note-taking is irrelevant
In an AI-first world, question design and structure are more valuable than any static highlight you captured last year.
App‑hopping kills context
Jumping between disconnected tools severs mental context with every click. Ideas and insights fall through the cracks.
AI pulls your attention
When LLMs and algorithms make decisions for you, the risk of losing your agency & sense of direction becomes very real.
SOLUTION: INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE
Over four weeks, you'll build a multi-tool knowledge system that transforms how you research, think, and create.
A system that uses AI as a force multiplier for YOUR expertise, not a replacement for it.
@all This cohort gets my full attention: Expect rapid Slack responses, detailed system reviews, and workshops that run until we solve every challenge.
This isn't a passive "watch-and-forget" course. We build your system together, week by week.
You'll have a working AI-powered knowledge system before the cohort ends.
Andrew Altshuler
Information Architect • Course Leader
SYSTEMS BLUEPRINT
Broad-strokes view of the system architecture. Keep in mind that your system will have lots of nuances and customization.
WHAT'S INSIDE
Information Architecture, Domain-Driven Design, DATA <> FRAME model, System Architecture
I'll help you assemble a toolkit that fits your tech proficiency, budget, and workflow. I map options and guide you to the sweet spot
Live sessions where we build each component together → get real-time feedback, ask questions, and leave with a backlog for your system
Drop screenshots, prompts, code snippets, or three-minute voice rants → I'll help you to get unblocked fast, async or live
4 rounds of detailed feedback from me on your actual system → not generic comments, but line-by-line critique that sharpens your implementation
Regular open sessions where we troubleshoot, brainstorm edge cases, and bounce half-baked wild ideas
All lectures, demos, templates, and resources organized in one clean hub → no hunting through email threads or scattered links
Connect course materials directly to your AI agents via Model Context Protocol → query lectures, reference frameworks, and pull examples on-demand
Personalized sessions to tackle your specific challenges and design custom workflows → available in Accelerated and Discovery tracks
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
Cross-Source Q&A System
Automatically ingests reports and articles into vector storage, creating a searchable knowledge base. Combines unstructured & structured data to track domain-specific insights.
Signals and Trends Monitoring
Pattern detection across global economy. Identifies emerging economic signals and market shifts as they develop, performs real-time analysis and forecasting.
VC Intelligence Dashboard
Aggregates data from multiple sources—news, portfolios, social feeds—into a unified intelligence stream. Surfaces emerging investment opportunities before competitors.
90-Day Executive Playbook
Transforms executive onboarding into a dynamic action framework. Industry research + role-specific insights & initiatives. A compass for leaders during their critical first months.
CURRICULUM
4-week sprint to design & build your AI-powered knowledge system.
WEEK 01 → DISCOVERY & REQUIREMENTS
Focus: Clarify goals & use cases. Research existing approaches & frameworks. Audit data sources and tools.
Outcomes: Problem statement, success metrics, stack short-list.
WEEK 02 → CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Focus: Information architecture, domain-driven design, DATA <> FRAME model, schema and ontology.
Outcomes: Custom framework + system blueprint
WEEK 03 → KNOWLEDGE INFRASTRUCTURE
Focus: Source-of-truth: knowledge graph/knowledge base/vector store, schema + ingestion pipelines.
Outcomes: Running knowledge base with initial data & retrieval toolkit.
WEEK 04 → INTELLIGENT WORKFLOWS & AGENTS
Focus: Research agents, workflows for extraction and structuring, summarization, cross-source Q&A AI Assistant.
Outcomes: Automated workflows & orchestrated agent swarms
TOOLKIT
What Students Say
“I want to give the strongest possible endorsement for Andrew's course. The workshop sessions were some of the most fun I've had in years -- not an exaggeration. Andrew has taught me to begin to think in terms of ontologies. This changes the way I consume information.”
“10 out of 10 for Andrew Altshuler and his Tana Advanced Knowledge Management course. Packed with both practical and conceptual information, all of it highly useful and applicable, plus fun hands-on workshops to practice using the tools.”
“I just wanted to take a moment to express how much I've appreciated being a part of this course. Your lectures and course material were designed to be incredibly accessible, even for someone just starting to grasp the basics.”
“Andrew has a knack for bridging the gap between how knowledge is stored in our brains and how to process it with tools, especially using Tana. I am particularly impressed by his curriculum's unique format: a combination of mini-TED-like general lectures on how information and the brain interact.”
“I learned so much and would recommend anyone to join in!”
“The course was really special for me. The learning of first principles gives you a strong foundation on the important concepts and Andrew´s deep knowledge provides a lot of input on different domains related to Tana such as computer science, cognitive science and complexity.”
“That was special. Andrew is so knowledgeable and patient, and his curriculum is full of great content. I learned a lot about PKM systems and knowledge in general. Hands down one of the best course in the PKM space and especially in the TANA sphere.”
“The AKS Course offers more than just learning about Tana. It's about implementing workflows and frameworks that allow you to run any project or research and discover those "aha" moments almost effortlessly. I would give it 6 stars if I could.”
“Being part of this group has been nothing short of transformative. From the very first session, I felt a sense of belonging and support that encouraged me to push my boundaries and explore new ideas.”
“Being one of the nicest person I've ever met, Andrew expands your horizon with the way he present knowledge to you. History, for instance, cannot be any more informative for a nerd note-taker. His broad view nicely converges to a main takeaway which will transform your understanding.”
“It is a great opportunity to integrate diverse methods, conceptos and use cases. Very good materials: videos, articles and references. It consolidated my understanding and cleared the potential in my personal and professional life. Thanks!”
“Andrew's course was a transformative experience in learning to navigate complex information. His innovative approach pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me to break free from the mental constraints I had unknowingly imposed on myself.”
“Knowledge Systems in Tana was a great course, over and beyond what was expected. It is advertised as a four-week course with weekly meetings, but we had 7 sessions in total. Andrew has a brilliant mind and can present examples on the fly.”
Course Team
Andrew Altshuler
Course creator and leader
Information architect. Founder of Collective Lab.
Building agent-first intelligence systems and for researchers, investors, and Fortune 500 teams.
Previously spent 14 years in insights mining and data analysis.
Michael Sklar
Course contributor & Discovery track mentor
Described by David Perell as “the anthropologist of Write of Passage.” Mentored over 350 students through Personal Monopoly sessions and accelerators.
20+ years leading tech startups. Currently teaches startup fundamentals and product management at Rice University.
Francis Miller
Course contributor
Information and learning designer. Originator of the Knowledge Structures concept and the Argument Claim Hexagon framework.
Author of innovative papers and articles on knowledge management, how knowledge is structured and the effective presentation of text.
READY TO BUILD YOUR SYSTEM?
Cohort #14 starts November 11th
Choose your learning path:
4 intensive workshops
Build each system component hands-on
Async expert feedback
Detailed reviews at 4 checkpoints
20+ updated resources
Lectures, demos, and implementation guides
Tool integration templates
Pre-built templates for popular stacks
Private Slack channel
Direct access to me and fellow builders
30-minute 1:1 clarity session
Design your custom architecture
14-day guarantee
Full refund if not satisfied
3 hours 1:1 coaching
Deep dives into your specific challenges
Custom implementation plan
Detailed roadmap for your use case
Priority Slack support
Get unblocked within hours, not days
Post-cohort check-in
30-minute sessions after completion
3 custom Loom videos
personalized demos
4 intensive workshops
Build each system component hands-on
Async expert feedback
Detailed reviews at 4 checkpoints
20+ updated resources
Lectures, demos, and implementation guides
Tool integration templates
Pre-built templates for popular stacks
Private Slack channel
Direct access to me and fellow builders
30-minute 1:1 clarity session
Design your custom architecture
14-day guarantee
Full refund if not satisfied
3 hours 1:1 coaching
Deep dives into your specific challenges
Custom implementation plan
Detailed roadmap for your use case
Priority Slack support
Get unblocked within hours, not days
Post-cohort check-in
30-minute sessions after completion
3 custom Loom videos
personalized demos
For people stuck on the WHY before the HOW.
If you're unclear about your PKM goals or drowning in scattered interests, this fully-curated track helps you find clarity first. Andrew & Michael guide you with frequent check-ins focused on purpose and direction.
Everything in Accelerated track
All features from Accelerated included
Deep-dive with Michael Sklar
Identity & interests mapping session
Weekly personalized sessions & check-ins
Starting WEEK 0
Private channel with Andrew and Michael
Direct access to both instructors
Final synthesis workshop
90-minute session to unify your complete system