diff --git a/v3-examples/sagemaker_v3_setup.ipynb b/v3-examples/sagemaker_v3_setup.ipynb
index 6e25fb5acb..bcd7f19451 100644
--- a/v3-examples/sagemaker_v3_setup.ipynb
+++ b/v3-examples/sagemaker_v3_setup.ipynb
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 {
  "cells": [
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {},
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "# Intentional CI failure-path test: this cell raises so the notebook fails.\n",
+    "raise RuntimeError('Intentional CI failure-path test - expected to fail')\n"
+   ]
+  },
   {
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
@@ -8,7 +18,7 @@
     "\n",
     "This notebook helps you upgrade to SageMaker Python SDK v3+ and verify the installation.\n",
     "\n",
-    "**⚠️ Important:** After running this notebook, restart your kernel before using SageMaker v3."
+    "**\u26a0\ufe0f Important:** After running this notebook, restart your kernel before using SageMaker v3."
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -92,7 +102,7 @@
    "source": [
     "## Step 3: Restart Kernel\n",
     "\n",
-    "**⚠️ REQUIRED:** Click **Kernel → Restart Kernel** in the menu above, then continue to Step 4."
+    "**\u26a0\ufe0f REQUIRED:** Click **Kernel \u2192 Restart Kernel** in the menu above, then continue to Step 4."
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -129,14 +139,14 @@
     "    from sagemaker.train import ModelTrainer\n",
     "    from sagemaker.serve import ModelBuilder\n",
     "    from sagemaker.mlops.workflow.pipeline import Pipeline\n",
-    "    print(\"✓ Core v3 modules imported successfully\")\n",
+    "    print(\"\u2713 Core v3 modules imported successfully\")\n",
     "    \n",
     "    session = Session()\n",
-    "    print(f\"✓ Session created - Region: {session.boto_region_name}\")\n",
-    "    print(f\"✓ Default bucket: {session.default_bucket()}\")\n",
+    "    print(f\"\u2713 Session created - Region: {session.boto_region_name}\")\n",
+    "    print(f\"\u2713 Default bucket: {session.default_bucket()}\")\n",
     "    \n",
     "except ImportError as e:\n",
-    "    print(f\"✗ Import failed: {e}\")\n",
+    "    print(f\"\u2717 Import failed: {e}\")\n",
     "    print(\"Try Method 3 (Clean Uninstall + Reinstall)\")"
    ]
   },
@@ -147,7 +157,7 @@
     "## Troubleshooting\n",
     "\n",
     "### Version still shows v2.x after upgrade\n",
-    "1. Restart kernel (Kernel → Restart Kernel)\n",
+    "1. Restart kernel (Kernel \u2192 Restart Kernel)\n",
     "2. Use Method 3 (Clean Uninstall + Reinstall)\n",
     "\n",
     "### Import errors after upgrade\n",