After being a working DM for about ten years, I enrolled in the class and completed the AI training.
I liked everything about being a DM.
I do not have, nor have ever had, any desire to be an instructor.
My reasoning for going for AI:
- I knew that the instructors on our team preferred having an AI with them on assignments over regular DMs.
- AIs are allowed by standards to help instructors in certain ways that DMs can not.
- In my case, there's no difference in agency dues or pro insurance between an AI and a DM.
- To be totally candid, I was also enthusiastic about "out-ranking" some of my competitively minded DM colleagues. ------ Questionable reasoning I know.
The AI instruction was not what I expected it to be.
I thought there would be more practical training about instruction methods and skills.
Instead, the AI classroom sessions were more focused on how to promote and apply the certification agency's policies, and how to "sell" students on further instruction.
Pretty dull stuff.
The in-water AI training was a little better. We were required to instruct and demonstrate a selection of skills to high standards.
Because skills was a big part of the DM training, this segment was treated as more of a review, rather than additional training.
Nothing new there.
So, I passed the course and gained the AI certification.
When people I don't work with ask me what my certification level is, I say "Divemaster".
It just sounds better.
Do I regret taking the AI certification?
Yes and no.
Introspectively, I just took it for the wrong reasons.
I still don't want to be an instructor, and the AI certification is really meant to be a stepping stone toward that.
But it has given me an edge on getting more working opportunities.
I believe I have been of more use to the instructors I've worked with after the AI certification.
I'm not saying it was a mistake.
It just turned out to be a dead end in my situation.
I hope others will will respond to your question in more positive ways.
Good luck with whatever decision you make.
K