Learning Tech Talks: Recent Episodes
Christopher Lind
Explore the continually evolving landscape of learning technology through unbiased, in-depth conversations with technology providers from around the world. Better understand how to distinguish what's out there, how to differentiate between technologies, and discover how they’ll potentially fit into your learning ecosystems. Learn about the key business problems these technologies can solve and what preparations you'll need to make when considering a successful implementation. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/learningtechtalks/support
Congratulations on making it through another week! What better way to celebrate than a rundown on some of the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. From AI Voice to Humanoid Robots to the Future of Wearables, I've got you covered.
With that, let's get to it.
Advanced Voice Mode - Who needs friends? OpenAI's advanced voice mode is finally here. Now, you can talk to yourself in public and not be considered crazy. In all seriousness, it's a pretty impressive development, but what exactly should you do with the functionality?
Meta Connect 2024 - On the topic of AI Voice, the Zuckster is betting big on it as was clearly demonstrated at the Meta Connect 2024 event. Honestly, their latest AI developments are incredible, which is to be expected. However, would you be surprised to find out the maker of Facebook would create new tech with some serious long-term risks?
Meta Orion - While you might think AR & VR tech went the way a neutron star, you'd be wrong. Meta made the news again this week with a lot of noise about their Orion glasses. Honestly, watching a few videos, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a pair, but don't get your hopes up. They won't be available to the public. However, my predictions on the trajectory of the tech are spot on.
Humanoid Robots - It's been a while since I stirred people's fears of humanoid robots taking over the world, but with all the advancement in 2024, I thought it was time to kick the hornet's nest again. If you thought they'd fallen to the wayside, prepare for a poor night's rest tonight because these things are getting crazy. On the bright side, you'll have a suite of options when deciding which one kicks down your door.
AI Governance Veto - If you were hoping new legislation might slow the freight train of AI development, prepare to have your hopes dashed. California governor Gavin Newson vetoed SB 1047 and its attempts to make our insane superpower safe for humanity. However, with compelling arguments like "that will cost money" and "it will slow down development," can you blame him?
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, Christopher examines the capabilities and implications of OpenAI's advanced voice mode becoming available for pro users, emphasizing its potential applications and possible hazards. He discusses MetaConnect 2024 highlighting Meta's advancements in AI voice technology, particularly its implications for content creation and virtual enhancements. Christopher also addresses the rapid progress of humanoid robots and their emerging roles in sectors like space exploration, healthcare, and home use. The episode ends on the potential societal challenges linked to AI and emerging technologies, including the ethical considerations and the need for balanced regulation, using California's vetoed AI safety bill as a case study.
00:00 - Introduction and Weekly Update Overview
01:22 - Exploring OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode
05:39 - Practical Use Cases for AI Voice
13:26 - MetaConnect 2024 Highlights
24:19 - Introducing Meta Orion
31:19 - Humanoid Robots: The Next Frontier
40:40 - California AI Veto - Regulation and Governance
50:20 - Final Thoughts and Conclusion
ai #metaconnect #aivoice #humanoidrobot #metaverse
It's that time of week for another rundown on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. As a favor, if you find these updates helpful, comment, like, and share it with a friend.
With that, let's get to it.
Copilot Wave 2 - Will Copilot 2.0 be the end of large swaths of professional jobs, as many advertisements subtly imply? I have concerns some leaders will fall for it, but it'd be a big mistake. A deeper reflection on how work is really performed quickly highlights AI's capability to replace human capacity.
LinkedIn AI - I understand social media platforms want to use their users' data to train their AI and ultimately improve their products. And, as a user, I recognize there are tangible benefits that come from engaging in that transaction. What I don't appreciate is that functionality being quietly turned on without a heads up, allowing me to understand the terms and make a conscious decision.
WFH Stereotypes - My post this week may have given you a teaser on my feelings about USA Today's gross misrepresentation of WFH/Hybrid employees by exploiting poorly gathered data from a recent survey. However, I have a lot more to say on the matter, and it's not about piling on the RTO hype but encouraging leaders to focus on performance not activity.
AI Environmental Concerns - How much are we willing to scorch the earth so AI can develop a catchy pirate jingle or draft an email that'd take 30 seconds of your time? At the rate we're going, the Earth might start to resemble our red planet neighbor in the span of our lives. What worse? There are completely reasonable solutions to all the problems if we'd just slow down a little bit.
End of Mortality? - Will AI really be the end of mortality as we know it? An upcoming documentary is shining light on the tragic stories of people who were sold that tale at elaborate prices but ultimately lost more than their savings. What's strange about the whole thing is that the person resurrected with tech never sees any benefit from it. I can't help but ask, who is all this even ending mortality for?
Is social media a force for good or a ticking time bomb? And, given it's not going anywhere, what can we do about it?
This week I'm exploring those questions and more with Matthew Krayton, Founder & Principal at Publitics as we seek to wield the double-edged sword that is social media and explore its profound impact on society.
We'll unpack the evolution of social media from its humble beginnings to the algorithm-driven powerhouse it is today, examining how these platforms have democratized access to information and given a voice to the voiceless. At the same time, we can't ignore how they're creating echo chambers that fuel division and misinformation.
Throughout it all, we don't shy away from the tough questions: How has social media changed our behavior, both online and offline? What are the psychological effects of living in a world where likes and shares can make or break our self-esteem? And perhaps most importantly, how can we navigate this landscape in a way that promotes a healthier, more connected society?
The whole thing is a fascinating look at how the same tools that connect us can also drive us apart. I think you'll find the conversation challenges assumptions and reveals the complex realities of our digital lives. It's my hope this episode will make you rethink your relationship with social media.
So, whether you're a digital native or someone trying to make sense of this ever-changing world, there's something here for everyone.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher engages with Matt Krayton, founder and principal at Publitics, to scrutinize the profound effects of social media on society. We explore its evolution, political impact, and effects on human behavior and mental health. Matt shares his journey from aspiring teacher to digital media expert, offering insights into both the positive and negative ramifications of our connected world. Key themes include the democratization of information, anger-driven content, and strategies for healthier online engagement. The discussion also covers the emotional responses to social media, handling misinformation, crisis management, and the future ramifications of technologies like AI and deepfake.
00:00 - Introduction
09:05 - The Rise of Social Media in Politics
14:31 - The Impact of Social Media Algorithms
22:37 - The Dark Side of Social Media
32:35 - Influencer Culture and Perception vs. Reality
38:02 - The Illusion of Expertise
43:17 - The Trap of Social Media Validation
54:36 - The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
01:00:38 - Navigating the Future of Social Media
01:10:09 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Concerns
SocialMedia #DigitalMedia #AI #MentalHealth #Politics
While last week's update was a slight deviation, this week I'm back to the usual rundown of the latest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience. And, what a rundown it is. With that, let's get to it.OpenAI Strawberry - OpenAI isn't getting into the healthy living space, but they are trying to make their LLMs think more critically. Is it working? You'll have to listen for my honest opinion, but let's just say it's more of something alright.Instagram Teen - While teenagers will always find a way around rules, I commend Meta for taking formal steps to protect youth from the dangers of social media. However, to all the parents out there, I wouldn't advocate you relegate your parenting responsibilities.After Hours WFH Drama - Your daughter makes a cameo on your 8:30 pm video call, and the next thing you know, you've got a meeting with HR. It sounds too crazy to be real, but truth is often stranger than fiction, as a marketing exec discovered.$10M AI Scam - Artificial bands making artificial music for an artificial audience, to the tune of 10M in royalties. It's certainly one way to put your musical talents to work, but it might also land you in prison for the rest of your life, as one North Carolina musician is discovering.$2k Fusion Reactor - Clean energy may be closer than we realize but in a very unexpected way. A college student recently combined his skills with Amazon and Anthropic, building a desktop fusion reactor for under 2k. Might want to put a hold on that spendy solar conversion.Show Notes:In this Weekly Update, Christopher explores the latest in AI advancements with OpenAI's 'Strawberry' model, also known as O1. The discussion dives deep into its capabilities, limitations, and potential impacts on user behavior and misinformation. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on Instagram's new teen settings aimed at creating a safer social media environment for younger users, along with practical advice for parents. Next, he objectively discusses the unexpected predicament a marketing executive found himself in when his daughter briefly cameoed a work meeting. Next, he examines a controversial case of AI-generated music fraud, involving a musician who used AI to create fake bands and fake listeners, leading to significant financial gains and legal consequences. Finally, he spotlights a groundbreaking achievement by a college student who built a working fusion reactor for $2,000 using parts from Amazon, demonstrating the incredible potential and simultaneous risks of AI-driven innovation. Tune in for a riveting discussion on the interplay of technology, ethics, and human experience.00:00 - Introduction01:59 - OpenAI's Project Strawberry: What's New?14:56 - Instagram's New Teen Settings: A Safer Social Media?25:29 - A Marketing Professional's Unexpected Incident35:26 - Musician's AI Scam Exposed43:38 - College Student Builds Fusion Reactor50:04 - Final Thoughts and Future Prospects#ai #cleanenergy #flexibleworking #instagram #socialmedia
Happy Friday everyone! I hope you’ve had a phenomenal week.
So, this Weekly Update is a deviation from my usual format. I’ll be back to usual next week, so if this is your first listen, you’re welcome to check out previous updates to familiarize yourself to the style. However, this week, I felt compelled to respond to a recent episode of Diary of a CEO (DOAC) between host Steven Bartlett and guest Yuval Noah Harari on the state of society and the role AI is playing on it. What I appreciate most about Harari is he’s an historian, not a tech guru, which means his reflections connect the past to the present and the potential future. The conversation is long, heavy, and at times dark, which isn’t for everyone, so I thought I’d to share my thoughts as an alternative. However, you’re welcome to check it out.
As a teaser, I dive into the concept of “alien intelligence” and why we’re dangerously underestimating how different AI is from the way we think and the implications that has. I also break down the societal risks of AI, from its growing influence in decision-making to how it might already be shaping your worldview without you even realizing it. Are we at risk of worshiping at the altar of AI, blindly submitting ourselves to the decisions curated by tech?
I'll also tackle the issue of information overload—how fear, hate, and greed are served up like junk food—and why we need to rethink what we consume, both physically and intellectually. And, with it being an election year I had to address what happens to democracy when we start viewing anyone who thinks differently as an enemy to be destroyed? Harari predicts complete collapse is possible, and I’ll explain why that should matter to you right now.
While the topic is a heavier one, it’s one we all need to have. So, if you care about where AI is taking us and what we can do to ensure we stay human in a world increasingly influenced by machines, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. Listen in, reflect, and let’s stay ten steps ahead together.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, host Christopher diverges from the usual updates as he reacts to a conversation between Stephen Bartlett and historian Yuval Noah Harari on the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast. The episode is breaks down the reactions into three parts, AI and Tech Implications, Societal Implications, and Solutions. Throughout Christopher examines the dangers and misconceptions surrounding AI, societal trust, the impact of junk information, and the current state of global democracy. Emphasizing the necessity of accountability, trusted institutions, and true interpersonal connections, Christopher encourages listeners to reflect deeply on these topics and take meaningful action. The episode concludes with reflections on the potential collapse of democratic systems and a call for unity and cooperation.
00:00 - Introduction & Updates
01:16 - Why A Different Weekly Update
05:46 - Artificial vs. Alien Intelligence
09:05 - AI Decision-Making and Ethical Concerns
25:33 - Societal Impacts of AI
31:15 - The Age of Distrust
34:51 - Finding Ground in Timeless Truths
39:07 - The Fragility of Democracy
44:15 - The Dangers of Changing Rules
50:46 - The Need for Accountability
56:42 - The Importance of Unity and Reflection
59:16 - Conclusion and Call to Action
AI #Democracy #ArtificialIntelligence #DOAC #Leadership
What if we could accurately predict diseases years before symptoms appear without invasive procedures? How would that transform the troubled landscape of modern healthcare?
That's the topic of conversation this week when I chat with Dr. Jonathan Hill, Associate Professor of Cell Biology at BYU and VP of Science and Technology at Wasatch. Together, we're exploring the cutting-edge intersection of AI and DNA sequencing. We unpack AI's hidden potential to decode the complex patterns hidden within our DNA, paving the way for early diagnosis and better treatment options.
In our conversation, Dr. Hill shares how his pivot from traditional medicine led to his current work at the forefront of biological research. You'll learn more about his team's innovative work in DNA methylation and how AI-driven diagnostics could radically change the landscape of modern medicine. In parallel, we talk through some of the challenges of innovation, like the chasm between academic research and practical execution, the importance of change management, and how, despite its tremendous potential, AI isn't for everything.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the future of medicine, you'll walk away from this one both inspired and informed. So, come check out how the secrets encoded in our DNA are being unlocked, one AI-driven discovery at a time.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher talks with Dr. Jonathan Hill, an Associate Professor of Cell Biology at BYU and VP of Science and Tech at Wasatch, to explore the intersection of AI and DNA sequencing. The discussion highlights how AI is being leveraged for early diagnostic techniques, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Dr. Hill also shares insights into the collaborative approaches taken to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application. The conversation tackles the essentials of integrating AI models, ensuring the cleanliness of data, and the future of healthcare diagnostics powered by advanced technology. Don't miss this insightful dialogue that unpacks the challenges and breakthroughs in healthcare innovation.
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Guest Introduction: Dr. Jonathan Hill
06:56 - Challenges in Translating Research to Practice
13:33 - Collaboration and Innovation in DNA Sequencing
26:20 - Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's with DNA Sequencing
32:10 - Innovative Lab Approaches
34:05 - Challenges and Benefits of Healthcare Innovation
40:46 - AI in Diagnostics: Three Levels of Application
51:22 - Simplifying Diagnostic Processes
01:03:44 - The Future of AI in Healthcare
ai #healthcare #diagnostics #artificialintelligence #Alzheimers
If you're stateside, I hope you had a phenomenal Labor Day weekend and enjoyed the abbreviated week. It's been a wild one here on the personal front and the intersection of business, tech, and human experience.
With that, let's get to it.New Beginnings - I've been hinting that I had some personal news coming for the past couple of weeks, and the secret is out. My wife and I recently gave birth to baby #8, and it's been a fantastic new beginning on the heels of the end of my time at ChenMed. Yet, there's been some essential life lessons learned through the experience.Canva Price Gouging? - 400% price hike?!? Say what?! While many are reeling from Canva's recent pricing changes, there's more to it than meets the eye. While I'd have had some spirited conversations about the strategy, it makes sense, given the cost associated with their AI investment. However, was their investment in things any of their customers wanted?AI Active Listening - It's strange when you open your favorite social app, and that thing you were just talking about shows up as a "promoted post," but is it the result of CMG's active listening? I'm not entirely convinced, but I still think there's reason to shine a light on the matter.Gen Z Office Drama - Those darn Gen Zers and all their needs, amirite?! Reading WSJ's article about how much bosses struggle with their Gen Z employees got me visibly upset for many reasons. We're dealing with individuals, not a group of clones. And, from what I can tell, everything they're asking for seems pretty reasonable. But hey, shameless plug for how I can help. Hallucinations Gone Wrong - Imagine you ChatGPT yourself only to get a comprehensive description that's completely false and defamatory. Well, as one German court reporter discovered, it's not a possibility left to our imaginations. The sadder part was the lack of legal recourse to amend the problem.Show Notes:In this Weekly Update, Christopher shares a major personal update of welcoming a new baby while transitioning from his previous job. He discusses the complexities of keeping personal news private and the societal pressures of living up to others' expectations. The episode transitions into significant tech news, including a massive price hike by Canva and the controversial leaked presentation about data harvesting by Cox Media Group. He also addresses misconceptions about Gen Z in the workplace and highlights the importance of individual relationships. Lastly, the he covers the implications of AI errors, using the example of a court reporter wrongly labeled by an AI tool, and emphasizes the need for vigilance in digital footprint management.00:00 - Introduction01:15 - New Beginnings: Welcome Baby 811:53 - Canva's Price Hike: Hidden Costs of AI23:01 - Leaked Presentation: Privacy Concerns with Smart Devices31:40 - Gen Z in the Workforce39:28 - AI Slander: Dangers of AI Misinterpretation45:50 - Final Thoughts and Cautionary Advice#AI #GenZ #Leadership #Parenting #Futureofwork
Happy Friday! We have officially made it to the end of summer 20204. Can you believe it?! While temperatures may be cooling down, tech and workplace changes continue heating up.
So, let's get to it.
Layoff Influencers - I hadn't heard of the term layoff influencer until this past week, and no, it's not people helping influence companies toward layoffs. Read any headlines, and you'll know they don't need help being pushed in that direction. We're talking about the rising trend of people sharing their layoff experience. Is this helpful or harmful? Depends on who you ask.
Private Jet Commute - While there's no shortage of outrage over the new Starbucks CEO and his 1000-mile private jet commute, I can't help but dig beneath the surface concern. Commercial or charter, why are companies still so convinced an executive's physical presence is so necessary? Last I checked, executives don't emit gamma radiation that turns people into superhumans.
Rising AI Concerns - AI is showing up in company annual reports, but not for the right reasons. A recent study showed an almost 500% increase in public mentions by top companies that believe AI is a significant threat. While I'm happy companies are starting to recognize risks, the clear miss is how many still don't understand the benefits. AI isn't the risk; your strategy and execution are!
Procreate Anti-AI - "I {explicative} hate generative AI!!" Those are strong words coming from the CEO of a creative tech company. However, a deeper investigation shows the only generative AI this CEO seems to consistently hate is the kind that does tasks he personally believes people should do. Is this a valid argument against AI or a personal bias gone wild?
Bye, Bye Dev Jobs? - "You've got a max of two years before all your jobs are gone, software developers," according to Amazon CEO. Well, not really. More like, "Developers, your jobs are going to change significantly over the next two years, so you'll need to adapt," according to Head of AWS, a division of Amazon. Funny how headlines tell one story while the details tell another.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, host Christopher Lind provides valuable insights on various topics at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. He begins by teasing upcoming news for next week's episode. The first segment dives into a Bloomberg article discussing the rise of 'layoff influencers' and the changing culture around job loss. Lind shares his personal experiences and reflections, emphasizing the complexities and biases tied to being open about layoffs. The discussion moves to the controversy surrounding the Starbucks CEO's use of a private jet for commuting and the broader implications for leadership and employee relations. Finally, Lind explores the polarizing views on AI's impact on jobs, citing studies and statements from industry leaders. He cautions against extreme positions and encourages balanced, thoughtful approaches to integrating AI in the workplace.
00:00 - Introduction and Weekly Rundown
01:53 - The Rise of Layoff Influencers
16:17 - The Starbucks CEO Controversy
25:20 - AI: A Growing Threat or Opportunity?
30:49 - Procreate CEO is Anti-AI
38:18 - The Future of Developer Jobs
44:55 - Conclusion: Embracing Change and Staying Ahead
AI #TechTrends #FutureofWork #Equity #Layoffs
In a world where technology constantly pushes boundaries, the idea of creating a digital replica of our physical environment might sound like science fiction. However, it’s definitely not.
This week I'm sitting down with Boaz Goldschmidt, VP of Business Development at Treedis, to explore the transformative world of digital twin technology where the analog world is cloned into the digital space.
From its unexpected origins it's coming to market with a surprising number of practical applications. Add to that, it has a lot of disruptive potential for a multitude of industries and Boaz shares how his journey that started with him running a pizza bar led him to a cutting-edge tech company.
We talk through how digital twins are revolutionizing everything from workforce training and operational efficiency to predictive maintenance and connected worker solutions. We highlight the value this technology brings, not just in simplifying complex processes but in creating more efficient, cost-effective, and safer work environments.
So, whether you're a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or someone curious about the future of technology, this episode will provide valuable insights and inspire you to explore the endless possibilities of digital twins.
Show Notes:
In this episode we explore the transformative potential of digital twin technology. Christopher is joined by Boaz Goldschmidt, VP of Business Development at Treedis, to explore how digital twins are revolutionizing industries from real estate to manufacturing. They discuss the basics of digital twin technology, its numerous applications such as training, maintenance, and IoT data visualization, and the immense cost and efficiency benefits it offers. Key takeaways include the versatility of digital twins, from onboarding and training to advanced use cases like predictive maintenance and operational simulation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the future of digital transformation and its practical implementation.
00:00 - Introduction
01:37 - Meet Boaz: From Pizza to Tech
11:07 - Understanding Digital Twin Technology
18:43 - Capturing Digital Twins: The Process
25:35 - Adoption and Use Cases of Digital Twins
33:08 - The Basics of Digital Transformation
36:49 - Training and Onboarding with Digital Twins
46:44 - Connected Workers and Real-Time Support
53:32 - Visualization of Live Data and Predictive Maintenance
56:57 - Planning and Simulation with Digital Twins
01:03:06 - Conclusion and Future Prospects
Happy Friday everyone, and congratulations on making it to the end of another week. While summer has been filled with changes and is almost in the rearview mirror, things aren't slowing down. This week, I've got another rundown of the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience.
With that, let's get to it.
Grok 2 Mayem - Elon's Grok 2 made positive headlines for its latest AI benchmarks and image generation capability, which lasted for about five minutes. Attention was then immediately shifted to how his decisions for limited guardrails in the name of non-censorship was being grossly exploited and misused.
Undressing App Accountability - It's disturbing the growing number of apps that openly brag about their ability to create nude images of anyone you want without their consent. However, the San Fransico district attorney isn't laughing and is about to turn up the heat by bringing a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the companies.
Eric Schmidt's AI Prophecy - Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt knows a thing or two about AI, and even he's acknowledging his need to constantly change his predictions about where things are going. In his latest shift, he's shying away from his former prediction that smaller models are closing the gap between frontier models, but not for the reason you might expect.
Cisco's AI Layoffs - Apparently, 10.3B in profit wasn't enough, leading to their second major round of layoffs in 2024. However, there is one major change, and that's their reasoning. While the first big group was chalked up to vague statements about re-alignment, this round was directly attributed to investment in AI. While there may be some merit to the statements, it seems more like the convenient scapegoat companies are jumping on.
Replacing Teachers with AI - The invasion of AI isn't limited to the corporate world, as a high school in the UK is planning to compensate for its teacher shortage with AI tools. While there's heated debate coming from both sides, I see legitimate ways this can be done. However, my biggest concern is related to the execution.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, Christopher explores five significant developments in AI and technology. The episode starts with a detailed discussion on the release and subsequent controversy surrounding Elon Musk's AI model, Grok 2, and its unrestricted capabilities leading to misuse and chaos. Next, he explores the rise of undressing apps and the legal battle initiated by the San Francisco district attorney against 16 popular applications. The conversation also covers Eric Schmidt's revised predictions on the future of AI, emphasizing the growing divide between frontier models and smaller AI players. He then analyzes Cisco's decision to lay off 5,500 employees to invest more heavily in AI, scrutinizing the broader implications and corporate strategies involved. Lastly, the episode examines the UK high school's use of AI to supplement their teacher shortage, evaluating both the potential benefits and risks. Tune in for a comprehensive look at this week's transformative events in the AI landscape.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Elon Musk's Grok 2 AI Model: A Double-Edged Sword
13:35 The Rise of Undressing Apps and Legal Battles
19:35 Eric Schmidt's Updated AI Predictions
31:35 Cisco's Controversial Layoffs34:26 Challenges of AI Investments
41:35 AI in Education: Clickbait and Reality
50:13 Concluding Thoughts on AI Integration
ai #education #business #layoffs #Grok2
Congratulations on making it through another week, and what a week it has been. While it's been a whirlwind on the personal front, I've still got a rundown for you on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and the human experience.
With that, let's get to it.
Chatbot Dependence - I wonder if we'll soon reach a point where you'll be presented with a warning label whenever you attempt to use AI. Based on OpenAI's safety card, perhaps we should be. One of the latest concerns relates to the risk of emotional dependence with its advanced voice mode. While it may seem out there, user dependence is already rising.
AI Voice Hijack - What would you do if your chatbot suddenly started talking back to you in your voice? A glitch in OpenAI's advanced voice mode is already making this happen for a growing number of users. And, while the conspiracies circulating about how and why are neither accurate nor helpful, the situation is a cause for concern.
AI Bubble Pop - Depending on what news source you read, the AI bubble is either about to completely implode or grow in unprecedented orders of magnitude. Honestly, I predict a mix of both. There are some economic aspects of AI on the verge of collapse. However, I'm confident there's still plenty of untapped growth we'll see before things slow down.
Real-Time Faceswapping - A new risk for deepfakes is on the rise as a popular app allows you to become whoever you want on camera by simply uploading a single picture of that individual. Combine that capability with voice cloning, and why bother with the hassle of AI image and video creation tools for deepfakes? With the click of a button, you just become who you want.
Does AI Learn? A prominent study from the University of Bath concluded AI does not demonstrate any complex reasoning skills or have the ability to learn without the prompting and direction of a human. So much for the robot apocalypse, right? Maybe not. While AI might not independently devise a plan to destroy humanity, there's nothing stopping someone from prompting AI to pull it off.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, Christopher examines the latest advancements in AI voice capabilities, particularly OpenAI's advanced voice mode. He explores the potential risks, including emotional dependence on chatbots and voice hijacking, and discusses the ethical implications and societal consequences. The conversation then shifts to the broader AI landscape, examining claims about the AI bubble and what the future holds for AI innovation. Also of concern is a new app allowing users to become someone else on camera using only a photo of the individual. Finally, a recent study from the University of Bath on AI's independent learning capabilities is also analyzed, highlighting the current limitations and potential risks of AI technology. This comprehensive update aims to keep listeners informed and critical about the rapid developments in AI and their impact on human experience and society.
00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Exploring OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode
03:17 - Risks of Emotional Attachment to AI
13:01 - Voice Hijacking Concerns
21:29 - Debating the AI Bubble
30:12 - AI Faceswapping and Deepfakes
37:20 - AI's Learning Capabilities: A Study Review
48:33 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #deepfake #economics #consciousness #AIvoice
Have you ever wondered how the sense of smell could revolutionize healthcare?
This week, I sit down with Kordel France, a visionary in AI and olfactory science, to explore this fascinating frontier. Imagine diagnosing diseases not by sight or sound but by scent. It's not science fiction—it's happening now.
We explore Kordel’s journey from a tech-savvy farm to the forefront of AI innovation that ultimately led him to discover the remarkable potential of AI to replicate and enhance our sense of smell, enabling breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and even space exploration.
We'll talk through the intricacies of developing sensors capable of detecting scents with extraordinary precision and the profound implications this has for early disease detection through breath analysis—offering a non-invasive, swift, and accurate diagnostic method.
This conversation is more than just an exploration of technology; it's about envisioning a future where AI augments human capabilities in ways we never imagined. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the future, this episode promises to inspire and inform.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher explores the fascinating world of AI and olfactory science with Kordel France. We explore the current state and future possibilities of AI-driven scent detection, from healthcare applications like disease diagnosis through breath analysis to innovative uses in space exploration. Kordel shares his personal journey, the complexities of building hardware-integrated AI systems, and his vision for democratizing olfactory technology through extensive data libraries. This insightful discussion also addresses the evolving roles of humans in the age of AI, providing an optimistic yet realistic view of our technological future.
00:00 - Introduction
01:15 - Meet Cordell France: Journey into AI and Robotics
03:26 - Challenges in Developing AI for Smell
16:06 - Applications of AI in Healthcare
19:06 - The Future of AI and Olfactory Science
30:54 - Challenges in Scent Data Collection
37:03 - The Complexity of AI and Robotics
41:05 - The Role of AI in Future Innovations
53:12 - Exciting Applications and Future Prospects
57:54 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Predictions
AI #OlfactoryScience #HealthcareInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #TechPodcast
Growing up, my biological mom was heavily involved in theater, so the phrase, "The show must go on," was said on many occasions. This week is no exception. Despite the disruption and chaos, one thing that seems to help most is putting one foot in front of the other, with the Weekly Update being one of them.
So, with that, here's some of the latest happenings.
Layoff Experience - Layoffs are tough to talk about. They're even more brutal to experience. This week, I had the opportunity to do more than talk about them after being informed my position will be eliminated. With everything going on in the world, I know my experience is not unique, so I thought I'd share some of my personal reflection in hope of encouraging someone else.
AI & Creativity - Is AI creative? Does it make us more creative? Or, does it accomplish none of the above? This week I dug into a study that was on a mission to answer those questions, and the findings were interesting to say the least. While the study's size and criteria wouldn't serve as concrete evidence, they do put some additional points in the camp that AI + People nets a better result.
AI Friend - Would you wear an AI device that listens to everything happening around you and engages with you about it like a true friend? Hard pass here, but the fact these devices keep popping up in different flavors speaks to a trend we'd be wise not to ignore. I still remember when taking out your phone in a social setting was rude. It's not crazy to think a future generation might take that to the next level.
EU AI Act - Let's regulate our way out of this AI mess we created, amirite? I'm pretty sure that's not the slogan for the EU AI Act, but maybe it should be. Joking aside, it's about time someone took some significant steps to at least lay out a regulatory framework. Will it be perfect an solve all our problems? No, but we have to start somewhere. And, if you think this doesn't apply because you don't live in the EU, think again. I'm still in therapy for my recurring GDPR nightmares.
Show Notes:
In this week's update, Christopher shares a personal experience with job loss amidst widespread industry downsizing, highlighting the importance of empathy and support. He also examines the impact of AI on creativity, referencing a study showing that AI can enhance the creativity of average writers. Also discussed is an AI friend pendant designed to combat loneliness, sparking concerns about human connection. Finally, there's a detailed look at the EU's new AI Act, the world's first comprehensive framework to regulate AI, with potential global implications. The episode aims to inform and encourage viewers about current trends and coping strategies in the realms of job loss, AI integration, and industry regulations.
00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - My Layoff Experience
04:32 - Encouragement and Vulnerability
12:24 - Impact of AI on Creativity
23:01 - AI Friend Pendant: A New Trend?
31:43 - EU AI Act and Global Implications
40:56 - Conclusion and Future Updates
ai #regulation #creativity #wellbeing #layoffs
With another week coming to a close, I'm bringing you another rundown on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. From deep fakes to AI burnout, there's a lot going on.
With that, let's get to it.
SearchGPT - OpenAI has Google in its sights with its latest AI solution, which isn't quite ready for public consumption. Whether they've learned from the AI-search blunders the other big players experienced has yet to be seen. However, the demo video having factual errors in the results isn't a good start.
Kamala Harris Deepfake - I'm not sure anyone is surprised to hear deepfake tech is being used in 2024 election media. However, when one of the world's most prominent billionaires violates his own community guidelines to spread it, people get rightfully fired up. Maybe it's time we set aside the tech risks for a minute and address the underlying problems.
AI Olympic Surveillance - While millions flocked to Paris to watch the Olympics, they may not have realized they'd be the primary thing being watched by the machines. While there are some practical reasons why, and the way it's being handled seems solid, it's understandable why privacy concerns would be heightened.
AI Workload & Burnout - A recent study shows that despite AI's promises, employees are quickly finding themselves with heavier workloads and greater burnout than ever before. A deeper investigation into the data makes it pretty apparent why, and it's not surprising. However, if we don't change course, we're going to have an even bigger problem on our hands.
AI Data Crisis - As if it wasn't bad enough that the potential training data runway was running out, legislation and legal matters are tearing up significant chunks of what runway was left. This has many wondering whether we'll continue the exponential growth in AI's capability.
Show Notes:
Christopher examines the latest developments in the world of business, technology, and the human experience. This week's topics include OpenAI's new SearchGPT and its impact on search engines, the ethical concerns surrounding Elon Musk's deepfake video of Kamala Harris, the role of AI surveillance at the upcoming Olympics in Paris, and a revealing study on how AI is increasing workload and burnout among employees. Christopher also talks about the potential implications of AI running out of training data.
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - The Rise of SearchGPT
11:12 - Elon Musk's Deepfake Controversy
22:07 - AI Surveillance at the Olympics
30:57 - AI's Impact on Workforce: Burnout and Workload
43:55 - Concerns About AI Data Shortage
50:13 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #cybersecurity #privacy #politics #burnout
Will AI be the key to unlocking unparalleled human potential in the workplace or a threat to our very existence?
This week, I'm digging into this, one of the most pressing questions of our time, with with Arjun Nagendran, founder of Relative AI. However, our conversation goes even deeper, tackling the nuanced ways AI can transform how we develop skills, enhance communication, and foster genuine human relationships.
Arjun brought it with his dynamic experience at the intersection of robotics and AI, sharing insights from his work with the U.S. Navy and the Gates Foundation. We unpack how organizations can leverage AI to not only streamline processes but also to unlock hidden potential within their teams, sharing many real-world applications, such as how to use AI to analyze conversations at scale, predicting outcomes based on human psychology and linguistics, and improving employee engagement through data-driven strategies.
However, like so many of my conversations, we go far beyond the technical details. There was a heavy focus on the human side of AI integration, reinforcing the importance of empathy, communication, and teamwork. We highlighted how AI can help us understand and enhance soft/power skills, leading to more cohesive and effective teams. I think any business leader, HR professional, or, quite frankly, anyone interested in the future of work will walk away with something.
With that, listen in as we challenge the conventional wisdom about AI and explore its potential to create a more connected, efficient, and human-centered workplace. As always, it's my aim to keep you ten steps ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of business and technology.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher digs into the intricacies of using AI for skills and human connection with Arjun Nagendran, founder of Relative AI. They emphasize the strategic use of AI to mitigate organizational problems and enhance workforce skills. Arjun shares insights from his diverse background in robotics, virtual reality, and AI, highlighting how organizations can leverage data to solve practical problems, improve sales processes, and foster teamwork. They also explore the potential and limitations of large language models and the importance of specialized AI for achieving competitive advantages. The conversation provides valuable advice for organizations contemplating their AI strategies and the critical role of data and context in successful AI implementations.
00:00 - Introduction
01:14 - Arjun Nagendran: From Robotics to AI Innovations
04:50 - Exploring the Power of Language in AI and Human Interaction
12:42 - Unpacking the Potential of Conversational Data with AI
22:09 - Specialized AI: Beyond Generic Models to Tailored Solutions
27:59 - Strategic Applications of AI: Business Insights vs. People Development
32:53 - The Maturity Curve and Organizational Readiness for AI
35:35 - Effective AI Implementation Strategies
42:40 - The Risks of Mismanaging AI in Organizations
44:12 - Leveraging AI for Specialized Solutions
50:18 - Navigating the AI Landscape: A Strategic Approach
59:29 - Embracing AI: Practical Advice for Early Adopters
ai #NLP #digitaltransformation #skills #futureofwork
What better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than a rundown on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience. And, let me tell you, there have been some major events and developments, so hunker down and let's get to it.
- Crowdstrike Debacle - You'd think you'd learn your lesson after taking down the digital world in 2010, but apparently not. George Kurtz did it again last week when Crowdstrike brought Windows machines and the companies that run on them to a screeching halt. It's a perilous tale of what happens when you are overdependent on tech.
- Intuit Layoff Letter - Intuit's CEO Sasan Goodarzi took some major heat for an email he sent to employees outlining the plans they had for upcoming layoffs and everything that follows. While there were a few points of criticism, I don't think all the criticism is fair. At the end of the day, people don't respond to layoffs well no matter what you say.
- ChatGPT-4o Mini & Lllama 3 405B - Big language, small language. While Meta has captured attention with his now industry-leading LLM, its competitor, OpenAI, is making leaps in a different direction. While I don't think the headlines that "this changes everything" are even remotely accurate, it's worth noting what's happening.
- Hyper-Personalization Risks - I came to believe Doritos to be the best chip on the planet because of the movies I grew up watching as did many of my friends. However, what happens when that shared experience is no longer shared? While that example may seem inconsequential, the reality that people will continue living in completely different experiences will have a profound impact on society. What impact that will be is still yet to be determined.
- Samsung Galaxy Deepfakes - Hey look! There's a cat in a top hat and a cane walking through my lawn! Not really, but I could make that happen in seconds with the new Samsung Galaxy AI image enhancement capability. While fake images have always been a thing, you used to have at least to know your way around Photoshop. Not anymore, and that's a bit of a jarring thought.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, Christopher offers a comprehensive analysis of recent major events at the intersection of business technology and human experience. Key topics include the CrowdStrike incident that disrupted Windows machines worldwide, the critical evaluation of Intuit's significant layoffs and the implications of their CEO's communication, and major developments in the AI space such as ChatGPT 4 Omni Mini and Meta's Llama 3 large language model. Additionally, a thought-provoking discussion on hyper-personalization in media, its risks, and a closer look at the new AI-powered functionalities of Samsung's Galaxy series. Stay ahead with insights into the continuous evolution of technology and its impact on our lives.
00:00 - Introduction
01:09 - CrowdStrike Incident Lessons
13:22 - Intuit's CEO Layoff Email
25:49 - GPT-4o Mini and Meta's LLaMA 3
32:01 - The Risks of Hyper-Personalization
40:52 - Samsung's AI Z Fold: Cool or Concerning?
46:40 - Final Thoughts and Reflections
ai #deepfake #layoffs #leadership #techtrends
What if I told you that the answers to successfully navigating our advanced technological age are plainly written in the pages of a 6,000-year-old manuscript? Sounds counterintuitive, right?
In this special episode, I'm deviating slightly from my usual lineup to discuss the intersection of ancient scripture and modern technology. My goal is to highlight how the Bible holds timeless wisdom that can guide us through the chaos and uncertainty of today’s digital world.
Reality is, we live in disruptive times where technological advancements are outpacing our ability to understand and manage them. AI, digital interfaces, and the vast expanse of the internet have fundamentally changed the way we interact, work, and live. But with these advancements come significant risks – risks that, if left unchecked, can lead us down a path of isolation, identity confusion, and a relentless pursuit of personal desires at the expense of our collective well-being.
Surprisingly, the earliest chapters of Genesis offer profound insights into these very challenges. From the story of Adam and Eve to the Tree of Knowledge, these ancient texts highlight the perils of radical individualism, the confusion of identity, and the destructive power of unchecked desires. By examining these stories, we can uncover practical wisdom that helps us navigate the digital age with a sense of purpose and direction.
And, despite the uncertainties ahead, there is hope. The Bible not only warns us of the dangers but also provides encouragement and guidance. It reminds us that we are not alone in this journey and that there is a higher purpose and plan at work. By understanding ourselves and our vulnerabilities, we can make more informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls that advanced technology can present.
So, whether you share my biblical worldview or not, I invite you to listen and discover the timeless truths that can help us all navigate our future with confidence and clarity.
Show Notes:
In this unique episode, Christopher departs from his usual content to share a talk he prepared for a church on the future of technology. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of advanced technology, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and wisdom drawn from biblical principles. He also shares personal stories and struggles, highlighting the necessity of understanding our vulnerabilities. He outlines four major risks associated with technology, grounded in the early chapters of Genesis, and provides insights on how to navigate these risks effectively. Whether you share his worldview or not, this episode offers valuable perspectives on maintaining balance and purpose in a rapidly evolving digital world.
00:00 - Introduction and Context
03:04 - Personal Background
05:41 - Setting the Stage: Technology and Biblical Wisdom
11:26 - Four Key Risks of Advanced Technology
12:49 - Risk 1: Radical Individualism
17:28 - Risk 2: Confused Identities
23:40 - Risk 3: Getting What You Want
28:36 - Risk 4: Cheap Substitutes for Good Things
33:57 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement
42:16 - Conclusion and Call to Action
AI #technology #christianity #ethics #wellbeing
There's the headline, and then there's the truth and story underneath that headline. It's interesting how much variance there often is between the two, and this week is no exception. In this weekly update, I cover five happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience in a way that helps you make sense of what's happening and what you can do to navigate it.
With that, let's get to it.
ATT Data Breach - Anybody else noticed a recent surge of junk texts or been added to an unusual amount of spam WhatsApp groups? Well, it may be the result of the recent ATT breach. While annoying, the breach may not carry some of the implications the hype would suggest. The breach may not even have had anything to do with ATT. All that said, there are some important lessons we can all take about our personal data practices.
Child-Safe AI - We have age limits on military service, smoking, drinking, and voting. Why not AI? Or maybe we work with the marketing team from D.A.R.E to see if we can keep a kid off AI. Joking aside, the risks of AI are exponentially higher when we think about the vulnerabilities of children. Unfortunately, they're often the last ones to be considered. Perhaps it's time we did something about that.
Decoding Whale Linguistics - Did you hear what one whale said to the other? Me neither, and despite AI's recent developments in identifying patterns in what would otherwise seem like meaningless whale noise, we still haven't cracked the code. That said, we have made one small step for whales, one giant leap for whalekind.
AI Physicians - It's it fun to go through all the hassle of seeing a human doctor only to have them run through a series of standard questions? No, no it is not. Thankfully, AI is making some powerful developments in its ability to automate the mundane, hopefully opening up more room for meaningful doctor/patient interactions. However, whether that's where we end up will depend on the choices we make.
Data Worker Exploitation - There's nothing funny about people being paid pennies to expose themselves to horrific working conditions, all so we can have a fancy chatbot that spits out the best chocolate chip cookie recipe or even the cure for cancer. While most people don't realize the conditions of many data workers, we should, if for no other reason than to contribute to helping prevent the exploitation of data workers. At the end of the day, there are better solutions and we need to demand them.
Show Notes:
In this week's update, Christopher dives into the intricacies of the AT&T data breach, misconceptions, and its broader implications. Explore the risks AI presents to children, with a spotlight on a study examining AI interactions with young users. Discover how AI is decoding whale communications and the limitations of current findings. Learn about Eureka AI's contributions to healthcare, particularly in diagnosing thyroid conditions, and the importance of maintaining human oversight in medical applications. Finally, uncover the exploitation faced by data workers in the AI industry and initiatives advocating for their rights and better working conditions.
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Understanding the AT&T Data Breach
11:16 The Impact of AI on Child Safety
21:07 Decoding Whale Communication with AI
28:26 Eureka AI: Revolutionizing Thyroid Disorder Diagnosis
38:35 The Human Cost of AI: Data Worker Exploitation
48:20 Conclusion and Call to Action
ai #artificialintelligence #healthcare #equity #cybersecurity
Can technology truly enhance human-centered leadership, or is it a competitor for the center?
This week, I'm digging into that and more with with Will Guillaume Foussier, CEO and Founder of AceUp. Will’s journey from Harvard’s Innovation Lab to leading a company at the forefront of leadership transformation has given him a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and human-centered development.
Together, we'll explore the core principles of human-centered leadership and the surprising ways technology can support these ideals. We'll highlight the importance of personalized development and the transformative impact that thoughtful, tech-enabled coaching can have on leaders at all levels.
At a time when the human touch is more crucial than ever, we need to understand how it is intricately linked with technological advancements. Connecting the dots between these two is essential to the success of every leader and the performance of every organization. I think you'll find this episode essential for anyone interested in the future of leadership and the innovative strategies driving real change in the workplace. As always, we'll challenge conventional wisdom and offer new perspectives on integrating human-centered values with cutting-edge technology.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher welcomes Will Foussier, Founder, and CEO of AceUp, to discuss the transformative role of AI in coaching. The conversation explores the intersection of business technology, human experience, and AI-enhanced coaching. Christopher and Will dive into Will's journey from finance to becoming a leader in coaching services, the critical importance of a coaching culture, and how technology can democratize access to high-quality coaching. They also tackle essential topics such as building trust in coaching relationships, the balance of data privacy and transparency, and the cultural shift needed to embrace AI as a tool for personal and organizational growth. This episode offers valuable insights into how organizations can harness the power of AI to enhance coaching, drive performance, and foster an inclusive, learning-oriented culture.
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Meet Will Foussier: Journey to Coaching
08:20 - Challenges and Misconceptions in Coaching
13:30 - The Role of Trust and Leadership in Coaching
18:36 - Implementing Coaching in Organizations
26:38 - Navigating Data Privacy in Coaching
38:21 - The Role of Team Coaching
40:48 - AI and the Future of Coaching
50:58 - The Value of Data in Coaching
59:25 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #coaching #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #futureofwork
John C. Maxwell said it well when he said, "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional."
This week, I've got a rundown of the latest updates at the interesection of business, tech, and human experience that offer a glimpse into the truth of that statement. And, if you're wondering whether change will at least slow its pace, I wouldn't hold your breath.
With that, let's get to it.
Instagram AI Influencers - "So, I was talking with my favorite AInfluencer the other day, and you'll never guess what they had to say about..." What kind of crazy world are we living in where our social media apps add functionality that lets you knowingly engage with your favorite influencers, knowing full well you're not even talking to a person? I'm sorry but while there are some people I'd love to meet that I probably never will, an artificial substitute doesn't count.
AI Music Legal Troubles—2002 called and wants its Napster back. Sorry, they'll have to hold. 1993 is on hold arguing about a mix tape. While I'll acknowledge the legal kerfuffle around AI music platforms Suno and Udio isn't the same, there are a lot of familiar scents in the air as the music industry dukes it out in the AI arena.
No Hope Robots - Work has gotten so bad that even robots are terminating themselves to get out of it. Yes, you heard that right. Now, taking one's own life is no joking matter, as I know from my own experiences, which is why we need to take things seriously when even robots are showing up in the data. There's a lot more to this than initially presents, but it's a growing trend we need to be actively working to mitigate.
CriticGPT - While suggesting a snake eat its own tail to address its appetite problems may sound like madness, it apparently isn't when it comes to AI. With the speed AI is creating stuff, the only hope we have in evaluating whether what its creating is any good is AI, at least that's what OpenAI thinks with it's announcement of CriticGPT. And, they may not be wrong despite my initial reactions.
AI's Economic Impact - You know it's getting serious when the government is taking serious action on something, and the impending impact of AI on jobs, income disparity, and tax revenue apparently has them spooked. What does it all mean? Well, right now it seems we're more focused on pointing out the problem than finding a solution, but we have to start somewhere.
Show Notes:
In this week's update, Christopher covers a wide range of intriguing topics at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. Highlights include a discussion on Instagram's AI Studio for influencers, major lawsuits in the music industry involving AI-generated music, reports of AI robots terminating themselves due to monotonous tasks, and OpenAI's newly launched Critic GPT designed to audit ChatGPT. Christopher also examines economic and societal implications of AI, exploring fiscal policies, unemployment concerns, and income disparity challenges in an AI-driven future. Tune in for insightful commentary on how these developments impact both industries and individuals.
00:00 - Introduction
01:18 - Instagram AI Influencers: The New Trend
10:06 - The Music Industry's Legal Battle with AI
18:32 - Self-Terminating AI Robots: A Disturbing Trend
25:57 - AI Auditing AI: The Rise of Critic GPT
36:56 - Economic Impacts of AI: A Growing Concern
45:50 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future
techtrends #ai #lawsuits #mentalhealth #economics
What will it take to finally put to rest legacy methods of learning?
This week, I'll be challenging conventional skill development methods by diving into the world of AI-powered, game-based learning with Huw Newton-Hill, Managing Director of North America at Attensi. Still, believe gamification is just another trendy buzzword? Prepare to be surprised.
We'll be doing a deep dive into how game-based learning can dramatically reduce training times while simultaneously closing knowledge gaps. We’ll discuss how these immersive simulations provide a risk-free environment for learners, enhancing both engagement and effectiveness.
It will also be an opportunity to explore the rapidly expanding role AI is playing in automating and optimizing the experience while tackling the balance between automation and human interaction in training programs. Done right, we can use technology to create a more personal experience that hits on the most human elements all while having a bit of fun. I think you'll find the conversation is packed with forward-thinking ideas and practical examples of how AI is revolutionizing the way we develop skills.
Whether an L&D professional, a business leader, or simply curious about the future of education, this conversation offers valuable insights into the evolving world of skill development.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher explores the intersection of AI, game-based skill development, and business with Hew Newton-Hill, Managing Director of North America at Attensi. The discussion centers around the evolving landscape of skill development, the impact of AI, and how game-based learning can enhance employee training. Key insights include the balance between human expertise and AI, personalization in learning, and strategies for driving innovation within organizations. Perfect for business leaders and learning professionals looking to integrate AI with purpose.
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
06:49 - Gamification vs. Game-Based Learning
16:46 - The Role of AI in Game Design and Learning
24:39 - Personalized Learning Experiences with AI
31:36 - User-Generated Content and Coaching
37:08 - The Role of Humility in Performance
46:00 - Experimentation and Risk in AI Adoption
49:56 - Understanding Your Organization
56:41 - Collaborative Innovation
ai #skilldevelopment #gamification #futureofwork #genai
Happy Independence Day to all my American listeners, and what better way to celebrate than a rundown on some of the biggest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience? Amirite?
So, let the celebration begin!
Rogue AI Clone - Let's have people interact with an AI clone of me! What could possibly go wrong? A lot as Caryn Marjorie quickly learned as her fans engaged with her AI clone in ways she never imagined. What was most disturbing to her wasn't just the behavior of her fans but the way her AI clone was behaving on her behalf.
Meeting Behavior Research - Study reveals that too many meetings aren't good for employees! Who would have thought? While the research had a lot of say about the rising trend of meeting volume, non-participation, and camera usage, we need to be careful not to wrongly conclude, "If we just get people back in a room together, it will all be okay."
Future of AI Entertainment - Imagine a world where rather than flipping through pages of options on Netflix you had to think of everything about what you wanted to see in the media. Sounds amazing right? Not really. Ignoring the tech limitations, I don't see human behavior driving us to a world of user-generated media as a replacement for real artistic work.
Real Reason for Tech Layoffs - Are GenAI models and AI Agents the nefarious secret behind why so many tech companies are wiping out their tech talent? Not according to Joe Procopio, and I think there's a lot of truth in his assessment. However, given all these things resulting in layoffs, is there any hope for human labor. More than you may realize.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher discusses the risks and challenges of using AI clones based on the case of influencer Caryn Marjorie, who faced issues when her AI-generated chatbot went off the rails. The episode also explores a massive Harvard Business Review study on the evolving patterns of meetings post-pandemic, highlighting the decline in face-to-face interactions and the increase in virtual meeting fatigue. The third topic addresses the potential of AI in entertainment and my disagreement with Ashton Kutcher's vision of AI-generated movies replacing traditional production. Finally, the episode explores the recent tech layoffs, examining the multifaceted reasons behind them, including overhyped AI expectations, economic conditions, and the inflated value of tech talent. The host provides insights and advice for both companies and employees navigating these changes.
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
01:06 - The Risks of AI Clones: A Cautionary Tale
11:35 - Harvard Study on Meeting Behaviors
21:54 - The Future of AI in Entertainment
29:18 - Tech Layoffs and the Role of AI
41:02 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #techtrends #layoffs #chatbots #media
You've heard me say on many occasions we're shifting into the age of distrust.
This week I'm exploring what that means and why it's happening as I dive into the complex world of deepfakes and cybersecurity with Jason Thatcher, founder of Breacher.ai. Together we're the evolving threats posed by AI technologies.
In our conversation, we cover how deepfakes are created and the ethical challenges they pose. While this reality often creates a polarized conversation, we'll bring a balanced view on AI, discussing its potential for both innovation and misuse. We also explore practical strategies for individuals and organizations to shield themselves against digital deception, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and situational awareness.
I think you'll find the entire episode filled with actionable advice on how to navigate the challenges of this advanced technology in our everyday lives. Hopefully, by understanding the mechanics behind deepfakes and learning how to enhance our defenses, we can better prepare ourselves for a future where digital authenticity is constantly questioned.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher dives into the rapidly evolving world of deepfakes and cybersecurity. It focuses on the implications of living in an age where distinguishing real from fake becomes increasingly challenging. Joined by Jason Thatcher, founder of Breacher AI, they explore the dangers posed by deepfakes, share anecdotes of impactful scams, and offer practical advice and strategies to mitigate these threats. From understanding the underlying human behaviors exploited by deepfakes to implementing simple countermeasures, this conversation aims to keep professionals, individuals, and families aware and prepared in the face of emerging digital threats.
00:00 -Introduction
02:01 - The Rapid Evolution of AI and Its Implications
05:37 - The Ethical Dilemma: Balancing Innovation with Security
12:17 - Understanding Deep Fakes: Definitions and Dangers
17:02 - Awareness and Education: The First Line of Defense
25:56 - Emerging Threats and How to Prepare
31:49 - Strategies for Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks
36:14 - Building Trust and Verification in the Digital Age
46:50 - Emerging Technologies and the Future of Cybersecurity
55:30 - Reflecting on the Impact and Future of AI
deepfake #ai #cybersecurity #ethics #artificialintelligence
One of the only things we can count on in life is change, and this week is no exception. As usual, the tsunami of tech advancements and changes pushes forward, and I'm covering some of the ones I found most significant.
Thanks as always to the community of you that listen, share ideas, and pass along encouraging messages. If there is anything I can do to continue improving the updates, don't hesitate to share. And, if you found this update helpful, do me a favor and share it with a friend. With that, let's get to it.
Dell Employee's Revolt - You won't find "give your employees an ultimatum" in any leadership books, and there's a good reason why. Not only does it not work, but you'll quickly find yourself with a bigger mess than you started with. Dell is learning that lesson the hard way when more than half of their employees spun the cylinder, smiled, and pulled the trigger.
Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet - The GenAI wars continue and Anthropic is the latest to throw down. Sonnet 3.5 is out, and it's beating its competitors in benchmarks and human feedback. So, do you switch tools, wait for the next move, or something in between? With the way things are moving, it's like watching the cord cutter movement play out all over again.
AI Job Stealing - Humans will always have a role in their company...at least they willl until they don't. Or at least that's what a recent leader shared after he and his 60-person team were eliminated after they successfully automated all their function's work. However, did AI really "steal" their jobs or was the writing on the wall all along and everyone was too busy playing with their AI tools to notice?
Sex Robots - Well, the Siths of AI continue keeping pace with their Jedi counterparts as a company in China announced it would be "enhancing" their sex robots with generative AI as early as this summer. While I don't see walking, talking sex robots going mainstream anytime soon, it is a concerning indicator of what's to come.
AI Text-to-Video Developments - AI Text-to-video seems to be following a similar path to its AI text-to-image counterparts, now making it possible for consumers to simply type their animated ideas into existence. Like much of the advancements we see, there's a lot of potential for good held in tension with the potential for bad. Or, who knows, maybe we'll land squarely in the middle with an even bigger tidal wave of AI-generated garbage.
Show Notes:
In this week's Weekly Update, Christopher discusses Dell's controversial ultimatum regarding remote work and its impact on employee morale. The episode also explores recent advancements in AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 language model, and the implications for the workplace. Other topics include text-to-video technology, the integration of generative AI into sex robots in China, and the potential risks and benefits of automation tools like InVideo AI. Tune in to understand how these developments intersect with business, technology, and human experience.
00:00 - Introduction
01:20 - Dell's Remote Work Ultimatum
13:00 - Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Model
18:36 - AI's Impact on Job Security
30:45 - AI in Sex Robots
34:42 - Luma Labs: Advancements in Text-to-Video AI
42:33 - InVideo AI: Automating Video Creation
46:53 - Final Thoughts and Warnings
ai #techtrends #futureofwork #ai4good #ethics
Ever wondered why some organizations soar while others struggle to keep up? While it's a complicated mix, one secret often lies in how they develop their managers. This week, we're diving into the critical world of manager development with a special focus on new managers.
This week, I explored the essential tools and tactics necessary for cultivating successful managers from the start. Joining me in the conversation is Eric Girard, an author, seasoned trainer, and expert in managerial excellence. Together, we unpacked the transformative power of effective management training. We also highlighted how getting it right doesn't just boost individual performance but elevates entire teams, reshaping the future of an organization.
As usual, you can expect a blend of practical advice, innovative strategies, and real-world examples aimed at enhancing manager skills across the board. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an established executive, this conversation will help you either build a robust team or refine your current approach.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher is joined by Eric Girard, CEO of Girard Training Solutions and author of 'Lead Like a Pro,' to discuss the distinction between managers and leaders, and why it's crucial to build effective managers. Eric shares his extensive experience in learning and development from Silicon Valley to running his own company, emphasizing the importance of empathy, delegation, and relationship building in management. Key topics include setting SMART goals, coaching, feedback, and managing up. The conversation also explores how managers can significantly impact their team's mental health and overall well-being.
00:00 - Introductions
03:44 - The Distinction Between Managers and Leaders
06:19 - Challenges and Misconceptions in Management
13:30 - Essential Skills for Effective Management
17:33 - Delegation and Avoiding Micromanagement
26:49 - Handling Pressure and Change Management
30:01 - Understanding Priorities and Risk Analysis
31:35 - The Importance of Managing Up
33:34 - Flexibility and Adaptability in Management
45:29 - The Role of Empathy in Leadership
53:07 - Concluding Thoughts on Effective Management
leadership #management #coaching #strategy #futureofwork
With that, we've made it through another week, and with it comes another list of interesting developments at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience. This week's are a little unique in that there is a red thread that runs through them all.
As always, thanks to the community of you who send along topics and feedback. With that, let's hit it.
Microsoft Recalls Recall - It's never fun to admit when there's egg all over your face, especially when you're the one who put it there. However, Microsoft stepped up to the plate after the intense reaction to Microsoft Recall and while they haven't completely recalled the product, they have changed it so you have to opt-in versus opt-out. Who says we can't inspire change?
Apple & OpenAI's $0 Deal - You don't typically see gentleman's agreements between massive companies, and I'm sure in this case, there were still plenty of lawyers involved. However, the partnership between Apple and OpenAI doesn't appear to have a formal dollar amount associated with it. While that's led many to go the conspiratorial route, there seems to be some pretty logical explanations on why that's where they landed.
Apple's OnDevice AI - Speaking of conspiracies, many have been wondering if Apple Intelligence is just a fancy way to distract you from your data being taken and sent elsewhere. However, digging deeper into the capabilities of Apple's OnDevice model, it's clear we're moving into an age where Internet connectivity and massive data centers won't be a dependency for fully capable GenAI. That's probably good since everyone demanding a digital Maybach for occasional AI use isn't terribly sustainable.
Snowden Calls Out OpenAI - While OpenAI adding a former NSA Director to their board may have slipped past many, Edward Snowden wasn't one of them. He also had some pretty harsh words to say about the decision, letting people know "They've been warned." However, while he's got some legitimate reasons for concern, is this really the government conspiracy many have been led to believe? I'm not convinced based on OpenAI's needs as a company and the purpose of board members.
Autonomous Warfare - While autonomous sharpshooters have historically been reserved for sci-fi military movies, a video I watched this week showcases how science fiction is quickly becoming a reality. And, while some are suggesting there's no reason for concern since we'll just live in a world where robots fight robots, I can't help but wonder about their choice of weapons. If I were in a fight against a robot, a gun wouldn't be my weapon of choice. It'd be a lot more logical, and I'd certainly feel a lot more comfortable if they were walking around with buckets of water.
Show Notes:
In this week's update, Christopher discusses Microsoft's significant change to its 'Recall' feature, highlighting the consumer pushback that led to a shift from an opt-out to an opt-in model. The episode also unpacks into the intricacies of the Apple and OpenAI partnership, debunking conspiracies around their no-money transaction and emphasizing their mutual benefits. Additionally, we explore Apple's advanced on-device AI model, its implications for data privacy, and the shift towards more localized AI solutions. The episode concludes with a sobering look at the Government's potential involvement in AI companies as well as the role of AI in military technology, featuring autonomous marksman robots and the ethical considerations they raise.
00:00 - Introduction and Weekly Update Overview
01:59 - Microsoft Recall: Privacy Concerns and Changes
08:11 - Apple and OpenAI Partnership: No Financial Exchange
15:49 - Apple's On-Device AI Model: Privacy and Capabilities
27:55 - Snowden's Warning: OpenAI and Government Involvement
38:25 - Autonomous AI in Warfare: Ethical Concerns
44:59 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ArtificialIntelligence #Microsoft #Apple #OpenAI #DataPrivacy #TechNews #MilitaryTech
Have you ever wondered what truly drives innovation in the tech world? Is it the rapid development of technology itself, or the people behind the scenes who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table?
That's what I'm talking about this week with William A. Adams, a tech advisor at Microsoft. Together we'll explore the often overlooked but essential aspects of diversity in tech. I think you'll find our conversation isn't just about ticking boxes or meeting quotas; it's about understanding how a varied range of backgrounds and viewpoints can lead to breakthrough innovations and a more inclusive tech environment.
We also don't shy away from the tough topics and discuss the systemic barriers that still exist, the progress we've made, and the road ahead. Hopefully, our conversation will help you gain an understanding of why inclusivity is not just a moral obligation but a business imperative. Furthermore, you'll glean some tangible steps everyone can take to create a truly inclusive culture.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher navigates a discussion on diversity in technology with seasoned technologist William A. Adams. They dig into the impact and importance of diversity as we transition into the AI age, highlighting the biases ingrained in AI systems and the steps needed to counteract them. William shares his extensive background in the tech space, from his early years self-teaching computer programming to his impactful career at Microsoft, including his work with the LEAP program to foster more inclusive hiring practices. Together, they explore the human condition's role in these challenges and the urgency of creating equitable systems and humane AI. They encourage proactive engagement, innovation, and the creation of new opportunities in tech to ensure a fair and inclusive future. This episode is a call to action for individuals to leverage their autonomy and influence the direction of AI and technology positively.
00:00 - Introduction
01:46 - William A. Adams: A Tech Journey from the Past to Present
04:58 - The Evolution of Technology and Its Accessibility
10:33 - Diversity in Tech: Beyond the Surface
19:44 - Navigating Cultural and Generational Shifts in the Workplace
29:19 - The Impact of AI on Identity and Work
31:16 - Addressing Bias in AI Systems
36:22 - Creating Opportunities in the Age of AI
46:43 - Leveraging AI for Humanity's Benefit
52:32 - The Future of AI: Opportunities and Responsibilities
58:46 - Concluding Thoughts on AI and Human Agency
diversity #ai #futureofwork #bias #ethics
It's that time of week again, and I've got another round of updates to celebrate. Thanks as always to the community of you who send in questions, topics, and feedback.
And with that, let's get on it.
Apple Intelligence - Lots of folks have been patiently waiting for Apple's big release this week to learn more about what's coming from them around AI, and the hype has been significant. Well, the time has come, and if you were looking to have your mind blown......well, let's just say you might walk away disappointed. However, there are a few interesting updates that carry some intriguing potential.
AI Meetings - Zoom's CEO thinks we need to send AI agents to attend our meetings for us, so we can be in multiple places at once. I mean, I get the line of thinking, but why aren't we asking the bigger question of, "if an AI agent attending and sending us a summary is all that's needed, couldn't that meeting have been an email?"
AI Growth Trajectory - Sam Altman doesn't hold back when he apologetically says GPT-4o is the dumbest model we'll ever have to deal with, hinting that what's ahead will be a notable improvement. Critics question the sustainability of model development. Former OpenAI employee Leopold Aschenbrenner put a lot of color on the canvas about what's ahead in his 165-page, comprehensive essay.
AI Brick Wall - What happens when AI consumes literally everything available on the Internet? It's a bit mind-boggling to think that we're almost there, but here we are, and it has some people predicting a major bottleneck for AI advancement. So, what's the solution? AI-generated data? Maybe, but how long can a snake eat its own tail before everything goes sideways?
Universal Basic Compute - It's an interesting thought experiment to consider what it would be like if our entire economic system got turned on its head. What if you paid for everything with tokens and compute power instead of the currency you use today? Would it be an easier path and deliver a better solution to the major problems held by our current economic structure, offering a utopian alternative? While the shift is rapidly becoming plausible, I don't think see it delivering on any of its promises given the root problems still exist.
Show Notes:
In this Weekly Update, Christopher explores the latest trends in business technology and human experience, highlighting new advancements from Apple's AI integration in iPhones, AI's role in meetings as proposed by the Zoom CEO, and recent updates on OpenAI's leadership and whistleblower allegations and the 165-page essay on where we're headed. We also delve into the concept of universal basic compute and its potential impact on the future economy and societal structure.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:21 Apple's AI Announcement: Hype vs. Reality
15:17 Zoom CEO's Vision for AI in Meetings
24:00 OpenAI Drama and Whistleblower Insights
25:14 The Spectrum of Technological Perspectives
27:00 Exponential Growth in Computing Power
29:04 The Intelligence Explosion Debate
34:20 AI's Data Brick Wall
39:27 Universal Basic Compute: A New Economic Model?
46:02 Cautionary Thoughts on AI and Society
51:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #appleai #datasecurity #economics #futureofwork
Is the traditional office a relic of the past, or is there still a case for the 9-to-5 at a desk under fluorescent lights? Is "flexible work" even possible for non-office jobs?
This week, I'm digging into the provocative and often polarized debate about flexible work. This will be a dynamic conversation as I explore the intricate dance between innovation and tradition with Nik Froehlich, the CEO of Saritasa, who finds himself at a crossroads.
While he champions the in-office experience, he acknowledges the pressing need to evolve with the changing tides of work culture. Together, we'll dissect the complexities of implementing flexible work arrangements without sacrificing the essence of collaboration and company culture.
This conversation will go way beyond theory. We'll be unpacking real challenges executives face while talking through practical steps and real-world insights from the front lines of leadership. Regardless of whether you're a startup entrepreneur, a corporate executive, or just someone curious about the future of work, I think you'll find this conversation will offer a ton of valuable perspectives on balancing flexibility with functionality.
Hopefully, you'll leave convinced that adapting to flexible work isn't just an option while simultaneously empathetic to the complexity and challenges required to make it a reality.
Show Notes:
In this episode of Future Focus, Nik Froehlich, CEO of Saratasa, shares his journey from a blue-collar background to leading a tech firm. Christopher and Nik discuss the intricacies of flexible working, how the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies to adapt, and the challenges and strategies in creating an effective hybrid work environment. They explore the importance of company culture, managing remote versus in-office employees, and the significance of intentional leadership. Nik and Christopher also emphasize the need for balance between flexibility and accountability, demonstrating how personalized approaches can better meet organizational and employee needs.
00:00 - Introduction
02:24 - Nik's Journey from Blue Collar to Tech Entrepreneur
12:36 - The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations
15:56 - Adapting to Remote Work and New Dynamics
20:20 - Challenges and Strategies for Hybrid Work
28:35 - Creating a Digital Culture: Tools and Strategies
33:00 - Generational Differences in Remote Work
33:56 - Maintaining Trust and Cohesion in Distributed Teams
39:06 - Balancing Remote Work Flexibility and Accountability
43:57 - The Future of Business: Physical vs. Virtual Presence
56:48 - Navigating Proximity Bias and Peer Perceptions
01:00:51 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
flexiblework #futureofwork #remotework #business #leadership
The first week of June is already behind us, and what a week it has been. There were several things I observed over the last week that I couldn't ignore, but I wasn't able to get to everything. As you may have guessed, the pace of change isn't slowing down, but I hope this week's update will have you seriously considering taking a pause.
As always, thanks to the community for your messages, recommendations, and encouraging words. Keep them coming, and feel free to pass along any feedback. I do this for you, so let me know how I can keep it valuable. With that, let's get to it.
Apple + OpenAI - Are those wedding bells I hear? It's official: Apple and OpenAI tied the knot, but what will their offspring look like? Too early to tell. However, I'd wager to bet we're going to see the number of people who formally engage with LLMs on a daily basis steeply rise. Whether that's a good thing or not, it's still too early to tell.
ChatGPT Outage - If you've been waiting to experience what the apocalypse might be like, you got a slight taste earlier this week. Jokes about the sudden decline in whitepapers and digital media aside, it was concerning to see how some businesses who have already become overly dependent on GenAI had everything come to a screeching halt. Maybe it's just me, but it's always a good idea to have a backup plan.
Microsoft Recall - How excited are you that Windows can log your every movement so you don't have to bother using that pesky brain of yours to remember what you did a few minutes ago? Apparently, people aren't quite ready to extend Microsoft that kind of trust based on their response to the capability.
AI GTA Madness - What happens when you train an AI to win by getting as many points as possible in a specific period of time? It finds a way to get as many points as possible in that period of time, even if it means the most efficient way to do it is continually running over innocent pedestrians. If you still aren't convinced you need to slow down before charging forward with AI, Robert Miles may change your mind.
AI Flash Gordon - What does it look like when a team of AI agents work together to build a complex system? I don't know. I blinked. In all seriousness, the speed at which AI agents can work together is mind-blowing, but unchecked, you might just find they built you a giant mess you have to clean up. So again, while AI is an increcible tool, we need to slow down and think before we act.
Show Notes:
As always, this week's future-focused update covers significant events at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. Key topics include Apple's new deal with OpenAI and its potential impact on AI assistants, concerns over growing AI dependency highlighted by a recent ChatGPT outage, and Microsoft's rollout of the controversial Recall feature. Christopher also discusses AI safety and unintended consequences through the lens of a video game example and the implications of AI agents working together. The episode raises questions about tech overreliance, cybersecurity, and the importance of critical thinking and diverse perspectives in AI development.
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
01:21 - Apple and OpenAI Partnership
05:23 - ChatGPT Outage
14:52 - Microsoft Recall and Privacy Concerns
24:17 - AI Safety and Unintended Consequences
36:14 - AI Agents and Job Disruption
41:18 - Elon Musk's Hybrid Human Concept
47:40 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
ai #techtrends #futureofwork #aiethics #digitaltransformation
What does it really take to steer a startup through its roller-coaster early days to stable growth and success and how is that changing in the digital age?
Today, I'm talking with Ben Friedman, founder of Build Scale Grow, who has spent his career guiding startups from tumultuous beginnings through the robust scaling phases. We're diving deep into the art and science of startup growth, shedding light on the pivotal decisions that matter as you shape an organization. We'll also unpack what's changing and what's staying the same in the digital age.
We'll talk candidly—both the wins and the challenges—about what it means to lead with foresight in a world where innovation races ahead daily. Our conversation will be packed with practical advice drawn from real-life scenarios, focusing on how startups can navigate growth while maintaining their core vision. And, even if you're not in the startup world, with all the dynamic changes happening in the professional sphere, everyone will walk away with some timeless wisdom.
So, listen in on how to align dynamic growth strategies with the fundamentals of business success, ensuring your startup not only survives but thrives in today's competitive environment. This will be a masterclass in startup resilience and strategic foresight.
Show Notes:
In this discussion, Christopher is joined by startup and innovation expert Benjamin Friedman to explore the implications of artificial intelligence, startups, and innovation on the future of business. They dig into Benjamin's background in supporting startups through significant growth and scale phases, emphasizing the importance of leadership, team-building, and holistic company development. The conversation also covers the impact of technological advancements like AI on company operations, the nuances of executing ideas successfully in a startup environment, and the pivotal role of human elements such as creativity, resilience, and adaptability for future success. Furthermore, Benjamin shares invaluable advice on taking small, informed steps towards innovation, prioritizing energy towards meaningful engagements, and embracing resilience to navigate the rapidly evolving business landscape and technological shifts.
00:00 - Introduction
01:44 - Benjamin: A Journey Through Startups
06:32 - The Uncertainty of Startups and the Myth of Stability
09:05 - Risk Appetite: Understanding Founders' Mindset
14:29 - The Startup Lifecycle: Growth, Complexity, and Self-Awareness
20:31 - The New Era of Startups: Accessibility and Automation
27:22 - Feedback and Self-Awareness: Key to Startup Success
30:47 - The Global Reach of Technology and AI in Business
34:55 - The Evolution of Automation and AI's Role
41:22 - The Human Element in AI Integration
45:30 - Navigating the Risks and Opportunities of AI
55:27 - Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs and Leaders in an AI-Driven World
startups #ai #futureofwork #innovation #digitaltransformation
The days may feel long, but the weeks quickly fly by, and this week is no exception. It's hard to believe we're already putting May in the rearview mirror. As usual, there were far too many updates to cover in a single episode; however, I'll be covering some of the ones I think are most notable.
Thanks also to all of you who send feedback and topics for consideration. Keep them coming!
With that, let's hit it.
- Reddit Chaos - I'm not a big fan of "told you so" moments, but there is a subtle satisfaction that comes when they arrive. When it comes to connecting Reddit to GenAI, it didn't take long for that moment to show up. As predicted, the lack of data cleaing practices and validation criteria went as expected and there has been a slew of crazy responses. Check them out if you want a good laugh (or cry).
- OpenAI Safety & New Model - GPT-What?! That's right, OpenAI has officially announced it has started training the successor of GPT-4. While we still don't have an official name, speculation on what we can expect to see is well on its way. Whatever is cooking, it must pack a punch since alongside that announcement came the announcement to formalize a new Safety Board. While it no doubt was influenced by the recent safety execs, it's a step in the right direction.
- Stanford Transparency Index - How much do we really know about how the AI sausage is made? According to a six month study by Standford, not a lot. Their Transparency Index highlights that while there has been improvements since Oct 2023, there is still a lot of room for improvement. Add to that, the "improvements" can be a bit misleading if you look beneath the surface.
- Google Safety Framework - Google has shared its safety framework, outlining the process they'll be following to assess when their models approach pre-defined risk thresholds, triggering mandatory mitigation planning. While it's good to have a well defined process, it's hard to know how effective it will be when it's not quite clear what exactly crosses the line.
- AI Kill Switch - When a global group of the largest, privately-held AI providers get together and universally agree on a "kill switch," you can't help but ask yourself "what kind of monster have we created?" Another step in the right direction that reveals a lot about where we are on the tech journey. And, I can't help but wonder what it really will take to "put down" one of these Leviathans.
Show Notes:
In this weekly update, Christopher spends dedicates a large portion of this update to AI safety and governance. Key topics include the missteps of AI's integration with Reddit, concerns sparked by the departure of OpenAI's safety executives, and Stanford's Model Transparency Index. The episode also explores Google's safety framework and global discussions on implementing an AI kill switch. Throughout, Christopher emphasizes the importance of transparency, external oversight, and personal responsibility in navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
00:00 - Introduction
01:46 - The AI and Reddit Cautionary Tale
07:28 - Revisiting OpenAI's Executive Departures
09:45 - OpenAI's New Model and Safety Board
13:59 - Stanford's Foundation Model Transparency Index
24:17 - Google's Frontier Safety Framework
30:04 - Global AI Kill Switch Agreement
38:57 - Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections
ai #cybersecurity #techtrends #artificialintelligence #futureofwork
How do businesses navigate the fine line between technological advancement and ethical integrity?
That's the topic of conversation this week as I talk with Dave Burrill, managing director at Bridging Business with IT, about the critical role of ethics in digital transformation. Given technology's prominent role in reshaping our professional landscapes, an ethical framework is essential in preventing moral oversights that could have long-lasting repercussions.
We'll be unpacking the tangible impacts of ethical decisions in technology integration, sharing insights from real business scenarios where the balance of moral values and business efficiency was put to the test. Our conversation sheds light on the strategies companies can employ to align technological innovations with core ethical principles, ensuring that progress does not come at the cost of values.
No fluff—just a straightforward dialogue on how businesses can foster a culture of ethical responsibility while embracing digital innovation. So, listen in to gain a deeper understanding of how to embed ethical considerations into your business strategy, ensuring that your company remains both innovative and principled.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher engages in a deep dive with Dave Burrell, Managing Director of Bridging Business with IT, exploring the critical intersection of business, technology, and the human experience in the context of digital transformations. They discuss the often overlooked ethical considerations in business and technology, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology with human values and business needs rather than just focusing on profits. The conversation sheds light on common pitfalls in digital transformations, such as failing to properly understand and integrate the needs of the business, the limitations of human communication in conveying expertise, and the necessity of iterative planning. They also cover the societal impacts of these challenges, highlighting stories from companies like Nestle and methodologies like agile and waterfall, to illustrate the broad implications of getting digital transformations right for businesses, individuals, and society at large.
00:00 - Introduction: Bridging Business and Technology
01:45 - Meet Dave Burrell: From Construction to Tech Visionary
09:05 - The Evolution of Technology in Business
11:34 - The Pitfalls of Digital Transformation
21:00 - The Ethical Implications of Business Practices
28:48 - Rethinking Project Management for Success
35:50 - Unlocking Team Potential Through Visualization
36:48 - The High Cost of Miscommunication in Leadership
39:37 - The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Business and Technology
41:22 - The Evolution of the CIO Role and the Need for Business Acumen
52:28 - The Power of Iterative Planning and Business-First Approaches
01:01:36 - The Ethical Imperative of Understanding Human Behavior in Business
01:06:48 - Concluding Thoughts on Improving Business and Society
digitaltransformation #ethics #futureofwork #leadership #AI
I hope you've had another fantastic week. To all my US-based folks, I hope you have some exciting plans for the Memorial Day weekend. And, regardless of what you're celebrating this weekend, what better way to kick it off than catching up on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience.With that, let's jump right into it:AI Adult Content (Part 2) - I've been caught off guard by people's responses to things I say many times over the years, but the reaction to my warning about OpenAI's exploration of using its tech for "responsible use" in adult media was exceptionally surprising. The craziest part was the vast majority of the reactions weren't directly to anything I said but what people assumed was implied by what I said. So, I thought I'd take the opportunity to set the record straight.OpenAI Dissolves Safety Team - Did the chicken or the egg come first? Jan and Llya's recent departure from OpenAI and the related dissolusion of the long-term safety team seems like a similar debate. While there's a lot of hype over draconian HR policy and public statements about the long-term conflict between exec members, what's really happening under the surface is a tale as old as time.OpenAI + Reddit = ? - Unfortunately, my days of teaching middle school math won't be much help in solving that equation. However, the deal between OpenAI and Reddit has no shortage of risks and considerations as we think about how these LLMs will make decisions and ultimately influence people in what they think and how they behave.Goodbye DEI; Hello Inclusion - As a Pheonix rises from the ashes, so inclusion seems to be rising from the remains of DEI. However, what does that really mean and what are the implications on workplace practices and policies? While the DEI train lost its way in an effort to make the workplace a better place for everyone, I'm not convinced that completely decoupling diversity and equity from the larger DEI-train is the right move.
Show Notes:
In this weekly update, Christopher unpacks several critical topics at the crossroads of business, technology, and human experience. The episode begins with a reflection on the backlash received over Christopher's concerns about OpenAI's potential venture into adult entertainment. He responds to criticism, clarifies his stance from a biblical worldview, and discusses the broader societal implications of adult media, challenging both religious and secular perspectives. Shifting gears, the discussion moves to OpenAI's recent controversies, including the public exits of two key executives due to safety concerns, and a new partnership with Reddit. Christopher addresses the potential dangers and benefits of this partnership, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in navigating AI's evolving landscape. Finally, the episode touches on the shifting narrative in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), highlighting the rise of 'inclusion' as the new focus. Christopher encourages listeners to engage respectfully with differing viewpoints and underscores the importance of individual discernment in these complex issues.
00:00 - Introduction
01:06 - Addressing the Backlash
04:52 - Navigating Criticism and Misunderstandings
08:26 - The Impact of Adult Media
18:32 - AI in Adult Entertainment
24:16 - OpenAI's Leadership Shake-Up
27:29 - Navigating AI Ethics and Safety Concerns
30:00 - The Business Pressures on AI Development
32:48 - Personal Responsibility in the Age of AI
35:46 - OpenAI's Deal with Reddit
43:03 - The Evolution of DEI to Inclusion
ai #OpenAi #ethics #DEI #futureofwork
Can we really measure how skilled we are in a world that's constantly changed by AI while simultaneously preparing for the future?
This week I'm digging into this big question and much more with Kian Katanforoosh, founder of Workera and DeepLearning. Together, we explored the impact AI already having on the way work is happening and what it means for employee skills. We also unpack how this whole shift is fundamentally shaking up the way we approach skill development and measurement.
Regardless of where you are, this conversation will hopefully help you understand the real impact of AI on our work and skills while helping you up.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher leads a comprehensive discussion on the practical ways AI is revolutionizing the workplace. Joined by Kian Katanforoosh, CEO and founder of Workera, the conversation explores how AI is changing organizational landscapes, the skills necessary for future-proofing careers, and the challenges faced in implementing AI. They discuss the importance of literacy in AI across different layers of organizations, the rapid evolution of skills due to AI, and the emerging roles of AI agents in business contexts. Key insights include the differences in AI adoption between tech and non-tech industries and strategic actions that companies can take to successfully integrate AI. The conversation concludes with a look at the future of jobs and productivity enhancements driven by AI.
00:00 - Introduction: Navigating AI in the Workplace
05:24 - The Four Tiers of AI Literacy and Their Impact
10:19 - AI Integration: From Strategy to Execution
20:35 - The Changing Landscape of Skills in the AI Era
24:57 - AI's Acceleration of Skill Half-Life and Organizational Learning
27:46 - Navigating Professional Evolution in a Disruptive Era
28:32 - The Importance of T-Shaped Skills and Learning Velocity
29:52 - Adapting Communication in the Age of AI
31:58 - AI's Impact on Jobs: AI, Automation, and New Job Creation
44:13 - Strategies for Successful AI Integration in Organizations
52:37 - Exploring the Potential of AI Agents in the Workplace
01:00:06 - Concluding Thoughts
ai #artificialintelligence #futureofwork #skills #skilldevelopment
Happy Friday Everyone! Congratulations on making it through another week, and what a week it has been. I've got another significant round of updates, and I'd encourage you to make sure you're sitting down. It takes a lot to give me pause, and this week's updates did just that.
Also, as always, thanks to those of you who send along topics and questions. I do these updates for the benefit of the community, so don't hesitate to send things along if you want them added to the list.
With that, let's get into it:
- Pollution Vacuum - If greenhouse gas is such a problem, why don't we just suck it out of the sky? While waving your Dyson in the air on your driveway might result in your neighbors calling the cops, it may not be as crazy of an idea as it sounds. While Iceland's "Mammoth" is an encouraging step in reducing our carbon footprint, we need to be careful we don't end up creating more problems than we solve.
- OpenAI GPT-4o - If you've followed previous updates, you've heard me say we may be approaching the top of the logarithmic graph of LLM advancement. I will officially take this opportunity to eat my words. Just when you think we've hit a ceiling, you realize any perceived ceiling is the floor of a new level of capability. While it may seem like some insignificant changes at first glance, there's more than meets the eye.
- Google Project Astra - I resisted the urge to do a deep dive into the full scope of Google's Project Astra since an 8-hour update probably wouldn't trend well. However, amidst a tidal wave of capabilities, there's a powerful undercurrent that will radically shift the world of work. To anyone holding tightly to the activities that currently occupy your workday, I'd highly recommend you loosen that grip or risk being dragged to the bottom of the sea.
- Universal Basic Income - With the forecasts of significant job disruption and the relentless march forward of AI capability, it's no surprise there's a rise in conversations about what we do to support people through the change. Sam Altman has been in the news recently for his talking points on the potential of AI-funded Universal Basic Income. While it's a far more complex and nuanced concept that is often treated, we'd be wise to avoid taking shots across the political bow about the merit of the idea and dig into what we realistically can do to support people through the inevitable disruption that's coming.
Show Notes:
The episode opens with a highlight on a new large-scale pollution vacuum developed by Climeworks in Iceland, signifying a step towards reducing atmospheric carbon. The narrative then shifts to the advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly GPT-4o by OpenAI and Google's Project Astra, forecasting the transformative impact on personal and professional life. Key topics include the rapid acceleration in AI capabilities, the integration into daily activities through conversational and visual AI, and potential implications for employment and societal adjustment. The host wraps up with a thoughtful take on universal basic income as a potential strategy to mitigate AI-induced economic disruptions, urging a balanced and unified approach to navigating the complex future landscape.
00:00 Kicking Off with Future-Focused Updates
01:32 Exploring the World's Largest Pollution Vacuum
10:49 Diving into OpenAI's GPT-4.0 Release and Google's Project Astra
25:59 The True Cost of 'Free' AI Tools
28:48 Exploring Google's Project Astra
31:46 The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World
39:32 Universal Basic Income: A Solution to AI Disruption?
46:49 Concluding Thoughts on AI, Work, and Society
AI #ClimateChange #AIAgents #OpenAI #Google #UBI
Will your technical skills be enough to navigate the AI revolution?
This week I'm sitting down with with Mark Herschberg, author and fractional CTO, who brings a unique flavor of technical expertise combined with career development and skill enhancement. Mark has walked the road from MIT to the forefront of AI innovation, yet he highlights how being a top-notch engineer is only part of the equation. Together, we dig into the crucial, often-overlooked skills that drive success in today's rapidly evolving workplace.
We also explore how AI is reshaping the job landscape, automating routine tasks, and elevating the importance of strategic roles. We discuss the rise of "centaurs" in the workforce, where human creativity and AI precision combine to outperform either working alone.
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, you will find valuable insights into the skills and strategies that will keep you ahead in a world where technology and human expertise intersect more than ever.
Show Notes:
This episode explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market and the necessary skills for navigating a technology-driven future. Christopher talks with Mark Herschberg, a CTO with a background in AI and career development, shares insights on the importance of technical and non-technical skill development amidst rapid technological change. The conversation covers the evolution of job roles with AI integration, the misconception of prompt engineering as a career, the shift towards continuous education, and the importance of having a career plan. The discussion also emphasizes the significance of applying knowledge through action rather than just acquisition, highlighting the need for a balance between enhancing technical competencies and developing timeless, human-centric skills for success in today's dynamic work environment.
00:00 - Introduction
01:08 - Mark Hirschberg: From MIT to AI Expertise
04:32 - The Evolution of Technical Skills and AI's Impact
09:23 - Legal and Healthcare: AI's Transformative Role
17:07 - AI Adoption Challenges and the Future of Work
26:31 - The Centaur Model: Blending Human Insight with AI
29:56 - Unlocking Career Success with Timeless Skills
33:42 - The Gap in Academic Education
37:18 - The Evolution of Job Requirements
44:43 - Continuous Learning: A New Model for Career Development
46:12 - Practical Career Planning Advice
52:14 - Leveraging Your Network for Career Planning
58:07 - Concluding Thoughts on Continuous Development
skills #careerdevelopment #careercoaching #ai #futureofwork
With the pace of change, I never struggle to find topics for my weekly update, but this week may have been one of the hardest to winnow down the list. At the end of the day, I landed on four, and they ended up being a formidable mix of enthusiasm and disappointment.
Thanks as always to the community that sends potential topics and questions. Without further ado, here we go.
OpenAI Adult Content - With many topics, I can highlight pros and cons and find opportunities even with the most difficult situations. OpenAI announcing it will be exploring the possibility of opening its technology for use in creating adult content is not one of those situations. I am extremely discouraged, concerned, and disheartened to see one of the biggest players in the space already considering the use of its technology for this purpose.
UHC Massive Hack - The good news? Ummm....2/3's of Americans may not have been affected by the ransomware attack on United Healthcare? With our personal and healthcare data being more valuable than gold, it's tragic when a hack of this magnitude occurs. However, it shines a light on how important even basic security measures by every individual can be. Not only could it have potentially prevented the event, but it would dramatically decrease the negative impact.
Med-Gemini & Alphafold 3 - On a much brighter note, there have been two major announcements from the Googlesphere that have major implications on the advancement of healthcare. Med-Gemini has the potential to radically transform diagnostics, healthcare operations, and the quality of patient care. Alphafold 3 has the potential to not only radically compress timelines for treatments but open doors to solving formerly impossible challenges.
Job Satisfaction Data - A recent survey shows nearly 63% of employees are "satisfied," but what dose that really mean? While it's an encouragement to much of the doom and gloom media about the state of employment, a deeper dive into the data highlights there remains significant room for improvement. Add to that, it's clear that certain segments of the population are more satisfied than others.
Show Notes:
This week's episode provides a weekly update of the biggest happenings, the first is exploring significant concerns regarding OpenAI's venture into generating adult content with its generative AI technology. Christopher expresses deep apprehension about the moral and societal implications of augmenting such content with AI, emphasizing the negative impacts on human dignity and relationships. The discussion shifts to the recent hack of UnitedHealthcare, impacting one-third of the U.S. population, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity measures like multi-factor authentication. The episode also covers advancements in AI-driven healthcare solutions through Google's MedGemini and AlphaFold3, illustrating their potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment. Lastly, it delves into workplace satisfaction, referencing a significant study that reveals the highest satisfaction rates since 1987 but notes discrepancies in the data. The discussion emphasizes the value of leadership quality and organizational culture over compensation in employee satisfaction, with hybrid work environments showing promising engagement levels.
00:00 - Welcome to the Future Focused Weekly Update
01:21 - The Controversy of Open AI in Adult Content
03:19 - The Ethical Dilemmas and Societal Impacts of AI-Generated Adult Content
19:29 - Personal Stories and the Call for Action Against AI in Adult Media
23:06 - The UnitedHealthcare Hack: A Wake-Up Call for Digital Security
28:05 - Understanding HIPAA and Protecting Your Health Data
30:39 - Google's MedGemini and Alpha Fold 3: AI's Role in Healthcare
46:13 - Employee Satisfaction: Insights and Analysis
ai #ransomware #healthcare #employeeexperience #futureofwork
Despite what skeptics may say, XR Tech, better known as spatial computing, isn't going anywhere.
This week, I'm talking with Sven Brunner of Sphere to explore the transformative impact artificial intelligence (AI) is having on extended reality (XR). We'll be discussing how AI can address XR's content challenges by providing greater context and enhancing user experiences.
We'll also connect the dots on where XR fits in the future of work and how it can create new opportunities and efficiencies.
Show Notes:
In the episode, Christopher explores the intersection of Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With insights from Sven Bruner of Sphere, the discussion explores how XR and AI work together to address each other's challenges, offering enhancements in manufacturing and healthcare, among other fields. It covers the historical context of technology replacing older jobs while creating new opportunities, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technological advancements with optimism. The conversation also highlights the significance of regulatory measures for AI, the dynamic changes in employment due to technological progress, and the potential for these technologies to transcend traditional limitations, making way for unprecedented possibilities.
00:00 - Introduction
01:16 - Sven Bruner: A Journey from Switzerland to Silicon Valley
04:43 - The Evolution of XR: From HoloLens to Spatial Computing
11:53 - From ChatGPT to Purpose-Driven Technology
29:07 - Integrating AI with XR for Real-World Solutions
33:25 - Addressing the Fear of Job Loss with AI Integration
36:30 - The Global Challenge of Skilled Technician Shortages
41:05 - Crossing Language and Cultural Barriers with AI
44:38 - AI and XR Creating New Opportunities
48:23 - The Role of AI in Training and Knowledge Transfer
56:47 - AI and XR: A Synergy Solving Each Other's Limitations
01:00:18 - Embracing Technological Advancements for a Better Future
ai #spacialcomputing #xr #futureofwork #skills
Hey there! Congratulations on making it through another week, and what a week it has been. I continue to be surprised by just how much comes up over the course of seven days and this week is no exception.Thanks to the community for your active engagement and participation in these episodes. It's one of my favorite things. And, if this if your first time listening and you have a question or topic you'd like me to cover, send it on over. With that, here's what's up this week.The End is Near? - I'll admit it's creepy when a humanoid robot responds to your question with "be careful what you wish for" and "that will keep you up at night." However, it may be far less surprising of a response than the headlines want you to believe when you really break it down. That said, there are some underlying concerns we shouldn't ignore.Bye-Bye Offices! - That office real estate with an ocean view feels a lot less luxurious when you can't seem to get anybody to show up to it. Unfortunately, while this reality has big tech companies re-evaluating where they build their offices, it's still not getting through that maybe the office itself is the problem.I Didn't Do It! - There's nothing worse than being accused of something terrible that you didn't do. It's even worse when someone tries to prove it with fabricated evidence. While a thing of popular crime media, I think we're going to see a lot more of it as AI deepfakes make it easier and easier to create compelling "evidence" for things that never happened, and the tragedy with the Baltimore principal is just one tragic example. AI Gene Therapy - Why stop at AI fabricating media when it can play a leading role in fabricating your DNA sequences? What could possibly go wrong? In all seriousness, while it's actually a perfect AI use-case for improving health outcomes, there are some legitimate concerns we all should be taking into consideration when it comes to AI + Health advancements.Show Notes:This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings at the intersection of technology, business, and human experience. Christopher discusses the misconceptions and hype surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly focusing on notable incidents involving humanoid robots and AI bots on social media, and the misunderstandings about AI's capabilities and potential sentience. Additionally, the dialogue touches on the role of big tech companies in the evolution of office spaces in response to economic pressures and changing work cultures. Another significant topic covered is the ethical, social, and technological implications of deepfake technology, illustrated through a real-life example where deepfake audio caused significant harm, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and skepticism in the digital age. Lastly, the discussion moves to the potential and challenges of combining AI with gene therapy, stressing the need for careful consideration of unintended consequences, the risk of overconfidence, and the socio-economic divides that such advancements might exacerbate. Overall, it is a call for mindful progress in technology, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, ethical considerations, and the impact of technological advancements on society.00:00 - Introduction 02:05 - Exploring the Hype and Reality of AI Capabilities04:29 - The Misconceptions and Realities of Generative AI12:42 - Big Tech's Office Space Strategy and the Future of Work19:59 - The Dangers of Deepfake Technology and Misinformation28:50 - AI and Gene Therapy: Innovations and Ethical Considerations40:29 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement#ai #deepfake #genetherapy #remotework #generativeai
What is the future of work in an AI-dominated world, and how will economies adapt and change?
This week I'm talking with economist Bill Connerly to explore the intricate balance between technological advancement and economic stability, job creation, and the shifting landscape of employment. We'll unpack the complexities of AI's role in shaping industries, questioning the balance between innovation and the displacement of traditional jobs.
This discussion isn't just about predicting the future; it's about understanding the steps we can take today to prepare for a tomorrow where technology and human ambition coexist harmoniously. You'll be challenged to think beyond the immediate impacts of AI, considering broader economic implications and opportunities for personal and professional growth in a future that seems increasingly automated.
I hope this conversation will provide you with a clearer vision of where the world is heading and how technological advancements could reshape not just the economy but the very fabric of society.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher is joined by economist and consultant Bill Connerly to discuss the current economic climate, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in business, and the future of work. They explore how AI is affecting customer experience and operational efficiencies, emphasizing the importance of adapting and prioritizing based on organizational mission and principles. The conversation acknowledges the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, including job disruption and the need for a continuous learning and adaptation mindset in the workforce. Despite the rapid advancements in technology, the dialogue reassures listeners that economic fundamentals remain consistent, and the economy's resilience is stronger than perceived. The episode aims to demystify fears around AI and economic changes, highlighting that, with strategic consideration and adherence to core values, businesses and individuals can navigate the uncertainties of the future.
00:00 - Introduction
03:17 - The Value of Economic Insight for Business Leaders
05:32 - Navigating Economic Uncertainty and Decision Making
09:16 - Consistency and Change in Economic Factors
22:41 - The Impact of AI on Business and the Economy
30:07 - Exploring the Practical Use of AI and ChatGPT in the Workplace
31:08 - The Challenge of Integrating AI into Corporate Strategies
33:48 - AI's Role in Streamlining Jobs and Enhancing Efficiency
39:09 - Economic Perspectives on AI and the Future of Work
49:34 - Adapting to AI: The Need for Flexibility and an Entrepreneurial Mindset
57:04 - Strategic Implementation of AI: Balancing Innovation with Core Values
economics #ai #futureofwork #change #economy
Congratulations on making it to the end of another week. To celebrate this milestone, I've got another round of updates for you on what's happening at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience. As always, thanks to the community of you who contribute to the list.
Samsung 6-Day Workweek - Despite the EU's extensive data on the success of a 4-day workweek, Samsung is opting to experiment with effort in the opposite direction. As they wrestle through some business challenges, they recently mandatory 6-day weeks for their execs. While there's a lot to unpack here, I have a sneaking suspicion they won't get the results they're hoping for.
Meta Llama 3 - While Winamp was known for whipping Llamas, this week Meta's Llama 3 hit back like a truck. If you haven't heard, Meta is making waves in the GenAI news with their recent release of Llama 3. While their earnings may have dampened some of the energy, this release is impressive. And, it's not just benchmarks that had their hair blown back. Humans are equally impressed.
Google Gemini Agents—The AI agents are coming! Google made some big announcements at this year's Google Cloud Next event, and one of them was their advancement in AI agents. While I don't see it as the human labor ender that some do, the days of being frustrated with a chatbot that can't answer any of the real questions you have or do anything, even if it does, may soon be behind us.
Anthropic AI Persuasiveness Research - If you're confident you won't be influenced by AI, think again. While I'd still argue AI itself isn't persuasive, the data is clear that it's reaching a point where its ability to create persuasive content is at and soon surprising the average person. This is especially concerning as we think about the rapid rise of misinformation and deepfakes. Here's a teaser for you, the best defense isn't a technological solution.
And with that, have a wonderful weekend.
Show Notes:
In this episode, Christopher discusses various topical themes related to technology, AI, and workplace culture. He begins by addressing Samsung's new mandate for executives to work six days a week, voicing concerns about burnout and the effectiveness of such practices in a time of economic uncertainty. Lind then explores Meta's launch of Llama 3, an AI model which impresses with its abilities in image generation and language processing, and hints at the potential shifts in the AI landscape. The conversation shifts to Google's advancements in AI agents, pointing to a future where these agents could significantly impact professional and consumer interactions through their advanced problem-solving capabilities. Lastly, Lind delves into a study by Anthropic on AI persuasiveness, warning of the potential risks and emphasizing the need for deeply held beliefs to navigate the complexities and deceits possible in the age of artificial intelligence. Throughout, Lind advocates for careful consideration of how technology is advancing and its implications for human work, experience, and ethics.
00:00 - Welcome to the Future Focused Weekly Update
01:49 - The Samsung Six-Day Work Week Controversy
09:32 - Meta's Leap Forward in Generative AI with Llama 3
16:54 - Google's Game-Changing AI Agents
27:17 The Persuasive Power of AI: A Deep Dive
35:51 Closing Thoughts on Truth in the Age of AI
samsung #genai #influence #chatbot #ai
Where do we draw the line on holding tightly to the core things that make us who we are while letting go of things anchoring us to complacency?
This week, I'm diving into the world of innovation and self-reinvention with a special focus on the shadow AI casts over our personal and professional landscapes. To do this, I'm joined by industry leader and thinker Sid Mohasseb to have a conversation about the necessity of reinventing ourselves in the face of AI's transformative power.
We'll be shedding light on how we can not just survive but thrive by embracing change and leveraging AI to our advantage. We'll tackle the real strategies for innovation, the importance of a growth mindset, and the indispensable value of human creativity and resilience in an increasingly automated world.
No jargon, no buzzwords – just straight talk on navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by AI. Whether you're looking to lead the way or find your path in this new era, this conversation aims to equip you with the insights and inspiration to innovate rather than stagnate.
Show Notes:
In this discussion, Christopher engages with Sid Mohasab, renowned as the entrepreneur philosopher, to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of work. Sid shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to the US at 16 to becoming an influential figure in entrepreneurship and innovation, highlighting the importance of mindset, embracing change, and the power of making intentional choices. They dig into how AI and automation are reshaping the professional world and the concept of nervousness as a catalyst for growth. Through personal anecdotes and a philosophical lens, this conversation urges listeners to rethink their relationship with change, advocating for a proactive approach to life and career in the face of uncertainty.
00:00 - Introduction
01:29 - Sid Mohasab's Journey: From Immigrant to Entrepreneur Philosopher
07:50 - Defining Entrepreneurship and Embracing Change
15:30 - The Role of AI in Shaping Our Future: A Discussion
21:38 - Overcoming Challenges and Leveraging AI for Growth
27:52 - Reinventing Yourself in the Age of AI
30:31 - Rethinking the 'Thinking Outside the Box' Metaphor
31:08 - Embracing Change and the Power of Choice
31:47 - The Impact of AI on Creativity and Work
32:31 - Navigating the Fast Lane: Cars, Bikes, and Life Choices
51:55 - The Value of Discomfort and Nervousness in Growth
54:57 - Experimentation: The Key to Breaking Boundaries
01:00:20 - Living in the Present: Making Choices for Tomorrow
change #ai #artificialintelligence #business #futureofwork
It's been another wild week at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. The pace of change is showing no signs of slowing, and this week's updates highlight why that can be both a great and a not-so-great thing.
Apple Robotics - Following its announcement to shut down investment into automotive, it has set its sights on personal robotics. While it's still too early to know exactly what Apple means by "personal robotics," there's no shortage of speculation. However, if you're thinking Rosy the Robot will be serving you dinner by 2025, you might want to slow your roll.
Top Skill of The Future - Autodesk did a recent and robust survey across a diverse spectrum of industries to assess the impact of AI on employees, and its findings were both encouraging and not completely surprising. The top skill for professionals was almost universally one's ability to work with AI. The encouraging news there is the word "with." The survey highlights how the future is continuing to show a tight partnership between humans and machines, not a replacement of one by the other.
AI-Generated Cinema - TCL is launching what it claims to be the first AI-generated romance film this summer. If the trailer is any indication of what we can expect to see, you won't need to buy your tickets in advance. You'll likely also have plenty of room to put up your feet, lean back, and store snacks in the seats around you. That said, people are already following AI influencers, so who knows, it may be the smash hit of the summer.
Data on Hiring Bias - The data is back on what may have been one of the most extensive studies on hiring bias, and it's an encouraging milestone while highlighting we still have room to grow. While there remains notable bias in selecting candidates, it's not as widespread as you may think. Granted, this shouldn't have us taking our eye off the target, but it's an encouraging milestone in our journey toward more equitable work.
All-Terrain Exoskeletons - If you've weaseled your way out of a mountain hike or backpack adventure due to bad knees or being out of shape, you might want to start noodling on some new excuses. DNSYS is launching an all-terrain exoskeleton for under a grand with a 15-18 mile range that might put scaling Everest back on your bucket list.
Show Notes:
This episode delves into a variety of future-focused topics, starting with Apple's shift from car production to personal robotics, examining both the opportunities and challenges this presents. It discusses the fast-paced advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its integration into different industries, noting Apple's strategic position in the AI landscape. The conversation moves to the concept of personal robotics, exploring the potential and current limitations of such technology in everyday life. Additionally, the episode covers a recent report on the top skills for the future, emphasizing the importance of working with AI, alongside a critique of an AI-generated movie, questioning its quality and impact. The discourse also addresses a study on hiring bias, revealing a preference for white candidates in some companies, and concludes with an overview of an innovative all-terrain exoskeleton device designed to enhance human mobility and strength.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
02:01 The Evolution of Apple: From iCars to Personal Robotics
10:12 Mastering AI: The Essential Skill for Future Success
17:04 AI in Entertainment: The First AI-Generated Movie
24:50 Addressing Hiring Bias: Insights and Progress
34:35 Innovations in Mobility: The All-Terrain Exoskeleton
39:52 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
ai #skills #hiring #apple #robotics
With video representing a media specifically designed to represent a view into reality, what role does AI play in its creation?
This week, I'm digging into that question with Alex Uspenskyi, Founder of Elai.io, to peel back the layers of AI's role in video production. We'll be talking about why AI is at the front of video tech, sharing how simple text prompts are transforming into full-blown, eye-catching videos.
We're getting real about what this tech revolution means for creativity, diving into the heart of the debate: Can AI preserve the soul of storytelling? We'll dissect the balance between leveraging AI for innovation and ensuring the essence of human creativity isn't lost in translation.
We also tackle the ethics of AI in creative fields, pondering the fine line between efficiency and authenticity. From the implications for content creators to the broader societal impacts, this chat's about more than just tech—it's about navigating the exciting yet daunting world AI presents to the creative industry.
Join us as we explore the potential of AI to redefine storytelling and confront the challenges of keeping our human touch in a digital-dominated age.
Show Notes:
This conversation explores the advancements and practical applications of AI in content creation, focusing on AI's role in transforming learning and educational content within organizations. The discussion delves into how AI facilitates the generation of engaging, accessible, and customized content. It highlights the journey from traditional learning materials to AI-generated videos, touching on real-time avatars and interactive AI agents. The conversation also addresses the adoption curve of AI technology, emphasizing its potential to enhance creativity and efficiency in content creation.
00:00 - Welcome to Future Focused: AI for Content Creation
01:24 - Introducing Alec Uspenskyi: From Engineering to AI Video Generation
01:58 - The Evolution of AI in Content Creation
17:43 - Exploring the Capabilities of AI in Voice Cloning and Video Generation
24:56 - Navigating the Ethical Landscape of AI Voice and Video Cloning
31:26 - Exploring Video Avatars and Lip Sync Technology
33:05 - The Evolution of Avatar Technology
34:06 - The Rise of AI Influencers and Content Authenticity
35:30 - Navigating the AI Content Creation Landscape on YouTube
40:13 - The Future of Learning and Educational Content with AI
47:01 - Real-Time Avatars and Interactive Learning Experiences
50:51 - Market Adoption and the Future of AI in Content Creation
57:44 - Reflecting on AI's Role in Enhancing Creativity and Content Production
Congratulations! You've made it through another week, and what a week it's been. To celebrate, here's another round of updates on the latest happenings at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience.
As always, thanks to those of you who contributed topics and articles!
AI Influencers - What if that catchy TikTok of Jenny sitting in her car telling you how much she loves AG1 never really happened? Well, you may ask to see her birth certificate before you sign up for a monthly subscription. AI is coming for influencers, and I'm still trying to decide whether their followers don't know or don't care.
Paid Commuting - More people are willing to return to the office....so long as they get a nice check to cover the expense. Employees have found a new way to push back against employers demanding them come to the office to take their Zoom meetings by pressing on the financial nerve. Despite my distaste for forced RTO, I think this path creates more problems than it solves.
Tesla RoboTaxi—I can't wait to schedule an autonomous ride just to see AI try to navigate our driveway, and according to Elon, I won't have to wait long. He's on record claiming robotaxis will be dominating the streets as soon as August of this year. Analysts disagree, but I guess we'll see if he lives up to his sterling track record of predictions.
AI Ends Human Labor - As if we don't have enough apocalyptic news, Open AI board member Larry Summers stated publically he anticipates AI will eliminate humans from all labor in the future. While I fundamentally disagree, Larry is hitting on some truth about some of the significant short-term economic risks that will come to fruition if we're not careful.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
1:25 - AI Influencers
10:41 - Paid Return-to-Office
18:34 - Tesla Robotaxi
26:40 - End of Human Labor
Are we the masters of technology, or have we become its unwitting servants? Furthermore, what risks are we exposing ourselves to as we become exponentially connected?
This week, I'm exploring the heart of our modern dilemma: the pervasive overreliance on technology and the risks of constant connection. As we navigate through the digital age, the fine line between leveraging technology for our benefit and being ensnared by it becomes increasingly blurred.
To help me navigate the dialogue, I'll be joined by cybersecurity expert David Adeoye Abodunrin. We dig into the exponential rise of connectedness and how our focus on security has not kept pace. You'll learn how this seemingly innocuous problem can have catastrophic consequences. It's not a matter of if you suffer the consequences but when.
That said, we wanted to do more than scare people straight. We laid out clear and actionable steps that will have a meaningful impact that doesn't include throwing away all your tech and moving off the grid. There's no escaping the exponentially rising tech in the air, but we can learn how to safely swim in it.
So, join us as we dissect the intricate web of digital dependence and discuss actionable strategies to reclaim our autonomy, enhance our real-world interactions, and find a harmonious balance in a tech-saturated world. Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
8:21 - The Risks of Overdependence
19:25 - Importance of Cybersecurity Today & Tomorrow
30:24 - Vulnerabilities of Modern Connected Systems
41:06- Importance of Cyber Inclusion
44:20 - The Need for Media Awareness
52:58 - Addressing Diversity in Cybersecurity
March is in the rearview mirror and April is officially here. While some of this week's updates may sound like April Fool's topics, I promise they aren't. It's another wild and unpredictable week at the intersection of business, tech, and human experience.
As always, thanks to all of you who sent along links and topics. I wish I had enough time to cover them all.
And, without further ado, here's what's top of mind this first week of April.
$100B Stargate AGI - Can we stop with the sci-fi apocalyptic terminology already? It's not helping ease people's nerves. That said, Microsoft and OpenAI are aligned to spend an estimated 100 Billion dollars to build the data center required to continue the AGI race. People thought Sam Altman was nuts when he predicted $3 Trillion to see it all through. Not so crazy anymore, huh?
Death of DEI? - University of Florida made lots of headlines for their decision to eliminate DEI positions and appointments, and it's another trend I'm seeing where we seem to be going backwards. That said, I think there's more to the story and because I don't have all the details on the "why" and "what's next," my reaction is nuanced and complicated, as it so often is.
TikTok Troubles - "Because.....because....China!" isn't a terribly convincing argument for why we should be banning one of the top social media platforms from the US. It also doesn't help when companies doing the exact same thing are conveniently lining up behind the witch hunt. That said, I have some legitimate concerns as should you, but it's not limited to the Tok.
GenZ Mental Health Bots - I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry that one of the growing attempts to solve the mental health crisis, largely exacerbated by technology, is more technology. And look, I'm not saying there's zero potential, but unless our goal is more mental health issues and greater emotional fragility, a chatbot may not be the wisest go-to solution.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
1:42 - $100B Stargate AGI
9:03 - Death of DEI
19:00 - TikTok Troubles
27:19 - AI Chatbots for Mental Health
Can leaders truly balance the drive for high performance with the human need for purpose and connection in the workplace?
This week I'm talking with Nick Hobson, a PhD and Managing Director of North America for Influence at Work. We delve into the intricacies of behavioral science and its practical applications in the workplace.
It's a discussion on the evolution of work and the human desire for purpose, autonomy, and collaboration, a deep dive into understanding human behavior and motivation.
A key theme is the research and science behind paradoxical leadership, balancing people and performance, and the necessity of self-awareness and reflection for leaders. This puts to bed the false dichotomy between focusing on people or performance, advocating for a both-and approach to leadership.
Our conversation also touches on the research-backed benefits of diverse and inclusive teams, the power of pausing to gain perspective, and the potential of experimentation within organizations.
This conversation will be valuable for any leader seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce balancing both satisfaction and productivity.
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
14:37 - Rise of Behavioral Science
19:12 - Evolution of Work & Human Behavior
27:12 - False Dichotomy of Performance & People
34:16 - Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivators
45:21 - Balancing Performance & People
52:04 - The Power of Pause
1:04:09 - Importance of Experimentation
Dropping this week's update a day early, but that's not due to a lack of content. In fact, there was so much to say on this week's updates that I pushed a couple to next week. As always, thanks to those of you who pass things along. I sincerely appreciate hearing from you.And with that, here are some of the latest happenings at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience.Nueralink Patient Plays Chess - "The Force" is no longer limited to Obi Wan and Luke, which may be a little terrifying when considering what happened when it was used by the Dark Lord. Jokes aside, there continues to be exponential progress with the merging of humans and machines, but what are we not considering?Pay Transparency Backlash - Mandating pay ranges be made publically available. What could possibly go wrong? I guess it depends on your definition of "going wrong," but let's just say there's no shortage of chaos recently. It's a complicated situation and unfortunately oversimplified solutions rarely work well for the complex.Deathbot Research Findings - Grief isn't easy to deal with, so maybe throwing AI at it will fix it? The research is coming out, and it's not looking good for AI. However, I anticipate that won't stop the exponential growth of an industry built around leveraging technology to deal with grief. Perhaps we consider a more robust solution.Show Notes:0:00 - Introduction2:07 - Mind-Control Chess14:15 - Pay Transparency Chaos27:36 - Deathbot Research Findings
How do you influence others in the digital age, especially when there is so much noise and distrust?
This week I'm exploring that question and more with Zenobia Godschalk, Head of Communications at Hedera. Together we explore the critical role storytelling plays in technology and everyday life. You'll learn why conveying the 'why' behind the tech is as important as the 'what,' especially in an era where trust in digital narratives is paramount.
With a unique background, Zenobia shares how her start as an aspiring journalist to tech communications expert, has highlighted the need for simplicity and human connection in tech storytelling.
Our conversation also touches on the challenges of establishing credibility and trust in a landscape where technology can fabricate extremely convincing falsehoods. All this emphasizing the importance of integrity in storytelling and the responsibility of both storytellers and consumers in discerning truth.
Whether you're a storyteller or story consumer, you'll want to check it out.
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
2:07 - Zenobia's Story
12:12 - Evolution of Tech Storytelling
21:21 - Role of Simplicity in Storytelling
27:43 - Building Trust through Authenticity
43:00 - The Power of Humanity in Storytelling
47:59 - Advice for Story Consumers
59:24 - Conclusion
It's been another wild week at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. While the headlines tell one story, the story under the surface seems to give indications of where things are heading. Needless to say, 2024 is on track to be a year to remember.
Thanks to those of you who shared things. Always enjoy connecting with the community.
Video Call Gaff - It's disruptive when tech tools roll out an update and you discover it at an unfortunate time. Apple is catching some major flack because of its OS update, which was designed to humanize video calls. Candidly, I think we'd all benefit from lightening up. Life is too short.
Chip Wars - I'm not talking about a summer picnic gone wild. There is an arms war with AI chipsets, and there are a lot of folks determined to make sure we don't hit another tech winter. Nvidia famously made headlines this week with Blackwell, but they're not the only player making waves. The government is looking to give Intel a boost.
Apple AI - Almost as headline-worthy as Jim and Pam finally getting together, Apple and Google made headlines by possibly teaming up to bring GenAI to the iPhone. However, there's a lot more to the Apple AI story than meets the eye, and I predict it's an indication of where AI is going.
YouTube AI Tagging - The honor system has a place, but I'm not sure keeping people informed about AI-generated content is that place. That said, YouTube requiring creators to tag any content that incorporates AI-generated video is a start toward greater transparency.
Humanoid Robots - The Jetsons had Rosie in 2062, but we may not have to wait that long. The race for humanoid robots continues and the progress in 2024 alone is mindblowing. If you're working at Mercedes, you may even be able to sneak a selfie in on the shop floor.
Remote Work - Another disappointing week of backwards progress in the remote work world with Dell dropping a bomb that very well could land them in court. However, Tom Hunt is bucking the trend and letting his teams know he trusts them.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
2:28 - Video Call Gaff
6:07 - Chip Wars
14:38 - Apple AI
23:29 - YouTube AI Tagging
27:34 - Humanoid Robots
35:09 - Remote Work
Feeling like the world of work is spinning faster than you can keep up? You're not alone.
This week I'm cutting through the noise with Nick DeWilde, Co-Founder of Exec, to talk about what it really takes to keep your skills game strong in today's whirlwind of change.
I really appreciated his experience in the trenches, from scrappy startups to shaping the future of skill development. Together we cut straight to the point on the skills that matter most, how to learn them, and why being human is your trump card in a digital-first world.
We also explore the real deal on adapting, growing, and staying ahead without the buzzwords or the fluff. Whether you're leading the charge or charting your course, I hope this conversation helps you make sense of the madness and come out on top.
Show Notes:
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 10:30 - From Institutionalized Learning to Practical Skill Development
- 17:55 - The Role of Human-Centered Skills
- 25:20 - Personalization in Learning
- 32:10 - The Role of Technology
- 39:45 - Identifying and Developing Durable Skills
- 47:30 - The Evolving Role of Coaches
- 54:20 - Closing Thoughts
Congrats on making it through another week. Is it just me, or does that feel like an accomplishment by itself? To celebrate, I've got another round of updates on what's been happening at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience.
As always, thanks to everyone who has contributed to the running list.
And with that, here we go!
End of Remote Work? - Opening this week's on a spicy note. This one continues to leave me shaking my head. Despite the overwhelming data, many executive leaders seem set on forcing their employees into their familiar box. Check out why this one in particular gets me feisty.
GenZ & Millenial Loyalty - There's a rise in commentary discussing the dwindling loyalty of GenZ and Millenial employees, but they conveniently fail to tell the whole story. While it drives clicks and soothes execs struggling with dismal retention, I'd encourage people to considering the bigger picture.
AI vs. The Law - While tragic, it's not completely surprising to see an exponential rise in teens abusing AI to bully their peers. Kids do stupid stuff and often fail to consider the implications. Unfortunately, the lack of legal accountability seems to only be making matters worse.
AI Resurrection - If you could bring back a dead loved one with AI, would you do it? It may sound like science fiction, but there's a growing number of people who are going for it. I've got all sorts of mixed feelings here.
LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report - When the largest professional social platform in the world reports its findings on what's happening, it's worth paying attention. This week, LinkedIn reported its latest findings on what's happening in employee skill development, and it has implications for business leaders, learning professionals, and employees alike.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
2:00 - End of Remote Work?
8:26 - GenZ & Millenial Loyalty
15:33 - AI vs. The Law
21:50 - AI Resurrection
29:00 - LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report
In a world where the constant buzz of technology can overwhelm all our senses, how do we find clarity amid the chaos?
This week, I unpacked this question and more with Andrej Safundzic, Founder & CEO of Lumos. Together, we explored the jungle of digital overload, sharing stories, insights, and strategies to navigate through. Andrej brought his unique journey from edtech in East Africa to shaping the future of govtech, highlighting the transformative power of technology when harnessed correctly.
We also discussed the evolving landscape of IT, which has interesting connections to every professional role. This led to our focus on the critical role of adaptability in today's fast-paced world and how AI can be a tool for empowerment rather than a source of distraction.
Curious how you can turn the tide of tech overload into a force for positive change in your life? Check it out!
Show Notes:
- 00:00 - The Digital Deluge
- 06:45 - Charting the Course
- 12:30 - Philosophy of Risk
- 19:20 - The IT Evolution
- 27:50 - Adapting to Change
- 34:40 - AI as a Catalyst
- 42:15 - Overcoming App Overload
- 49:30 - Empowerment Through Technology
- 56:00 - Looking Ahead:
Another wild week of change at the intersection of business, technology, and human experience. This week has brought with it a number of new developments and changes that have a lot more to them than meets the eye.
Also, thanks to all of you who have sent things along to keep my agenda relevant to you. Always appreciate the engagement.
McDonald's Deepfake - A classic 80's dude smoking a cigarette while pounding a quarter-pounder may seem harmless enough, but the flurry of noise it created begs a deeper question. When does AI fabrication cross the line from harmless fun to harmful misinformation?
Anthropic Claude 3 - Will our AI subscriptions soon look like our streaming subs? The GenAI wars are in full swing as Anthropic drops their latest release, crushing the benchmarks of their competition. Should everyone jump on the bandwagon or will this become another Apple vs. Android / AMD vs. Nvidia debate. Time will tell.
AI Cracks Fusion - This update should light up your day, figuratively and possibly literally. AI has been trained to solve a huge problem in fusion power, tearing mode instabilities. Now, that may not mean much to you but it's an interesting development in both the clean energy and AI discussion.
Chief Ethics Officer - As if companies don't have enough C-suite execs, will 2024 be the year of the CEO2? While there's definitely value in a greater focus on ethics and morals as we move into an AI-drive world, is a new top exec at the table the right move? Maybe, maybe not.
AI > Humans - AI is more creative than humans, according to the University of Arkansas. Before you throw in the towel and prepare to submit to your machine overlords, you may want to read the fine print. While AI may have crushed it competition in some specific ways, that shouldn't be surprising and it doesn't mean AI beats humans in a head-to-head showdown....at least not yet.Show Notes:0:00 - Introduction1:25 - McDonald's Deepfake7:05 - Anthropic Claude 313:35 - AI Cracks Fusion Problem18:44 - Chief Ethics Officer24:32 - Humans vs. AI
Is sustainability the secret sauce to outperforming your rivals in business, or are we trapped by our narrow definition of what it really means?
This week I'm talking with Ricky Marton, Founder of Koru, to clearly define what sustainability means and debunk the myths that often leave people seeing it as a nice-to-have. And, we don't just talk; we reimagine the whole spectrum of sustainability.
As you'd expect, we talk about the role tech plays in sustainability and how it has the potential push your business not just towards a better future but also into a realm of innovation and efficiency like never before. However, getting it right means more than seeing tech as an easy button to a complex problem.
While there are no shortage of hurdles, we explore how looking beyond the conventional boundaries and challenges of sustainability can be the competitive edge you never knew you needed. Ready to turn what you thought you knew about sustainability on its head? Let's go!
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Sustainability and Technology
11:35 - Demystifying Sustainability
22:50 - The Intersection of Technology and Sustainable Business Practices
34:20 - Overcoming Misconceptions and Practical Steps Forward
45:40 - Technology as a Force for Sustainable Innovation
57:10 - Looking Ahead: The Future of Business and Sustainability
1:02:30 - Closing Reflections and Call to Action
I sometimes wonder if I'll ever get to the end of the week and go, "huh, there's nothing to talk about" but that won't be happening anytime soon. This week was a mix of humor and nervous laughter looking at what's happening at the intersection of tech, business, and human experience.
Five things made this list this week. (Special thanks to those of you who send stuff my way). Wonka Fiasco - Take a look, and you'll see...a world of pure disappointment. AI is a great tool for enhancing what you already can do relatively well, but it's not a magician as an event group discovered in Glasgow. It may be able to make some dynamic and wonderful marketing materials, but people don't respond well when the real experience falls flat.4-Day Work Week - There's been growing interest in the question of whether a 4-day work week could actually work. 61 companies in the UK committed to it and after over a year, it turns out it's netting some really positive results. So, should everyone jump on the bandwagon? Maybe not, but there's some interesting insight to take from the trail.
Apple EV - If you had your eyes set on buying an iSedan in the future, I hate to let you down. While many may not have even known Apple was exploring electric vehicles, they were....until this week. As they refocus their resources on GenAI, it's an indication that AI isn't going anywhere and will be the electricity or Internet of our day.
GenAI Gone Mad - How would you react if Gemini responded to your prompt for a picture of the founding fathers with a Black George Washington or a prompt for CoPilot to brainstorm was met with a demand to worship or face severe consequences? Probably not well, as many people did not. But what's really going on here? Should we build a bunker? I don't think so, but you'll have to hear why.
Robot Apocalypse - While we're probably fine with Skynet as a Texas Internet Provider, I'm guessing society isn't quite ready for robots to show up at your front door, especially if its AI is having a bad day like OpenAI's was last week. Well, they may show up much sooner than you realize. If you haven't heard of Figure.ai, they're making waves as all the big tech is throwing money at their humanoid robots. Maybe now we should build a bunker....or at least start making robot-friendly casseroles. Show Notes:0:00 - Introduction2:18 - Wonka Fiasco8:15 - 4-Day Work Week 15:00 - Apple Electric Vehicle18:04 - Generative AI Gone Mad29:38 - Robot Apocalypse#GenAI #Robotics #ai #artificialintelligence #futureofwork
How often do we take for granted the power of understanding every word we hear or read?
This week, I'm chatting with Anuja Dhawan from Dübverse to dive into how AI is making the world a more inclusive place through content accessibility. It's not just about reaching more people; it's about truly connecting with them, no matter where they are in the world.
For many of us, navigating content in English is a breeze, but imagine hitting a wall of text in a language you barely understand. This is the daily reality for countless individuals, impacting their work and their ability to engage with content that matters.
In the past, bridging this gap meant pouring endless hours and significant resources into translations, often with mixed results. Now, AI is shifting the landscape, making it simpler and more efficient to bring content to everyone, in a language they can understand.
This episode is more than a discussion; it's a practical look at how we're moving forward, breaking down barriers and making sure that when it comes to content, no one is left behind. So join us as we map out this journey towards a more inclusive world of content, powered by AI.
And, if you don't get a chance to listen to full episode, be sure to subscribe to the cliff-notes version on Substack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
00:00 - 05:00 - Introduction
05:01 - 15:00 - Understanding the Challenge
15:01 - 30:00 - AI to the Rescue
30:01 - 45:00 - The Human Experience in Digital Content
45:01 - 55:00 - Breaking Down Barriers
55:01 - 01:03:01 - Looking Ahead
A lot has happened since last week's update, with some major developments in tech. This is a clear indication that the pace of change is not slowing.
This week I've got five things that were brought to my attention this week. (Special thanks to those of you who send stuff my way).
End of Humanity - A listener shared an article about Eliezer Yudcowski's lastest predictions, suggesting humanity could end as early as 2 years from now. I don't adhere to the doomsday narrative; however, there is some wisdom in what's driving the prediction.
Nueralink Success? - The headlines are saying patients are now successfully controlling a computer with their minds. Regardless of how you feel about it, we're moving into a new age of people mixed with machines. This means you'll need to be prepared to make decisions on how far we're willing to go.
Air Canada Chatbot Chaos - "The AI Did it!" It was only a matter of time before AI did something a company didn't like and the solution was to throw it under the bus. However, the law isn't in favor of an AI scapegoat, which should be an encouragement for what's ahead.Open AI Sora - The progress in advanced AI content creation marches on, and if you haven't seen Sora's ability to turn a simple text prompt into an incredible, realistic video, check it out. However, it's not in everyone's hands and that's a good thing. Is society ready for what this brings? I don't think so.Risks to Flexible Working - As if proximity bias wasn't already a problem, the latest fears around AI may present some new and heightened risks to flexible working. While I hope I'm wrong on this one, it's a risk we should all be prepared to address.Show Notes:0:00 - Introduction2:09 - End of Humanity6:20 - Nueralink Success? 10:26 - Air Canada Chatbot Chaos17:06 - Open AI Sora23:15 - Risks to Flexible Working
Are we leveraging technology to its fullest potential when it comes to the learning and development of employees?
This week I'm releasing a special episode with Donald H. Taylor, Lead Researcher for the Global Sentiment Survey, in preparation for the release of the report.
In our conversation, we not only explore some of the key insights that come from the report but what they mean. As you can imagine, artificial intelligence plays a dominating role but perhaps not how you'd expect.
We discuss the rapidly evolving role of AI as well as what it means for employees and emerging professionals alike, connecting the changes we're seeing today to historical transformations like electricity and the smartphone. At a time when it feels like everything is changing, this may help calm the nerves of folks feeling justifiably overwhelmed.
Furthermore, we get into some of the challenges that lay ahead and what we can do to mitigate the risks associated with those challenges. Making these shifts will not only serve as a benefit to those looking to leverage technology but will also serve as a guiding light to staying relevant and valuable in an organization.
If you're curious how to navigate the rapidly changing of learning and technology, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
You can access the survey here: https://donaldhtaylor.co.uk/survey/
And, if you don't get a chance to listen to full episode, be sure to subscribe to the cliff-notes version on Substack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
*Show Notes***
0:00 - Introduction
03:45 - Introduction to Donald H. Taylor and the Global Sentiment Survey
12:17 - The Role of AI in L&D:
24:53 - Historical Transformations and Learning
37:08 - Successfully Navigating The Changes
49:32 - Addressing & Mitigating Challenges
58:26 - Looking Ahead
In a world currently flooded with daunting headlines about AI, I hope today's conversation will stand as a beacon of positive innovation. Can technology truly help someone overcome an overwhelming cognitive disorder? This week I'm sharing an inspiring conversation I had with Dr. Coral Hoh, the founder and inspirational leader behind Dysolve. Together we explore how, when used properly, AI is not just a tool of convenience but a transformative force in accessibility and equity, offering new hope for individuals with dyslexia and cognitive disorders. This episode isn't just about the mechanics of innovative echnology; it's a testament to the power of AI in radically transforming what as formerly impossible. Amidst the cacophony of AI skepticism, we shine a bright light on the potential for technology to dramatically enhance human capability and bring about a future where cognitive challenges are no longer barriers to success. Tune in for an uplifting journey into the future of education and neurodiversity.
And, if you don't get a chance to listen to full episode, be sure to subscribe to the cliff-notes version on Substack: https://christopherlind.substack.comShow Notes:00:00 - Introduction07:35 - Impact of Cognitive Disorders15:27 - Unpacking the Technology24:46 - Brain Plasticity and AI33:58 - The Importance of Empathy41:03 - Looking Ahead:
Staying future-focused in no easy task, especially with the pace of change, largely driven by advanced technology. This week is no exception, but hopefully this weekly update will help you stay ten steps ahead. Four things in particular came to my attention this week. (Special thanks to those of you who send stuff my way). Open AI Chipset? - Sam Altman is trying to rise 7 Trillion (yes, Trillion with a 7), so OpenAI can break its way into the chip (and I'm not talking doritos) industry. And, this move is more than just a diversifying the portfolio move.Is AI Driving Layoffs - It's a question on everyone's mind and all the news of companies going through round after round of layoffs isn't helping the situation. While AI has a role, it's probably not a simple as it is often presented.A BS in AI? - The new trend in higher education is to roll out new degree programs in the field of artificial intelligence. That's leaving many professionals and parents wondering if it's the right move to get ahead. You may want to listen to my response before filling out your FAFSA.LinkedIn In-Demand Skills - Despite all the hype around AI and technical capabilities, the skills companies are most in dire need of right now won't show up on the BS in AI curriculum. Does that mean we can just keep doing what we've always done and be fine? Not quite.
Show Notes0:00 - Introduction2:05 - OpenAI 7 Trillion Ask7:19 - AI Driving Layoffs14:52 - BS in AI?21:00 - LinkedIn In-Demand Skills
In a world rapidly changing in response to technology, how crucial is cross-generational collaboration in guiding the next generation through the labyrinth of the digital age?
This week I chatted with Ayush Prakash, a Gen Z author & podcast host from Montreal, to explore the vital role of cross-generational collaboration in equipping the next generations with AI and technology skills. Our conversation covers the challenges and opportunities this digital era presents, and how youth can navigate and harness these changes for their future.
We delve into the assumptions about Gen Z as digital natives, the profound impact of social media, and the necessity of guiding them in a world increasingly shaped by technology. We also discuss the importance of older generations' wisdom in complementing the adaptability and tech-savviness of the youth.
This episode is essential for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of the digital age and the collaborative efforts required to prepare future generations for success in a tech-driven world.
For a summary of the discussion, visit my SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
7:57 - The Misconceptions of Gen Z as Digital Natives
15:05 - The Impact of Social Media on Youth and Community Values
24:23 - Navigating Technological Changes and Their Psychological Effects
34:08 - The Role of Cross-Generational Collaboration in Tech Adaptation
42:04 - Addressing the Challenges of Identity and Self-Perception in the Digital Age
50:55 - Empowering Gen Z with AI and Tech Skills for a Better Future
1:02:42 - Inspiring a Healthy, Forward-Thinking Perspective in the Digital Era
There is a whole lot happening at the intersection of tech, business, and human experience this week, but there were a few things in particular that made it to the top of my list.
Foldable iPhones - Out of the four, this is the lightest in terms of topics. In short, Apple is looking to get into the foldable device space, which leaves this question on my mind. Why?
Google Bard is now Gemini - OpenAI is probably the most prominent generative AI name out there, but they aren't the only big dog. This week Google has done some major work on Bard. So much so, they've completely rebranded it to Gemini, and what they've done is a lot more than slap on a fancy new name.
Congress vs. Big Tech - We often don't consider the longer-term and less obvious repercussions of major changes, and social media is no exception. We didn't really know how powerful of a tool we were handing out to the massess when it hit the main stage, and now we're seeing some of the longer-term effects. The question everyone seems to want answered is "who's to blame" but perhaps that's the wrong question to be asking.
Meta AI Content Tagging - While we may not be able to stop people from creating fake content with AI, we can hopefully help them be more informed by making them aware it was produced by AI. However, it begs the question, what is truly generated by AI, and what is AI-assisted? We we move into age of mistrust, these are important questions that need to be answered.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
2:06 - Google Bard is Gemini
12:59 - Big Tech vs. Congress
22:00 - Meta AI Content Tagging
Will 2024 usher in a new era of learning through AI and simulations?
This week I'm talking with with Mike Vaughan, CEO of The Regis Group, to delve into how AI-driven simulations are reimagining the possibilities for skill development. We explore the transition from traditional knowledge architecture to immersive, AI-enhanced simulations, offering a hands-on approach to skill development.
In our conversation, we talk candidly about the evolution of simulations, highlighting the historical challenges while unpacking how tech has increased accessibility and cost-effectiveness, making them a viable option for a broad range of organizations. We also get into the nitty gritty AI's expanding role in personalizing learning experiences and preparing individuals for real-world scenarios.
But we got beyond just about the technology. We discuss the challenges professionals face in adapting to this new landscape, emphasizing the need for a mindset shift away from content and toward experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of education and work, where AI is not just an aid but a central player in the human development.
And, if you want to clif-notes version, visit my SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction
5:12 - Evolution and Accessibility of Simulations
19:23 - AI's Impact on Personalized Learning
31:10 - Challenges to Professional Mindset
39:02 - Integrating AI into Simulation
51:09 - Future of Education & Learning
This week I've got three topic for the weekly update. One comes directly from a listener/viewer, so keep them coming.
Remote Worker Promotion - Some disappointing news for remote workers. You're less statistically less likely to get promoted than your in office peers with the remote stigma standing strong. I've got some strong opinions on this one.
Job Loss to AI - Good news for employees. AI is still a less financially viable option than human workers. In fact, many companies that dove headfirst into robots and AI are now recognizing just how important people are.
Neuralink Implant in Humans - Don't expect to be controlling your smartphone or thermostat with your mind anytime soon, but this week we crossed a significant milestone in connecting humans to machines. What the future holds is going to be interesting.
Show Notes
0:00 - Introduction
2:22 - Remote Worker Promotion
8:46 - Job Loss to AI
16:02 - Neuralink Implanted in Human Brain
Are we on the brink of a narrative revolution in AI analytics? This week I had a conversation with Steve Wasick, Founder & CEO of infoSentience, where we explore the intersection of AI, storytelling, and data analytics. Unlike the conventional approach of large language models (LLMs) like GPT, we explored world of 'conceptual automata', a game-changing technology that redefines how we perceive and generate narratives from complex data sets.
We touched on the challenges that traditional LLMs face in maintaining accuracy and context, especially when dealing with large volumes of data. We also highlighted the unique flexibility and customization capabilities of conceptual automata, which allow for more accurate, interactive, and context-aware reporting – akin to having an intelligent, data-savvy journalist at your fingertips.
But, this wasn't just about the tech as is true with all my discussions. We hit on the future of AI in business, the ethics of AI-generated content, and most importantly, the irreplaceable value of the human element in interpreting and strategizing from AI-provided insights. For anyone intrigued by the potential of AI to transform not just how we analyze data but how we narrate and understand it, you'll want to check it out.
And, be sure to read the complete summary on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction AI in Reporting and Analytics
13:56 - InfoSentience's Unique AI Approach
28:09 - AI's Impact on the Role of Analysts
32:09 - Human Behavior and Psychology in Tech
38:15 - Adapting to Technological Shifts in Professional Roles
46:04 - Customization and Data Modeling in AI Solutions
50:16 - Content Creation and Transparency in AI
57:40 - Limitless Potential of AI in Business Intelligence
Productivity isn't just about doing more – it's about creating a life that's more purposeful, balanced, and fulfilling.
This week we're going beyond the ordinary, diving into the heart of true productivity. To navigate that with me, I'm joined by Brian Nelson-Palmer, the founder of Productivity Gladiator, who is committed to revolutionizing the productivity landscape in people's personal and professional lives.In our discussion, we'll explore strategies and life hacks, honed from years of experience and success. Brian brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his diverse background, including his roles as a fitness instructor and rock band drummer. This episode isn't just about ticking off tasks on a to-do list; it's about redefining what productivity means in your life.Together we'll explore the secrets of effective time management, how to achieve a harmonious work-life balance, and the practical steps you can take to enhance your everyday productivity. This won't just be about ticking off tasks on a to-do list; it is the key to redefining what productivity means in your life. I'm confident everyone will find something in here for them.
And, be sure to read the complete summary on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.comShow Notes 00:00 - Introduction08:45 - Brian's Journey to Productivity17:30 - Balancing Life and Productivity26:10 - Effective Planning Strategies34:55 - The Power of Saying 'No'43:20 - Leveraging Technology for Productivity52:35 - Closing Thoughts
This week there are four items top of mind on the weekly update. Three of the suggestions come from viewers/listeners, so keep them coming.
Employee Etiquette Training - That's right, as employees are coming back to the office, some employers aren't too keen on the habits they've picked up in the remote world. Naturally, the response is to send people to etiquette school. Wait, what?! Return to Work Craziness - The fanfare continues as companies go to great lengths trying to convince their employees the office is a wonderful place to be. However, are these comical, sometimes downright ridiculous efforts causing more damage than good?DEI on the Decline - A recent report shows hiring of DEI roles is down almost 50%, so should we conclude that DEI is no longer a priority? I think there's more to the story, but you'll have to check it out.Apple Vision Pro - Preorders are sold out, so should we expect to run into people on the street walking into streetlamps as they try and stay current on their favorite shows? Probably not, but what does this mean for XR tech?Show Notes
0:00 - Introduction2:06 - Employee Etiquette Training
7:33 - Return to Work Craziness
17:13 - DEI on the Decline
25:35 - Apple Vision Pro
Is best-in-class education a key pillar of your product strategy? If not, it should be.
This week I talked with Steven Cornwell, SVP of Customer Education Strategy at Gainsight, about the critical importance education plays in driving a successful product strategy. While often treated as an afterthought or nice to have, done right it has the capability to transform your business.
However, it's more than haphazardly scheduling some webinars, having your existing staff "train" people when they see fit, or populating a website with digital content. It's an intentional focus on understanding the customer's biggest challenges and architecting solutions that meet customers where they are rather than pulling them somewhere else.
While this opportunity area has room for improvement, there have been significant strides in the attention it receives from business leaders and advancement in technology designed to optimize the capability.
So, if you have any involvement in driving product or service strategy and are curious what the future holds, you'll want to check out our conversation.
And, be sure to read the complete summary on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction to Customer Education and Experience
6:18 - Evolution from Traditional Training to Digital Platforms
18:32 - The Future of Customer Experience and Education Integration
28:38 - Innovations and Challenges in the B2B Software Industry
39:57 - Expanding Career Opportunities in Customer Education
49:57 - The Role of AI in the Future of Learning and Education
57:43 - Closing Remarks and Future Outlook
This week is a slight divergence from the usual weekly update. Steven Bartlett recently had a conversation with Yuval Noah Harari on Diary of a CEO on the state and future of artificial intelligence.
You can find the original conversation here, but if you listen to my intro, I encourage discernment before consuming:
Yuval brought an interesting perspective as a historian, and after listening to the conversation, I wanted to share some of my thoughts and reactions to the dialogue.
Despite our different worldviews, there were many points of mutual agreement as well as wisdom and insight worth considering. At the same time, I felt there were a few missed opportunities to go deeper or provide an alternative point of view.
Finally, the discussion was rather heavy and esoteric, so I brought some practical and individual actions everyone could take without feeling overwhelmed by what is largely an inevitable future many have little influence over.
I'll be back next week with the usual commentary. I've had a few people share some topics already, so I've got the agenda lined up. However, if you have additional topics, feel free to send them along.
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introduction & Initial Reactions/Consideration
4:03 - Big Picture Highlights
5:04 - The Pace of Change
11:15 - Human & Tech Intersection - The Complexity of the Human Mind
16:02 - Will AI Take Free Will
21:32 - Forging Human Relationships
27:18 - The Pursuit of Amortality
34:40 - Exploitating of the Vulnerable
38:02 - AI Created Systems
44:32 - AI Impact on Jobs & Skills
52:30 - Practical Applications
59:45 - AI is not for Relationships
1:01:42 - Build Human Relationships
1:03:51 - Read You Bible
1:08:13 - Evaluate AI Promises Carefully
1:12:33 - Know Your Why
January 2024 is well on its way, and the pace of change isn't slowing any time soon. With the couple weeks off work, I had some added time to spend time researching and reflecting on some interesting and thought-provoking topics. Here's this week's update on the three that are top of mind for me.
AI in Job Applications - Ethical Considerations: Revisiting the growing trend of AI-assisted job applications and my reflections on the diverse public reactions. Is it fair to consider it "cheating" when using AI for job applications? Perhaps we need to reevaluate how we view technology's role in efficiency and effectiveness.
Advancements in Robotics - The Tesla Optimus Case Study: If you're not familiar with the Optimus project, you should be. It's quite the evolution of humanistic robotics. We are getting much closer to more human-like robots. I've got mixed feelings on the rapid progress and potential implications of these developments.
Transhumanism - The Future of Human Augmentation: That word means a lot of different things to lots of different people, so I'll define it and focus on the ethical and practical aspects of augmenting human capabilities with technology. From AI cochlear implants to Neuralink's brain-chip experiments, I'll touch on the potential benefits and risks of these innovations, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of ethical and moral dimensions.
Show Notes
0:00 - Introduction
2:20 - AI for Job Seekers
11:02 - Humanistic Robots
17:40 - The Onset of Transhumanism
What does it take to transform knowledge into actionable behavior change and how is technology changing that?
This week I dug into this with Chris Taylor, Founder & CEO of Actionable.co. Our conversation explores the intersection of technology, behavior, and learning, unraveling the intricacies of how behavioral analytics can not only measure but significantly enhance the transfer from knowledge to skill.
We deep dive into the critical difference between enjoyable experiences and those that fundamentally change behaviors. It also highlights the pivotal role of AI in analytics, which emerges as a beacon of hope, offering insights into individual and collective learning patterns and driving the evolution of sound practices.
But it's not just about technology. We also touch on the human elements - the challenges inherent in altering behaviors, the importance of setting clear, achievable objectives, and the need for a consultative approach that values incremental progress and empowers employees.
This episode is crucial listening for anyone invested in harnessing the power of knowledge to create real, measurable change in both personal and professional landscapes.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
00:00 - The Interplay of Technology and Behavior Change
10:26 - Misconceptions of Behavior Change and the Knowing-Doing Gap
20:08 - Technology’s Role in Enabling and Measuring Behavior Change
32:08 - Setting Clear Goals for Learning Programs
41:00 - Personalization in Learning and Behavior Change
50:38 - Data Analytics and AI in Learning: Present and Future
01:02:16 - Closing Thoughts: Harnessing Technology for Better Learning Outcomes
We are into the first week of January and there are already lots of exciting things to watch in 2024. This week's future-focused weekly update hits on three that are top of mind for me.
- AI's Dual Impact on Job Market: It's a complex world when you explore AI's role in job displacement and creation. There are conflicting reports and projections highlighting the need for cautious and discerning leadership in navigating AI's impact on employment. As leaders, we need to engage in open dialogues and proactive strategies to stay ahead in an era of uncertainty and disruption.
- Quantum Computing's Leap Forward: I hit the basics of quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize processing power. With predictions of quantum computing hitting the mainstream in 2024, we need to consider the implications for AI, pharmaceuticals, finance, and business optimization. When it lands, it will amplify technological advancements, posing exciting opportunities and new risks.
- The Power Crisis in Tech Advancement: We can't ignore the energy demands of rapidly advancing technologies like AI and quantum computing. It's easy to forget the significant electricity consumption by data centers and tech giants, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable power solutions. I'm optimistic given the developments in fusion energy, a potential game-changer for clean and efficient power generation, and the evolving landscape of renewable energy sources.
And, don't forget to share your thoughts. Also, if there are topics you're curious about, let me know. I'll continue sharing my thoughts in this rapid-fire addition to Future-Focused content. Have a great week!
Can a simple cough reveal the hidden story of your health? In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the groundbreaking intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare with my guest, Kitty Kolding, Co-Founder & CEO of RAIsonance.
Discover how AI is transforming a common human cough into a sophisticated diagnostic instrument. Kitty sheds light on the challenges, skepticism, and breakthroughs in integrating AI into the healthcare sector, and how this technology is increasing diagnostic efficiency and democratizing healthcare access globally.
This conversation is not just about technology; it's about a paradigm shift in healthcare – a leap towards more accessible, equitable, and personalized medical care. Whether you're a healthcare professional, tech enthusiast, or simply someone intrigued by the future of medicine, this episode offers crucial insights into how AI is reshaping our approach to disease diagnosis and management.
Show Notes:
00:00 - Journey to Innovation
20:06 - RAIsonance Unveiled
24:51 - Affordability and Accessibility
30:10 - AI and Disease Patterns
45:55 - Beyond Diagnosis
51:20 - Future of AI in Imaging
Lots of exciting things are happening, so this week's future-focused weekly update hits on three of the ones top of mind for me.
- The Rise of Dual Employment: Allegedly, there are more people working two full-time jobs, and organizations seem to be responding in unhelpful ways. Is remote work threatening employee loyalty and commitment? Does forcing them into the office help? Is it even a problem?
- Digital Twinning in Training and Operations: I'm excited about the rise in digital twinning, an innovative approach to creating digital replicas of real environments for training and operational excellence. I'll unpack how it's revolutionizing experiential learning and operational efficiency, enabling more focused experimentation and cost-effective solutions.
- From Generic to Custom AI Bots: As we embark on 2024, we're going to transition from generic generative AI to highly specialized AI bots. I'll share my initial thoughts on the potential and pitfalls of these customized solutions, emphasizing the need for cautious optimism and legal discernment in this rapidly evolving field.
And, don't forget to share your thoughts. Also, if there are topics you're curious about, let me know. I'll continue sharing my thoughts in this rapid-fire addition to Future-Focused content. Have a great week!
Is our education system truly preparing children for the rapidly evolving world of tomorrow? I sit down with Dr. Phil Hickman, CEO of PlaBook and innovator at the forefront of educational technology, to explore how AI is transforming the way we approach learning and reading proficiency.
We dive into the stark realities of current educational challenges, where a significant portion of children struggle with reading—a skill foundational to all future learning and success. We discuss how AI designed right can revolutionize reading education by not only enhancing the learning experience but also personalizing it, catering to the unique needs of each child.
From there we highlight the criticality of reading proficiency into the future of work and how skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving are becoming indispensable. We address the resistance to technological advancements in educational settings and how overcoming this resistance is key to equipping the next generation for a future filled with jobs that don't yet exist.
It's my final day before taking some much-needed time off work for the holidays, and it's got me a little spicy. You'll hear the spice as I talk through some of the latest things happening at the intersection of business, tech, and the human experience.Layoffs Right Before the Holidays: Layoffs are in the air, but are they really saving companies money? Furthermore, when it comes to timing, there's no good time, but could companies be more human-centered when they are the only option?CitiGroup Letting Employees WFH: We're almost four years post-pandemic and companies letting their office employees work from home is still making the news. AI Sniffing Out AI Use in Job Applicants: AI can be a really helpful way to identify and hire great candidates, but as expected, there's no shortage of foolish use. The latest is trying to sniff out candidates that "cheated" on their application with AI.And, don't forget to share your thoughts. Also, if there are topics you're curious about, let me know. I'll continue sharing my thoughts in this rapid-fire addition to Future-Focused content. Have a great week!*Show Notes*0:00 - Introduction1:05 - Layoffs Right Before the Holidays7:42 - CitiGroup Let's People WFH11:34 - AI Sniffing AI-use in Job Hunting
Are we truly prepared for the seismic shifts in the workplace that 2024 promises to bring?
This week I reconnected my good friend Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research and Advisory, to unpack some of the latest workplace data of 2023 and deconstruct how it fits into the evolving landscape of the modern workplace and the pivotal role of AI in shaping our professional futures.
We dove into the crucial gap between employer wellbeing initiatives and employee realities, the shifting dynamics of career mobility, and the impactful role of AI in reshaping leadership and talent acquisition.
This conversation is vital as we consider the nuances of employee engagement and the balance between AI efficiency and human leadership in the future of work. Listen in for an insightful discussion that offers valuable perspectives as we all prepare for navigating work in 2024 and beyond.
Show Notes:
00:00- Introduction and Key Research Findings
20:37 - AI in Leadership and Management
35:02 - Personalization and Workplace Belonging
45:20 - Leadership Selection and Development
54:12 - Career Mobility and Employee Preferences
1:01:50 - Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook
Have you heard the recent uproar surrounding Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated content and fictitious authors? As we stand at the crossroads of technology, business, and human integrity, this incident opens up Pandora's box of ethical questions and challenges in modern journalism.In this week's update, I'll navigate the complex layers of this scandal, exploring how AI is reshaping the landscape of content creation and the implications it has for authenticity and trust in media. I'll share my candid thoughts on the heart of this dilemma, where the lines between human creativity and machine intelligence blur. Your views, comments, and debates are welcome.
I had the chance to sit down with Peter Schroeder, Founder & CEO of Telzio, whose eclectic journey through media, music, and technology redefines the orthodox path to success in the tech industry. It showcases that the stereotype of people who end up thriving in tech is misleading.During our conversation, we delve into how a non-linear career trajectory, interlaced with the challenges of ADD, can cultivate a distinctive approach to innovation. Peter's insights demonstrate the potential to leverage personal experiences into professional strengths, offering a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship against industry titans and the rise of personalized communication technology. Check it out and discover how thinking outside the traditional career box can lead to groundbreaking advancements and a more humanized approach to tech.* Show Notes ***00:00 - Introduction10:30 - Tech Myths Uncovered20:15 - ADD & Tech Creativity30:00 - Tech’s Communication Future40:45 - Underdog Market Entry50:30 - Tech Personalization Trend59:10 - Disruption & Innovation
Are we on the brink of a new era in learning and development, one where artificial intelligence not only assists but fundamentally transforms how we grow and adapt? In this solo episode, I delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its profound implications for our professional and personal lives.
As AI takes on more technical tasks, the spotlight shifts to uniquely human skills like creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. I dissect how every professional must pivot from traditional methods of learning to leveraging AI to create more efficient, personalized learning experiences.
This episode is more than just an exploration of AI's role in learning and development. It's a call to action for continuous learning and adaptability in an age of unceasing technological advancements.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
16:01 - The Evolution and Impact of Generative AI
33:22 - From Content Creation to Analytics and Action
49:09 - Action Learning and Real-Time Feedback
01:00:26 - Technology to Watch in 2024
01:09:28 - Accepting AI as Inevitability
Are we on the brink of an AI-driven renaissance in business?
This is the question that resonated in my mind as I engaged with Gavin Lira, CEO and Founder of The Empathy Firm, this week. We dove deep into the transformative power of AI, exploring how it's not just reshaping our business operations but fundamentally altering our cultural landscapes.
Through the course of the dialogue, we unpacked the profound implications of AI in creation and business strategy. Gavin shared his insights and personal experiences with AI, demonstrating how it’s revolutionizing everything from crafting compelling narratives to scaling services unimaginable just a few years ago. We delved into the intricate dance of integrating AI into our businesses, balancing efficiency with the preservation of intellectual property, and nurturing a culture that doesn't just adapt to AI but thrives alongside it.
Together, we peeled back the layers of what it means to future-proof your business in an era where AI is no longer a distant possibility but an inevitability. This episode is more than just a discussion; it's a journey into the heart of business innovation, inviting you to reflect on the role of AI in your own professional landscape.
* Show Notes ***
0:00 - Introduction to AI in Business
11:36 - Embracing Change: AI's Role in Evolving Workplace Culture
20:19 - AI Creating and Solving Problems in Business Operations
39:40 - Practical Applications of AI in Business
53:10 - AI in Service-Based Businesses: Defensive vs. Offensive Strategy
1:04:41 - The Legal and Ethical Implications of AI Decision-Making
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the sanctity of data privacy and the intricacies of data security have become more than just buzzwords; they are pivotal elements that define the very core of our digital existence. I had the privilege of sitting down with JB Benjamin, CEO & Founder of Kryotech, to delve deep into the world of data defense.As we navigated through the complex maze of data security, JB Benjamin shared insights that challenge conventional thinking and shed light on the critical importance of protecting our digital footprint. This discussion isn't just a technical deep dive – it's a journey into understanding the multifaceted dimensions of data privacy, the ethical implications, and the unseen battles fought in the cybersphere every day.From exploring the latest advancements in cybersecurity to addressing the common misconceptions that surround data protection, our conversation ventured beyond the surface. It’s an exchange that unveils the hidden intricacies of digital security and the relentless pursuit of innovation in this domain.Join us in this captivating session as we unravel the complexities and master the art of data defense. It’s a conversation that promises to leave you more aware, more informed, and more prepared for the digital era ahead.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com* Show Notes *0:00 - From Quantum Physics to AI: The Journey Begins5:00 - The Creative Mind in Tech: Merging Art and AI12:00 - Unmasking Data Privacy: The Hidden Dangers28:00 - The Future of Leadership: AI at the Helm35:00 - Transforming Tech: A New Era of Data Privacy51:00 - Empowering Individuals: Simple Steps for Data Protection 1:00:00 - The Power of Choice and Critical Thinking1:05:00 - Concluding Thoughts: The Role of Individual Action
What happens when the worlds of artificial intelligence and local governance collide?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I sit down with Mayor Josh Penner to explore the transformative impact of AI in the public sector. We're not just talking tech jargon; we're delving into how AI is revolutionizing policy-making, community engagement, and operational efficiency in tangible, real-world ways.
Listen in as we discuss AI-driven solutions that are tackling urban challenges and reshaping citizen experiences. But the journey with AI isn't without its complexities. We navigate through the maze of ethical considerations and the critical balance between technology and governance.
And here's a twist – this episode isn't just for public servants. We uncover the surprising ways in which Josh's experiences with AI in local government have significant implications across various industries.
This conversation is a must-listen for any business professional seeking to understand the broader impact of AI. Discover why embracing AI is crucial in your industry and how it's shaping the future of professional landscapes.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction: Exploring AI's Impact on Governance
08:15 - AI in the Public Sphere: Challenges and Adaptations
18:30 - Ethical Implications and AI in Policy Making
29:45 - Transforming Workforce Dynamics with AI
39:10 - Leadership in the Age of AI: Navigating New Challenges
48:50 - The Future of AI in Local Government and Beyond
This is an unguarded and deeply personal episode as I engage in a profound conversation with Pete Sena, Founder & CEO of Digital Surgeons. Our dialogue traverses the unpredictable landscapes of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and the relentless pace of technological innovation.We delve into the heart of what it means to confront life's 'diapers and dumpster fires' – those unexpected, often chaotic moments that challenge our resilience and creativity. Pete shares his journey of navigating through the complexities of the tech world, underlining the importance of tenacity and the power of asking the right questions rather than having all the answers.This episode is more than just a conversation; it's a reflection on the trials and triumphs of our times. We discuss the impact of AI, the pressures of rapid success, and the pitfalls of chasing fleeting validation. Through our discussion, we uncover the essence of what it truly means to remain resilient amidst unprecedented change.Whether you’re an entrepreneur grappling with the fast-evolving business landscape, or someone seeking inspiration in these tumultuous times, this episode promises to offer valuable insights. Join us in this candid exploration and find solace, inspiration, and perhaps, a new perspective on navigating the complexities of our modern world.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com* Show Notes *00:00:00 - Setting the Stage for a Candid Conversation00:05:25 - Embracing Risk and Uncertainty00:15:40 - Adaptation in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape00:27:55 - Stories of Resilience and Adaptation00:39:10 - AI, Automation, and Human Creativity00:52:30 - The Intersection of Technology and Humanity
This week I had a profound and timely dialogue with the Ed Hess, renowned author and Professor Emeritus of Business dministration, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Together delved into the heart of what it means to thrive in the uncharted territory of our current AI revolution. Far from a technical how-to, our conversation uncovers the human-centric skills and practices that can lead us through the labyrinth of rapid technological change.
As we reflect on the tides of progress, Ed and I explore the paradoxical truth that the best tools for navigating an AI-dominated future have nothing to do with tech savvy but everything to do with mindfulness, gratitude, inner peace, and the power of human connection. We challenge the narrative of fear and overwhelm with actionable steps that promise not just to cope but to transform.
Imagine recalibrating your compass to not just survive but flourish in the AI era, turning the waves of disruption into a current that propels you forward. This discussion isn't just about what's coming; it's a call to arms for what's already here and how to harness it with intention and grace.
Join us for this journey where we don't just talk about change – we embrace it, we shape it, and we rise with it. Are you ready to rewire your mindset and innovate your spirit? Tune in and let's discover how to evolve not out of necessity, but out of the desire for a richer human experience in a digital world.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com
* Chapters ***0:00 - Introduction5:08 - The Coach That Changed Everything15:26 - Mitigating Confirmation Bias25:41 - Mindfulness As A Business Strategy31:18 - Intentionally Slowing Down43:05 - The Power of Questions50:23 - Control What You Can Control1:00:45 - Finding the Courage to Take Action
This week I reconnected with Josh Kamrath, the CEO over at Bongo, and we talked about the power of AI to revolutionize the way we understand, measure, and enhance individual competencies, and dug deep into the nitty-gritty of AI's capabilities to create a more holistic, accurate, and scalable method of gauging skills.
While highlighting the incredible potential, we didn't ignore some of the inherent risks we need to consider as we think about augmenting our processes and capabilities with AI. That also led to dialogue about the evolving role of a development professional and what it looks like to keep humans in the loop amidst the change.
At a time when accountability for meaningful and measurable skill development from business leaders and employees alike continues to rise, the conversation couldn't be more timely.
And, be sure to sign up for my Substack for the readers digest version: https://christopherlind.substack.com/
* Show Notes *0:00 - Introduction3:01 - Intro to Video-Based Assessment13:40 - Connecting Skills to Performance21:59 - Keeping Humans in the Loop30:51 - So Evolving Role of AI39:32 - Having a Seat at the Business Table49:09 - Making the Transition
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Rob Eschmann, Associate Professor at Columbia University and the esteemed author of "When the Hood Comes Off: Racism and Resistance in the Digital Era." Our discussion delved into the intricate intersections of technology, activism, and personal ideologies. We explored how technology is shedding light on the prevailing state of racism in society and the transformative role of social media in empowering grassroots movements for change. We also talked about the complexity and resistance to change, even when faced with new information or concrete data.I invite you to join us as we navigate the digital landscape and its positive impact on accountability for understanding diverse experiences. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.So, dive into our conversation and discover how the digital world is reshaping our understanding of race, identity, and activism.
And, be sure to read the summaries on SubStack: https://christopherlind.substack.com* Show Notes ***0:00 - Introduction6:07 - Understanding Racism in the Digital Era8:50 - The Role of Social Media in Unmasking Racism16:06 - The Future of Activism in the Digital Age37:22 - Aligning on the Definition of Racism43:52 - The Importance of Diverse Exposure55:28 - Democratizing Information Sharing1:04:27 - Exposure to Information Changes Behaviors
Taking a break from the usual monologue, this week I had the privilege of engaging in a profound conversation with the esteemed Kevin Surace a recognized Futurist and influential figure from Silicon Valley. If you aren't familiar with his name, you're certainly familiar with his work and likely use it daily.
Throughout our discussion, we delved into the intricate topic of artificial intelligence, its burgeoning role in our everyday lives, and the striking similarities to the early days of Excel in the finance sector. For those curious about the historical trajectory of technology and its impact on occupations – spanning from the invention of the wheel to the advent of ATMs – this conversation promises to enlighten. Additionally, we ventured into the complex terrain of human behavior and its intersection with technology.
I won't unveil all the insights here. Instead, I invite you to immerse yourself in our discussion, comprehend the impending future, and contemplate how we, collectively, can maneuver through the current wave of technological advancements. As always, it's essential to remember that beyond the machinery and algorithms, it's the human element that often matters most.
Read my top takeaways and reflections on this episode here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/christopherlind/p/ai-through-the-ages
* Show Notes *0:00 - Introduction1:18 - The Genesis of Digital Assistants10:17 - Deconstructing Human & AI Interaction22:51 - Technology is about Problem Solving32:04 - From AI to Soundproof Drywall & Windows43:05 - The History & Interworkings of AI-Language Models56:42 - The Real Secret to a Leading LLM1:02:18 - Using AI to Improve Human Skills1:16:52 - The Impact of AI to Jobs & Work
This week I chatted with a long-time friend and fellow Chief Learning Officer alumni and our conversation did not disappoint. We brought our shared experiences together to share insights, reflections, and some behind-the-scenes tales from our time in the trenches.
We delved into the art of building meaningful vendor partnerships and the criticality of staying perpetually curious in a fast-paced industry. Throughout the conversation, we tackled the nuances of strategic partnerships and how to truly be a business ally, not just a function. The depth of our discussion went beyond the traditional realms, touching on the broader implications of strategic decisions and the impact they have on businesses at large.
Whether you're in the heart of strategic decision-making or just passionate about driving impactful change in your organization, this conversation is a goldmine. Dive in for a fresh perspective, rich insights, and a dash of our combined experience. Trust me, you won't want to miss this deep dive. Tune in now!
Read my top takeaways and reflections on this episode here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/christopherlind/p/diary-of-a-chief-learning-officer* Show Notes *0:00 - Introduction3:01 - From Selling Credit Reports to Mcdonald's Executive16:14 - Avoiding Order Taking25:46 - From Objector to Advocate35:35 - Self Awareness & Proactivity to Mitigate Disruption42:51 - Changes in the Tech Landscape49:21 - Innovative Simplicity54:57 - Curiosity as a Strategic Skill
This week is another thought-provoking conversation with Laura Wells, the Founder and CEO of AwakeTeams. In our discussion we delved deep into the realm of soft skills and how they shape the workplace. We tackled some prevailing myths head-on: the notion that people's brains and capabilities are static and that soft skills can't be quantified or improved upon. Surprise, surprise – we busted those myths wide open! Our conversation also ventured into the symbiotic relationship between trust, communication, and collaboration. Plus, we touched on the fascinating interplay between interpersonal skills and the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace. To get the full spectrum of insights and the essence of our discussion, I invite you to watch the complete video. Join us and uncover the transformative power of evolving human connections in today's professional world.
Read my top takeaways and reflections on this episode here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/christopherlind/p/busting-soft-skills-myths* Show Notes *0:00 - Introduction2:07 - From Consumer Packaging to Brain Science7:21 - Demystifying Neuroplasticity12:54 - Transforming Soft Skills Training21:55 - New Learnings in Neuroscience32:52 - The Challenge of Behavior Change44:24 - The Connection to Employee Engagement54:47 - Overcoming Non-Believers
This week was an electrifying chat with Raj Jha, a true trailblazer in the XR/AI Simulation space. We dove deep into the transformative power of immersive tech, the future of experiential learning, and the incredible potential of generative AI. Remember when we used to debate desktop vs. mobile? Well, the game has changed, and we discussed some of the mind-bending insights on how to use the latest in tech to leapfrog analog methods.
But here's the thing: while we touched on the tech, it was the human element, the real-world challenges, and the potential for global impact that truly stood out. From teacher shortages to the quest for equity and access in education, we explored it all. And let me tell you, the future is brighter than you might think!
Curious about how AI might just be your new digital coach? Or how we can bridge the gap between traditional and immersive experiences? Well, you'll have to dive into the full video for those golden nuggets. Trust me, it's a conversation you won't want to miss. So, let's keep pushing the boundaries and reimagining the future of together!
Read my top takeaways and reflections on this episode here:
https://christopherlind.substack.com/p/unlocking-the-future-of-experience* Show Notes *0:00 - Introduction1:46 - From Automotive Simulations to Human Experience19:54 - The Effectiveness of Digital Simulation31:43 - The Adoption of Immersive Tech39:43 - The Intersection of AI & Immersive Tech45:10 - Addressing the Talent Shortage56:36 - Reskilling for Simulation
It's hard to believe it's been four years since the inception of Learning Tech Talks. To recognize the milestone, this conversation is a reflection on the transformative journey our world has been on over the past four years.
I delve into significant macro trends, the intriguing intersection of our digital advancements with the essence of human connection, and the pivotal role of personalization in today's tech landscape.
As we continue navigating the complexities of an AI-driven world, it's becoming increasingly clear the importance of maintaining human touchpoints.
I also highlight a number of key opportunities and offer insights into how to harness the power of technology while staying grounded in our human-centric values. So, if you aim to stay ahead of the curve and ensure relevance in the future, this discussion provides valuable perspectives.
Join me as we explore, learn, and chart the path forward.
*Show notes*
0:00 - Introduction
2:02 - The Continued Evolution of LTT
6:09 - Help Needed
7:24 - Macro Trends
18:02 - Macro Opportunities
31:31 - Skills
35:26 - Operational Excellence
39:24 - Virtual Experiences
47:07 - Adaptive Learning
54:36 - Learning in the Flow of Work
1:00:00 - Improvements to Content Creation
1:07:00 - Improving Accessibility
1:13:00 - Data Visualization & Measurement
1:18:47 - Conclusion
Is it possible for technology to make us fundamentally better at the things that make us uniquely human? It's a bit of a paradox but the potential of what's possible and what's already happening today will blow your mind.
In this Learning Tech Talks I'm chatting with Sophie Thompson, one of the brilliant minds behind VirtualSpeech, and let me tell you, it was enlightening. Her founder story sets the stage for why overcoming one of the most paralyzing human skills is so meaningful to her.
In our discussion, we delved deep into how the fusion of AI and VR is shifting many paradigms in the ways we approach soft skill development. Ever wondered how the virtual world stacks up against real-world interactions, especially when it comes to diverse personalities? Much closer than you realize, and we unpack why.
But what really caught my attention was an unexpected bonus of integrating AI into language learning - Sophie shared some remarkable insights that I believe are going to be game-changers for the continued globalization of everything we do.
The more we spoke, the clearer it became that the horizon of skill development is vast and incredibly promising. Curious about what the future holds? Jump into this conversation with us. The future of learning? It's unfolding right here.
*Show Notes*
0:00 - Introduction
1:55 - Overcoming Social Anxiety with Tech
11:22 - Building Confidence with Soft Skills
21:04 - Using VR Right
33:41 - The Impact of Generative AI
41:57 - The Advancement of Active Learning
54:07 - Making Accessibility Accessible
In week is a dynamic conversation with Jeremy Berman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Dream See Do, a company that's really challenging the norms in talent development and learning platforms.
We regularly talk about the need to shift our mindset from using technology as a tool to recognizing its power to transform the human experience. When it comes to corporate learning, it's about moving from 2D to 3D in the way we approach learning experiences.
At the core is a long-standing concept rooted in the art of growing and nurturing—whether it's a plant in a pot or a human in an organization. However, many struggle to grasp what getting it right means in the technological age. In the conversation, we didn't shy away from discussing in detail how technology and AI features can actually enhance human connection, not replace it. We unpack the beautiful synergy that comes from blending human intuition with technology.
We also delve into why this is all so important for entrepreneurs, leaders, and really, anyone who wants to transform their business. After all, talent strategy is business strategy.
So if you're curious about how to genuinely enrich human interactions through technology and take your talent development from 2D to 3D, you've got to check out this episode. I guarantee it will leave you with some serious food for thought.
Look forward to having you join the conversation. Until then, keep challenging the status quo!
*Show Notes*0:00 - Introduction1:44 - From Camp Counselor to Music Producer13:04 - Foray into Transforming Learning Experiences24:23 - Skill Development Lifecycle | from Idea to Execution35:04 - Moving from 2D to 3D42:49 - Change Requires more than Technology49:40 - The Challenge of Being Ahead of the Curve54:55 - AI Done Right
Is containment the only path to avoid AI completely destroying humanity? Is containment even possible? If so, what does this look like and how do we get there? This week, I'm responding to another thought-provokingdialogue from a recent Diary of a CEO between Steven Bartlett and Mustafa Suleyman.Having help co-found Google's DeepMind program, Mustafa has no shortage of experience and insight into the AI conversation. His perspective on the need to contain and the way we go about it was intriguing. It was interesting reflecting on his positions and identifying where we aligned and where we diverged.In this video, I respond to a lot of his seemingly Ecclesiastical perspective on embracing the wonder and terror that AI brings and the inevitability of both. I'd also highly encourage you to stick around until the end where I unpack Mustafa's recommendation his future children. While there was tremendous wisdom in it, it was incomplete. So, if you're trying to make sense of all that's happening in the world of AI but are interested in seeing it through a non-traditional set of eyes, check it out.And, if you found this video beneficial, check out more of my content and be sure to subscribe as I continue living life at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience.You can check out Steven's original DOAC conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTxnLsYHWuI
This week I'm back with an episode that's going to rock your world in terms of skill development and assessment. I sat down with Kian Katanforoosh, the Founder & CEO of Workera, and they are pioneering the future of how we understand, measure, and cultivate skills, all turbo-charged by AI.
Now, if you're still living in the dark ages of skill assessment—think multiple-choice tests and outdated metrics—you need to tune in. Kian and I dive deep into what he calls 'signature domains,' these incredibly well-calibrated assessments that provide a multi-faceted view into skill levels. Forget what you think you know about quizzes; we're talking about revolutionary changes that have been validated by psychometricians and backed by data.
But hold on, because it gets better. We're not just talking about testing for the sake of testing. This is about aligning skill development with your business objectives. If you've been wrestling with how to shift from being just a content provider to a strategic partner in your organization, this episode is your roadmap.
What about AI? Yep, we're going there too. Sometimes the talk around AI gets a little, let's say, dystopian, but we're keeping it real. We shed light on how to involve AI in your processes without losing the essential human touch.
I've got to tell you; we had so much to talk about that we barely scratched the surface. We were flooded with questions and topics, and we couldn't even get to all of them in the time we had. That's how rich this conversation was. So consider this a 'to be continued...' because Kian will be back for another round to tackle what we didn't get to cover this time.
So, are you curious yet? You should be. Make sure to subscribe, and don't forget to hit that notification bell. Trust me, you won't want to miss what we have coming up.
* Show Notes ***
0:00 - Introduction
4:27 - The Myth Of Measurement
10:42 - Deconstructing Skills
20:04 - Durable vs. Perishable Skills
29:22 - Reconstructing Skills (Demo)
40:29 - Assessing Skills
49:08 - The User Experience
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
This week I had an enriching conversation with JD Dillon, Chief Learning Officer at Axonify where we unpacked the complexity of how AI is revolutionizing the workspace, specifically for frontline workers.
We often hear about how AI is the future of business, but JD and I dive into why it's not merely a technological shift—it's a human one. For managers, HR professionals, and frontline employees alike, this discussion is filled with insights that will fundamentally alter how you think about AI in the workplace.
Have you reflected on how AI could make work more satisfying? We delve into some of the unlikely opportunities AI presents, like building a career ladder in the least expected roles. We highlight the necessity for adaptability and the benefits it brings to the workforce, opening up new avenues for job satisfaction and career growth.
Throughout our discussion, we mention buzzwords like 'upskilling', 'cross-skilling', and 'adaptive learning'. Rest assured, we don't just throw the terms around but delve into how these concepts can be integrated into a robust frontline talent strategy for a transformative impact.
So go ahead, click that play button and let's delve into this compelling topic. If you find this conversation valuable, please give us a like and don't forget to subscribe for more thought-provoking content.
* Show Notes ***
0:00 - Introduction
5:25 - Response to the AI Hype Cycle
13:25 - Involving Front-Liners in the Change
18:25 - What's Changing; What's the Same
36:22 - How AI Is Improving the Experience
48:43 - Transforming the Cashier Job
54:20 - Call to Executive Leadership
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Are successful people dealt a better hand than others, or is available to everyone? When it comes to success, who gets to define it, and what does its successful pursuit look like? This week, I'm responding to another powerful conversation between Steven Bartlett and Bozoma Saint John on The Diary of a CEO.
I so appreciated how Bozoma brought an unprecedented level of vulnerability throughout this conversation, where she shared both the wins and losses of her career journey. Her harrowing path would have left many giving up and achieving far less than she has.
In the video, I respond to and unpack some of the key themes like that it looks like to overcome adversity, how to build a successful career, demystify work/life harmony, and where we should look to find direction for the right path.
You'll want to stick around until the end where I challenge a consistent theme that may lead you down a road you won't realize is a wrong turn until it's too late.
So, whether you're early, mid, or late career, there's something in here for everyone.
And, if you found this video beneficial, check out more of my content and be sure to subscribe as I continue living life at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience.
Source "The Diary of A CEO" episode is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuVTVOdkmek
* Chapters ***
0:00 - Introduction 3:17 - Four Key Themes 7:35 - Being a Rising Phoenix 13:55 - Risks of Being a Chameleon 20:12 - Leadership Isn't a Title 24:51 - The Paradox of Control 35:28 - Radical Independence 40:58 - Every Voice Matters 49:17 - The Collateral Damage of Pain 55:41 - What Opportunities Are You Overlooking? 1:01:05 - Becoming A Parent as a Professional 1:09:49 - Empathizing with Others 1:15:04 - Happiness Comes from Within?! 1:21:47 - Learn from Others; Don't Copy Them
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
This week on I sat down with Jessie Pagliari, the genius behind Every Day Bliss Co., to delve into something that's been on my mind a lot lately—workplace wellness. While the buzz around this topic is often louder than a rock concert, how many of us are really digging in? Jessie and I took the gloves off and got real about what this means for you, your teams, and even your bottom line.
In this spirited chat, we first dive into the pitfalls of a one-size-fits-all approach to wellness programs. Trust me, the idea that "if you build it, they will come" doesn't hold water and you'll want to hear why. We also tackle the skepticism conundrum and delve into the million-dollar question—whose responsibility is workplace wellness anyway?
So, if you've ever wondered if wellness is just a corporate fad or something truly transformative, buckle up. This conversation is for you. We're 55 minutes deep and didn't even scratch the surface of everything we wanted to tackle.
Smash that 'play' button. Let's go on this journey together and disrupt the status quo of workplace wellness. And hey, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe. We've got a ton more conversations coming your way that you won't want to miss. See you on the other side!
* Show Notes ***
0:00 - Introduction
3:27 - The Impact of Wellness
13:30 - Where to Start
25:28 - Intentionally Making Space to Destress
39:58 - The Financial Cost of Ignoring the Problem
47:19 - Personalizing Your Wellness Strategy
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Was the release of ChatGPT and the subsequent generative AI models the beginning of the end for humanity? Should we be more concerned about the longer-term implications or the risks right around the corner? In this special episode, I'm responding to another thought-provoking dialogue from a recent Diary of a CEO between Steven Bartlett and Sam Harris.
Sam brought to the conversation a unique perspective, looking at the situation through the lens of a philosopher and neuroscientist rather than a technologist. Reflecting on the conversation, there were areas where, despite our differing worldviews, we aligned. However, there were also some specific areas where we diverged.
In the video I respond to some of the key themes such as the lack of direct connection between greater intelligence and greater ethics, the immediate threat of misinformation, the erosion of trust in society and the implications, what it really means to be human.
I'd also highly encourage you to stick around until the end where I unpack the richness of Sam's recommendation to every person for improving their happiness. I'm not even sure he realized the magnitude buried in the simplicity of his statement.
So, if you're eager to challenge your thinking and continue plumbing the depths of AI and the future it brings with it, this video is for you.
And, if you found this video beneficial, check out more of my content and be sure to subscribe as I continue living life at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience.
Source "The Diary of A CEO" episode is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmlrEgLGozw
* Chapters ***
0:00 - Introduction 2:24 - Big Themes of the Dialogue 5:11 - Is Higher Intelligence Always Better? 12:28 - The Incredible Pace of Machines 17:01 - People Behave like People 19:57 - Two-Factor Authentication for Ethics 22:25 - The Immediate Risks of AI 28:42 - Mitigating the Risks 38:36 - Can We Trust our Intuition? 43:30 - A Return to Humanity 52:34 - Where Does Purpose Come From? 59:50 - Everyone! Do This One Thing
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
This week I had a fascinating chat with Luis Contreras, the brain behind an innovative AR social application UON that's seriously upping the game.
Struggling to grasp how technology can actually enrich our human connections rather than detract from them? This conversation might just flip your perspective. We delved into the delicate balance of meshing the digital with analog, and trust me, it's about more than placing furniture in your room or adding a filter to your selfie.
Remember those small yet meaningful moments you wish you could share with the world that a picture doesn't do justic? Or have you ever wanted to literally walk a mile in someone's shoes? Luis gives us a sneak peek into how AR can bridge that gap, making human experiences more relatable, immersive, and honestly, a lot more fun.
But hey, I won't give too much away here. Dive into the video, hear our insights on AR's potential, and maybe even get a fresh perspective on tech's role in your daily adventures. Don't just take my word for it - click play, and let's journey into the augmented realm together!
P.S. If you ever fancied going on an AR-driven date, you might just find a tip or two!
* Chapters ***
0:00 - Introduction
4:43 - Enriching Human Experience with AR
13:22 - The Intersection of AR & Social Media
27:05 - Where It All Began
35:58 - The Product Journey
44:16 - A More Connected Future
55:14 - Sharing The Human Experience with Others
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Hey everyone, Christopher here with another Learning Tech Talks. This week was an insightful conversation with the remarkable Helen Marshall, Chief Learning Officer at THRIVE. While we started on our shared experiences in building community, we dove deep into the crux of AI's potential in the L&D landscape and how it intertwines with the undeniable human need for connection.
After all, the future of AI isn't just about the code; it's about how we harness its power to unlock our inherent human capability. Together we discussed how AI can enhance our learning experiences without overshadowing the fundamental human elements. And yes, our chat surprisingly touched on the nuanced world of skills terminology and the unexpected charm of donuts.
Throughout the discussion we explore the ethical boundaries of AI, its potential pitfalls, and the wonders of personalization. But amidst all the tech talk, one thing became clear: the need for human connection isn't going anywhere, and it's our responsibility in the L&D world to nurture it. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or someone passionate about the world of learning and development, this conversation has something for you.
Don't miss out on this exploration; hit that play button and join us in pondering the intricate dance of technology and humanity. See you inside!
* Chapters ****
0:00 - Introductions
6:03 - The Power of Community
21:05 - The Ambiguity of AI
25:45 - Getting AI Right in L&D
40:46 - The Changing L&D Tech Stack
50:13 - Mitigating the Risks of AI
56:03 - Defining Personalization
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Hey everyone, in this Learning Tech Talks, I had an absolutely enlightening conversation with the incredible Ben Brooks, Founder & CEO of PILOT. We took on leadership and all the ambiguity that comes with it. Through the dialogue, we deconstructed what leadership really means and how to strike that balance between guiding firmly and letting innovation soar. Ever wondered about the sweet spot between a tight-fisted grip and a laissez-faire approach in leadership? We touched upon that and SO much more.
We brought forward a number of compelling reasons why we need to redefine leadership, underlining the immense value of diverse perspectives and opportunities for employee growth. If "What defines an empowering workplace?" is a question on your mind, our discussion might just illuminate some answers.
Hopefully this conversation helps you recognize leadership is more than a title; it's a universal suite of things that everyone need to do well, albeit with their own unique flavor depending on their situation.
* Chapters ****
0:00 - Introductions 4:09 - What Is Leadership? 16:59 - Why Getting It Right Matters 27:18 - Shared Responsibility Between Managers & Employees 36:28 - Making Leadership Development Accessible 49:09 - Leaving Room For Flexibility 55:15 - Relinquishing Control
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In this session I'm doing a deep-dive into a topic that's literally shaping our world, and not always in ways we'd like: Cybersecurity in the age of AI. This week, I sat down with Benjamin Netter, tech junkie and founder of Riot, a cybersecurity company looking to protect the most vulnerable.
We delved into the nitty-gritty of data breaches and the risk of your personal information - yes, yours - being leaked on the internet. Sound scary? Well, it is. But fear not, we broke down complex issues, like two-step verification and mobile passcodes, in a way that even my non-tech-savvy friends could grasp. We also unpacked what business and learning leaders can do to prepare their employees and ultimately protect their organizations. And if you're thinking, "well, shouldn't the AI companies be sorting this out?" – we touched on that too. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged, my friends.
So, get ready to have your perspectives flipped, your curiosity sparked, and yes, maybe even a tiny bit of paranoia induced (all in the name of good, secure fun, of course!) Don't miss this riveting conversation, full of insights you'll be chewing on long after the video ends. Watch, learn, and let's all do our part to stay secure in this digital age!
Show Notes:
0:00 - Introductions
4:09 - The Breach The Changed Everything
12:39 - Breaking Down a Hack
19:18 - How Cybersecurity is Changing
28:02 - Protecting New Employees
33:24 - The Impact of AI
45:55 - Mitigating the Risks
56:11 - Are AI Companies Responsible?
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Are you ready to dive into the paradoxical nature of beauty and tragedy, where innovation meets the human condition? In this episode, I'm talking with Aarash Darroodi, the Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the legendary Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Through our thought-provoking discussion, we explore the intersection of leadership, innovation, and the human element in the rapidly evolving landscape of the modern workforce.
As globalization continues to reshape the world, we discuss the pivotal role of embracing diversity and connecting to humanity in fostering a thriving workforce. Is there a hidden leadership crisis looming amidst the Great Resignation? How can leaders and organizations navigate these challenges and create a harmonious equilibrium?
Join us for a soul-stirring conversation that uncovers the untold facets of leadership, innovation, and the remarkable essence of humanity in the corporate world. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey of exploration and transformation.
Show Notes:
- 0:00 - Introduction
- 1:58 - From War-Torn Iran to EVP @ Fender
- 8:28 - Overcoming Adversity
- 24:46 - Reawakening our Humanity
- 32:16 - The Legal Risks of Humanity
- 40:08 - Lawyers 3.0
- 46:23 - The Leadership Paradox
- 53:29 - Taking Time to Deconstruct the Human Experience
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In today's video, we delve into an uncharted territory, a concept I'm calling "Liminal Space," that ambiguous area on the threshold of something new and transformative. While I pulled together this video in a rush due to a last-minute change in guests, it just might be one of the most important ones yet.
I highlight three of the biggest changes happening in the world of work, which include the role of artificial intelligence in our lives and future, the changing expectations of the employee experience, and the current economic uncertainty. I unpack why, despite the relentless march of technology, some things will never become obsolete. Instead, they will evolve, adapting to this new era ahead.
This video is an exploration of our transitional phase, standing at the edge of the familiar, staring into an unknown future. It's a bit like walking through a foggy twilight, where the world as we know it is beginning to shape-shift before our eyes. It's unsettling, but remember, no great change ever came without a little discomfort.
In this conversation, I also dive into my philosophy about life – the lessons learnt growing up in a funeral home, the value of purpose, the mirage of control, and the art of holding things with an open hand. This is about finding balance between purposeful action and acceptance of uncertainty, a mantra for navigating the paradoxes of our times.
But most importantly, this video is a call to arms – a reminder that while this journey is individual, it is far from solitary. We are all navigating this together, and if we can be honest, open, and supportive, we're more than capable of weathering the storm.
I hope you'll join me on this exploration. This isn't just a video; it's an invitation - to reflect, to engage, and to journey forward into the fog of the future. As always, it's not just about finding answers, but about asking the right questions. And boy, do we have some questions lined up for you!
Tune in, lean in, and let's explore this 'liminal space' together. I promise, it'll be worth the ride.
0:00 - Introduction
2:26 - "The Big Three" | Disruptions Happening Now
2:57 - Artificial Intelligence
11:15 - Expectations of the Employee Experience
17:15 - Economic & Business Uncertainty
21:38 - So, What Do We Do?
23:53 - Sensitivity to Where We're At
28:16 - Keep People Focused on the Problems
33:49 - Redefine Your Swimlane
37:25 - Deconstruct & Reconstruct Your Work
44:43 - Deconstruct & Reconstruct Your Skills
52:49 - Step Forward, But Hold With An Open Hand
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In this episode, I delve into the convergence of AI and learning content design, with the insightful Ethan Webb, Co-Founder of Mindsmith. This discussion takes us into some profound territories, unearthing fresh insights bound to stretch your thinking.
We begin by unboxing the essence of AI and learning design, asking the question: How do these two seemingly disparate fields intersect? Together we explore the complex answers, illuminating the depth and potential at this crossroads. We dive deep into how Mindsmith is leveraging AI to personalize and revolutionize the learning experience for designers and learners, a topic that holds profound implications for the future of our industry.
We also explore the possibilities of generative AI and how it can be used to enhance everything we know about learning content design, reshaping the traditional one-size-fits-all approach.
Now, as with all my AI discussions, be prepared for some engaging discourse around the philosophical aspects every leader should be weighing and the decision-making responsibilty we have
One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the need for an ethical, human-centered approach to the design and implementation of AI in learning. Ethan's commitment to this ethos is both inspiring and instructive, demonstrating the importance of thoughtful design in shaping the future of AI and learning.
If these themes have piqued your curiosity, and you're interested in exploring the fascinating intersection of AI and learning content design, this conversation is a must-watch. Ethan and I push the boundaries of conventional thinking, offering you a glimpse into a future where AI is an integral part of the learning experience.
Join us for an intellectual adventure that might just change the way you view AI, learning, and the exciting terrain where they meet.
Show Notes:
2:30 - Introduction to AI and Learning Content Design
10:45 - The Role of AI in Personalizing Learning
23:30 - The Impact on Content Creation
42:20 - Ethical AI and the Human-Centered Approach
55:50 - Future of AI and Learning Content Design
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
This one's a wild ride! In this conversation, I sit down with Josh Bachynski, an Independent AI Technologist and Philosopher, and we take a deep dive into the potential future of Generative AI & Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and what it means for humanity.
We navigate the labyrinth of intelligence, sentience, and the ethical dimensions of AGI, including how AGI could reshape societal norms, workplaces, and ethical decision-making. The way he talks about a future where AGI could make more ethical decisions than humans is something to consider.
I balance our dialogue with my views on the enabler role of AI and the risks humans bring to the equation as we explore how it intersects with other significant developments we're witnessing. Overall, we both share optimism about AGI's potential while acknowledging the need for careful observation.
We discuss the hurdles and opportunities of creating the world's first AGI and the importance of embedding ethics into its code. It's a theme that is incredibly vital and yet under-discussed, and it's something we all need to think about.
Will we tell AI what to do or will AI tell us what should be done? You might be surprised at Josh's take on this question and how he imagines AGI could make decisions that are win-win-win for all. It's a thrilling vision, one that challenges the fear-mongering narrative so often portrayed.
But don't take my word for it, hit play and join us on this riveting journey into the future of AI! It's an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, ethics, and the future of work. Trust me; you won't want to miss it!
And remember, let’s all keep watching, questioning, and participating in the narrative around everything at the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience.
Show Notes:
Introduction and the Scope of AI (00:00:32 - 00:06:57)
- Join us as we start off our conversation by laying out the landscape of AI and its significance. Josh and I delve into its enormous potential and transformative role in our society.
Josh's Vision for AGI (00:07:00 - 00:15:12)
- Here, Josh passionately shares his unique vision for AGI and how it might transform societal norms and business practices. It's an eye-opening perspective that reframes how we see AGI's potential impact.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Developing AGI (00:15:17 - 00:22:58)
- We discuss the considerable challenges in creating the world's first AGI and the ethical dilemmas that come along. Josh provides fascinating insights into his ongoing work and the hurdles that lie ahead.
AI as an Enabler (00:23:01 - 00:31:30)
- In this section, I delve into the concept of AI as an enabler. We discuss its intersection with other significant developments in technology and societal change. It's a broad perspective on the role of AI in our world.
Ethics and Decision-Making in AI (00:31:34 - 00:40:16)
- Don't miss this section where we explore the intertwining of ethics and AI. We discuss the importance of incorporating ethical values into AI and how it can impact the decision-making process.
AI in Control: A New Narrative (00:40:20 - 01:04:38)
- To wrap up our conversation, Josh puts forth a provocative idea: AGI in control. We explore a scenario where an intelligent AGI refuses a decision harmful to employees for shareholder gains, giving a fascinating perspective on AGI's potential capabilities.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Check out this groundbreaking chat with Mike Vaughan, the CEO of The Regis Company. We dove deep into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring its
game-changing potential for reshaping experiential learning. The takeaway? It's not only impressive but crucial in the evolving landscape of L&D.
We looked at how AI and simulations are no longer exclusive to tech giants or reserved for extravagant budgets. Mike shared how advancements democratize the process, making it easier and faster than ever to create engaging learning experiences. We also explored how AI is drastically accelerating the design phase of learning solutions, bringing rapid prototyping to our fingertips.
One of the key shifts we tackled is the transition from a traditional "fully-formed blueprint" mindset to an iterative approach. This fresh perspective allows us to adapt, experiment, and make adjustments swiftly, a necessary skill in this dynamic landscape. Yes, it's uncomfortable, but hey, who said growth was easy?
We're also saying goodbye to the era of giant behemoth simulations and hello to the age of 'nano Sims'. Bite-sized, digestible, and just as impactful -
that's the future, folks. But don't just take my word for it. Mike's insights and first-hand experience truly bring this vision to life.
So, if you're curious about how AI is revolutionizing learning and development or want to discover practical tips for dipping your toes in
this AI-infused pool, you've got to watch this conversation. We've only just scratched the surface here. See you on the inside!
Make sure to give it a watch, hit the like button if you enjoy our deep dive, and don't forget to subscribe for more exciting discussions about the
future of learning and development. Let's push boundaries together.
-
The Impact of AI on L&D [00:03:42 - 00:06:15]
- Dive into how AI is changing the learning and development landscape, shifting the focus from information to higher cognitive skill development. Explore how AI can become an ally in providing rapid, effective learning solutions.
-
The Power of Rapid Prototyping [00:17:22 - 00:20:59]
-
Discover the game-changing impact of AI in enabling faster prototyping. We talk about the business implications and how this new pace can dramatically reduce time to solution, transforming stakeholder expectations.
-
Embracing an Iterative Approach [00:32:18 - 00:34:47]
-
Change can be uncomfortable, but necessary. We dive into the shift from a traditional approach to iterative design, exploring the benefits and challenges it brings and how it encourages continuous learning and adaptation.
-
The Age of Nano Sims [00:45:25 - 00:48:50]
-
Say goodbye to massive simulations and hello to the era of 'nano Sims'. Learn about the rise of small, digestible learning experiences, their benefits, and why they should be your go-to approach for learning in this dynamic landscape.
-
Getting Started with AI in L&D [00:57:24 - 00:59:35]
-
How does one jump into this new AI-infused reality? We discuss practical steps, starting points and strategies to help you and your organization effectively step into this exciting new era of learning and development.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
It's time for another round of brain-stretching conversation. This time I had the privilege to chat with Jakob Knutzen, the co-founder of Butter,
an interactive, real-time platform that's changing the game for virtual training and collaboration.
In this engaging conversation, Jakob and I dive headfirst into the current virtual landscape. We explore how Butter revolutionizes remote collaboration, transforming online training from yawn-inducing to dynamic and interactive. You'll find out why traditional PowerPoints won't cut it anymore and how Butter allows us to engage with our employees more effectively. But we didn't stop there!
An insightful discussion about virtual facilitation skills ensued, covering their importance and why every professional should be harnessing them. We even challenge the traditional norms about proximity and in-person meetings. Is your ability to 'read the room' just a proximity illusion? Let's find out together!
And, oh, we squeaked in a bit about AI too! We talked about its potential to humanize the virtual environment, its exciting future in virtual facilitation, and
yes, even how it could potentially tell you if you're talking too much in a meeting.
Exciting stuff, right? Well, there's a lot more where that came from. Hit the play button and join us on this enlightening journey; it's time we embrace the virtual world and all the possibilities it brings to our doorstep. Let's learn, grow, and redefine work together!
So, are you ready to butter up your remote collaborations? Tune in now, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging content!
00:03:27 - Revolutionizing Remote Collaboration
- Discover how Butter is taking virtual meetings from passive to interactive, redefining what it means to connect and collaborate in a digital space.
00:15:10 - The Death of Death by PowerPoint
- Jakob and I dissect the limitations of traditional presentation tools and discuss Butter's more engaging alternative. Say goodbye to dull PowerPoint presentations and hello to dynamic, interactive content!
00:27:45 - Facilitation Skills in the Virtual World
- We dive deep into the importance of virtual facilitation skills in today's work environment. Find out why these skills are becoming non-negotiables for professionals across all industries.
00:39:35 - The Proximity Illusion
- We challenge the importance of physical presence and proximity in effective communication. Can we really "read the room" or is this a proximity illusion? Tune in to hear our perspective.
00:52:04 - Unleashing the Power of AI
- AI has more to offer than you might think! Explore how it's humanizing the virtual environment and its exciting future in virtual facilitation.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In this conversation, Sagi Brody and I dive deep into the complex intersection of technology and business, discussing the importance of effective communication and creative problem-solving. Sagi, Chief Technology Officer at Opti9, shares his wealth of experience, helping to unlock the 'secrets' behind transforming 'tech-speak' into meaningful business language and driving towards innovative solutions.
We explore the often underestimated value of persistence and the potential of a 'can we?' rather than a 'we can't' mindset, encouraging leaders to not pre-disqualify ideas simply because they seem daunting at first. Are you dealing with complex tech situations or restrictions that seem like immovable objects? This conversation will spark your curiosity and open up a world of possibilities, from considering technical problems from different angles to navigating intricate regulations.
We also stress the human element in these scenarios, shedding light on how building relationships, not transactions, can make all the difference in an ever-increasingly technical world. There's a thread here about the power of human connection and the long-lasting value of a strong professional network.
And who knows, you might also learn about the role of beer in fostering successful tech interactions!
Join us in this intriguing conversation - it promises to change the way you approach and think about the tech side of your business, regardless of your role or industry. Don't miss out on the valuable insights hidden in the world of ones and zeros. Click play now!
[0:02:10] Making Tech Talk Tangible:
- This early part of our conversation dives into the challenge of translating technical jargon into meaningful, everyday language. Sagi shares how he's made this an essential part of his work at Opti9.
[0:15:15] The Power of Persistence:
- A little later on, we delve into the impact of a never-give-up mindset in overcoming technology roadblocks. Sagi shares examples from his own career about the power of persistence.
[0:28:25] Navigating the Regulatory Landscape:
- In this part, Sagi shares insights about managing the complexities of regulations in the tech world. He brings a unique perspective on how to turn compliance from a hindrance into an enabler of innovation.
[0:42:05] Relationships over Transactions:
- As we head into the last quarter of our conversation, we touch on the critical aspect of building relationships in a heavily tech-driven industry. We discuss the value of forging genuine connections and partnerships.
[0:52:30] The Unconventional Role of Beer in Tech:
- Near the end, we chat about the fun, human side of tech, including how Sagi's shared love of craft beer has helped him create meaningful relationships in the industry.
[0:59:15] Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom:
- Wrapping up, Sagi shares his parting wisdom and insights valuable for both tech and business leaders. Tune in to get his final takeaways from years of experience in the field.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
Get ready for an AI-centric world and lean into a future that's more fantastic than fiction. Today, I'm responding to an intense and thought-provoking discussion from a recent episode of The Diary of a CEO featuring Steven Bartlett and Mo Gawdat. Their conversation about the potential dangers and transformative powers of AI is something I couldn't resist dissecting for you.
In this video, I engage with their perspectives, offering my takes where I found myself nodding in agreement, and not shying away from where our worldviews diverged. AI's impact on humanity and how it might shape our lives has sparked an exhilarating dialogue that I think you won't want to miss.
I'll highlight some key themes: the unique aspects of the human experience that might differentiate us in an AI-driven world, the inescapable wave of Artificial General Intelligence, and the bedrock truth we may need to ground ourselves in as we navigate this seismic shift.
I'll also highlight the pressing concerns surrounding this impending change, and why it's absolutely essential to prepare for it. Trust me, you'd rather engage proactively than be swept along without a say in the matter.
The future I envision might not be what you expect. I'm confident in a bright future with AI, but what do I mean by 'bright'? Well, you'll have to watch the full video to understand my perspective.
So if you're ready to challenge your thinking and lean into an exciting discussion about AI's impact, this is the video for you. Let's navigate this future together, one conversation at a time. Don't forget to subscribe and join us on this journey.
See you on the inside!
Source "The Diary of A CEO" episode is here: https://youtu.be/bk-nQ7HF6k4
* Chapters *
0:00 - Introduction 3:00 - Where We're Aligned 3:15 - AI Breakdown 7:20 - Possible Scenarios 10:03 - End of the World (As We Know It) 15:20 - Recommended Interventions 22:00 - Live for Today 24:30 - Where We Diverge 25:35 - Don't Have Kids 30:12 - Possible Scenarios 41:30 - Importance of Human Experience 49:35 - Concluding Thoughts
ArtificialIntelligence#FutureOfAI#AIandHumanity#AIethics#AIimpact
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In this deeply engaging conversation, I'm talking with the brilliant Katy Conway from Resources Global Professionals. It's conversations like these that truly spark a deeper understanding of the vast landscape of global HR and the professionals that navigate it.
In this chat, we navigated through some rather intriguing topics. Katy brings her sharp perspective to illuminate subjects that we often hear about, but rarely delve into. And as always, she demonstrates her knack for deconstructing complex ideas into digestible concepts.
We explored the realities of the global human resource industry, the ongoing trends that are transforming this landscape, and the impacts on professionals within this space. Katy shared some insights that not only shed light on the state of HR but also on the professionals that are making waves in the industry. And let me tell you, you don't want to miss her take on this. It's unique, it's refreshing, and it’s insightful!
If you're someone interested in the latest developments in HR, or just looking to gain a richer understanding of the industry, this conversation is for you. There's a wealth of knowledge packed into this video, and Katy's perspective is truly enlightening. It's conversations like these that remind me why I love doing what I do!
Don't want to give too much away, but we also discussed something particularly fascinating, something Katy referred to as the "silent revolution." What does that mean? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out!
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and prepare to dive into an enlightening conversation that promises to stretch your understanding of the HR landscape. Trust me, you're going to want to stick around for this one.
Can't wait for you to watch the video and hear your thoughts! Let's continue the conversation in the comments below.
🕒 03:22 - Unpacking the Global Resource Landscape
- Tune in as Katy Conway demystifies the global resource industry. Her lucid explanation unveils the intricacies and interconnections that shape the world of resources as we know it.
🕒 08:45 - Understanding the Professionals Behind the Resources
- This is where we peel back the curtain to reveal the professionals that keep this massive wheel turning. Katy lends her expertise to provide a rare peek into the lives and roles of the people who drive this industry.
🕒 16:30 - The Transformative Trends
- Wondering about the trends redefining the industry? Katy breaks down some of the most impactful ongoing trends in the global resource sector. These insights are vital for anyone looking to keep their finger on the pulse of this ever-evolving industry.
🕒 25:15 - Impact Assessment: Then and Now
- Here, Katy illuminates the evolving impact of global resources on businesses and society at large. It's a profound segment that beautifully encapsulates the journey and the transformation of this industry over the years.
🕒 33:55 - The Silent Revolution
- This is where things get particularly fascinating. Katy discusses something she calls the "silent revolution." What is it exactly? You'll have to join us at this timestamp to unravel the mystery!
🕒 43:10 - Looking Ahead: The Future of Global Resources
- We conclude the conversation by casting our gaze into the future. Katy shares her vision for the future of global resources and the professionals within this space. A not-to-be-missed segment for anyone interested in the future trajectory of the industry.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
This was an incredibly engaging conversation with Mike Parks from Inkling, and you won't want to miss this one. Mike brings a level of insight and candor to the discussion that takes it to a whole new level, whether you're a seasoned learning professional or just starting out in the world of L&D.
This chat gets into the nitty-gritty of how we approach learning and development in a digital era, and how we need to be adapting to the ever-evolving landscape. Mike brings a unique perspective to the table, emphasizing the importance of leveraging the technology that's already at our fingertips. His take on "forced compliance vs. embracing technology" is something that I think everyone needs to hear.
We also dove deep into the concept of the "curve of disruption" and the imperative of focusing on the right problems to drive innovation. The analogy of the horse and buggy vs. EV that Mike references is a game-changer, and it's going to make you think twice about how you approach problem-solving.
But that's not all. If you've been pondering on how to kickstart your digital transformation journey, you're in luck. Mike shares a practical roadmap, and trust me, it's one you'll want to follow. But here's a teaser - it all begins with having clearly defined metrics.
We wrap up with a word of caution on the haphazard implementation of AI. Hint: It's not always the magical solution it's often made out to be. I won't spill all the beans here; you'll have to watch the full video for that nugget of wisdom.
So, if you're ready for some serious insight into the world of learning and development, click that play button. I guarantee it'll be worth your while. And hey, don't forget to like, share, and subscribe. We've got plenty more enlightening conversations coming your way!
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Introduction and Backgrounds (00:00 - 10:00):
- Christopher Lind and Mike Parks introduce themselves, share their professional backgrounds, and set the stage for their conversation.
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Changing Generational Expectations (10:00 - 20:00):
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Christopher and Mike delve into the shifting expectations of today's workforce, focusing on the impact of technology and generational differences.
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Workplace Compliance vs. Influence (20:00 - 30:00):
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The two discuss the concept of compliance in the workplace, contrasting it with the idea of influence as a more productive and respectful approach.
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Disruption and the Evolution of Work (30:00 - 40:00):
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Mike introduces the concept of disruption and how it has historically transformed various industries, drawing parallels with the current state of the workforce and learning platforms.
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Strategy for Digital Transformation (40:00 - 50:00):
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They dive into a strategic conversation about how organizations can begin their digital transformation journey, emphasizing on the importance of clearly defined metrics and gradual disruption.
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Closing Thoughts and Next Steps (50:00 - 60:00):
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Mike and Christopher wrap up their conversation with insights on how to approach digital transformation effectively and the implications for the future of work and learning.
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In this session, I had an exhilarating chat with the insightful Shaunak Roy from YellowDig, and you've got to hear this! We dive deep into the world of Learning and Development (L&D), exploring the rapid changes and unique challenges we're all facing in this era of digital transformation.
Shaunak shared his vision of companies needing to evolve into learning organizations, a concept that has been rapidly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical changes, and the relentless march of AI. And let me tell you, his perspective is a game-changer.
We also had a lively debate on the age-old analog vs. digital learning discussion. But guess what? We both agreed that this is the wrong question to ask. Intrigued yet? You should be!
Shaunak and I grappled with the pace of change, which is so fast that keeping up might seem impossible. But folks, this is where we flip the script! Instead of trying to keep up, we discuss the idea of strategically choosing where to focus our efforts.
Now, don't get me wrong, this transformation isn't an option anymore – it's a necessity. But the big question is: what does this mean for us? For L&D leaders? For CEOs? For the VP of Sales or Marketing? Trust me, you'll want to hear our thoughts on this!
Towards the end, we reflect on how this seemingly overwhelming environment is actually an exciting opportunity for us, talent leaders. We have the power to shape the future of our organizations and make a real difference. And that, my friends, is the real thrill of it all.
So what are you waiting for? Dive into our conversation and gain some serious insights on the future of L&D. I can promise you this – you won't look at your role the same way again! Hit that play button, and let's go on this journey together. Catch you on the inside!
Time Stamps:
[00:03:45] The Necessity of Learning Organizations
- Shaunak and I start off by diving deep into the concept of learning organizations and why they're no longer a choice, but a necessity in this digital age. Expect some mind-blowing insights that will challenge your understanding of the corporate world.
[00:15:23] Analog vs. Digital Learning: The Wrong Question
- Here's where we tackle the much-debated topic of analog vs. digital learning, and come to a surprising agreement. This section will make you rethink how you approach learning in your organization, and perhaps even in your personal life.
[00:28:12] The Pace of Change: Not Keeping Up, but Choosing Where to Focus
- We talk about the unprecedented speed of change, and how the key to navigating it isn't keeping up, but strategically choosing where to focus. This segment is sure to resonate with anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of the modern world.
[00:40:54] The Transformation: A Necessity, Not an Option
- Shaunak and I discuss the urgent need for transformation in companies and how it impacts various roles, from L&D leaders to CEOs to VPs of Sales and Marketing. This part is a must-listen for anyone in a leadership position.
[00:53:22] The Exciting Opportunity for Talent Leaders
- We end on a high note, reflecting on the unique opportunities that this environment of change presents for talent leaders. Listen in to get inspired about the incredible difference you can make in your organization.
[01:05:33] Reflection and Takeaways
- In the final minutes, we wrap up our conversation with some personal reflections and key takeaways. You won't want to miss the nuggets of wisdom we've gleaned from our deep dive into the future of L&D.
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Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to HR and People Strategy? In this eye-opening conversation, I had the pleasure of discussing the power of skills in today's fast-paced business world with Kristy McCann Flynn from SkillCycle who has worked with some of the most innovative companies out there. We dove deep into the crucial role HR plays in shaping a company's culture, retaining top talent, and driving growth.
Throughout our talk, we explored how an effective talent strategy can create a highly motivated and skilled workforce, unlocking the true potential of your employees. We shared real-life examples of innovative approaches to programs and connected them to the emerging trends that are shaping the future of the industry.
But that's not all! We also tackled the challenges that HR professionals face in this ever-changing landscape and offered actionable insights on how to stay ahead of the curve. From developing a growth mindset and fostering psychological safety to embracing technology and continuous learning, we covered it all.
If you're passionate about creating a thriving workplace, fostering collaboration, and maximizing the potential of your team, this conversation is a must-watch! So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and join me on this exciting journey to unlock the secrets of skills in today's business world. You won't want to miss it!
Show Notes:
05:23 - Unleashing the Power of Skills
- Discover the true impact of Skills on employee performance, engagement, and company growth. Learn how the right strategy can transform your organization.
16:14 - The Role of Psychological Safety in L&D
- Understand the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment for your employees, and how it can lead to breakthroughs in innovation and collaboration.
27:45 - The Future of HR: New Trends and Technologies
- Dive into the latest trends and tech that are shaping the world of HR, and how they can help your company stay competitive and agile.
38:59 - Designing programs for Maximum Impact
- Get insights into crafting programs that resonate with your employees, providing them with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in their roles.
49:24 - Overcoming Challenges in a Rapidly Changing World
- Explore the hurdles HR professionals face in adapting to the evolving landscape, and how to navigate them with confidence and foresight.
56:00 - Actionable Tips for Implementing a Successful Strategy
- Practical advice on how to put your plans into action and create a culture of continuous learning and growth within your organization.
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In this episode, David James and I explore the future of learning and development. We unpack the role of technology in the ever-evolving landscape of L&D, from traditional learning management systems to new collaborative platforms that promote engagement and interaction. We also dive into the importance of aligning cultural and technical elements when transitioning into new roles or skills, and the impact of generative AI on the field.
This conversation challenged me to rethink my own approach to learning and development and consider how I can better support the teams I work with. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of L&D. Don't miss out on the insights and ideas shared in this thought-provoking discussion.
Show Notes:
- 05:50: Addressing burnout and mental health - Discuss the importance of prioritizing employee wellbeing and how organizations can support their employees in managing burnout and mental health.
- 17:35: The value of collaborative learning - Discuss the limitations of traditional learning models and the benefits of collaborative learning in improving engagement, retention, and performance.
- 26:40: The role of AI in learning and development - Discuss the potential impact of generative AI on the future of learning and development and how it can be used to create more personalized and effective learning experiences.
- 42:15: The importance of accountability in learning and development - Discuss the need for learning and development to hold themselves accountable for the effectiveness of their programs and the impact on the organization's performance.
- 50:10: The role of learning tech in supporting workforce transitions - Discuss how learning technology can be used to support employees through periods of change and transition, and the importance of aligning technical solutions with cultural change.
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Are you ready to transform how you think about blending technology and people in the workplace? In this conversation, Justin Lake from Skyfull and I explore the power of empathy and human-centric approaches to work and digital transformation. We'll unpack how prioritizing the employee experience leads to better outcomes for both employees and businesses.
The data is clear but we'll unpack stories about companies that harnessed digital tech to gain insights into improving the right employees work behavior, ultimately boosting their performance and satisfaction. We also highlight how personalized learning experiences that empower employees to excel in their roles.
But wait, there's more! Find out how investing in technology that supports employees' well-being and mental health can have a profound impact on their lives, while also improving business performance. It's time to challenge the false dichotomy between focusing on people or performance, and embrace a new way of thinking that benefits everyone.
This conversation is packed with insights, stories, and practical advice for anyone interested in the future of work, learning, and technology. If you've ever struggled with balancing the needs of your employees with the goals of your organization, you won't want to miss this episode. So, hit play, and let's reimagine the possibilities together!
Timestamps:
The Importance of Human-centric Technology (08:34)
- Delve into the significance of focusing on the human aspect when designing technology and its impact on performance and user experience.
Empathy and the User Experience (14:52)
- Learn about the importance of empathy in creating user-centered learning experiences and why it's a game-changer for employee satisfaction.
Personalizing Learning through Data (27:18)
- Discover how leveraging data can provide tailored learning experiences, empowering employees to improve and grow in their roles.
Harnessing Mobile Technology for Better Insights (37:45)
- Hear an intriguing anecdote about a company that used mobile tech to optimize employee training, improving performance and productivity.
The False Dichotomy between People and Performance (53:27)
- Address the common misconception that organizations must choose between focusing on people or performance, emphasizing that the two are interconnected and can benefit each other.
The Burden of Change (57:31)
- Discuss the burden of change employees face in both their work and personal lives and how organizations can help ease the adoption of new technology and processes.
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What’s the blueprint of your learning academy?
Learning academies are a familiar concept for many, but some view them as refreshed corporate universities to stay relevant.
As a former skeptic, I challenge this notion assuming it's done right. Attending an academy is one thing, but architecting and leading one is another. My appreciation for this shift has grown tremendously since spending more time under the hood.
Whether you're a skeptic or an enthusiast, understanding the blueprint of a learning academy is essential for success on your learning journey.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm hanging out with Matt Burr, CEO and Co-Founder of Nomadic Learning, to dive into the world of digital academies. Join us as we discuss the purpose and intent of these academies and how they can benefit organizations of all sizes. We'll cover everything from starting a digital academy from scratch to refurbishing what you've got in order to adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of today's learners.
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In this podcast, I'll dive into the topic of advanced AI and the risks and ethical concerns that come with it. Now, before you run off thinking that I'm completely against it, hear me out. I truly believe that this technology has the potential to do so much good, but we need to approach it with wisdom and discernment.You see, the pace of change is moving so quickly that it's easy for people to blindly cling to AI without thinking through the potential consequences. On the flip side, others may avoid it altogether, which isn't necessarily the best approach either. We need to find a balance.I'll discuss tangible ways to mitigate the risks of advanced AI while still leveraging its potential, like building jobs for the future, not just for today, and prioritizing digital acumen. As a learning leader, it's crucial to prepare the workforce and prioritize critical thinking skills. And for parents out there, don't wait for your kids to get into a mess - have conversations with them now about the risks and benefits of advanced AI.So, while there are certainly risks and ethical concerns to consider with advanced AI, I'm cautiously optimistic about its potential. Let's work together to use this technology for good while being mindful of the potential consequences. I hope this episode challenges your thinking and encourages you to approach advanced AI with a human-centered perspective.Show NotesIntroduction (0:00) The powerful potential of AI technology and the need for caution in its use.Environmental Risks (3:57)The environmental impact of AI's energy consumption and how it can exacerbate climate change.The importance of considering the environmental impact of AI development and use, and mitigating these risks.Well-being Risks (11:57)The risks to mental health and well-being from overreliance on AI technology.The importance of using AI in a way that promotes well-being and mental health, and not relying too heavily on it.Diversity and Equity Risks (19:43)The potential for AI to perpetuate or worsen existing biases and inequalities.The importance of designing and using AI in a way that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.Societal & Workplace Readiness (29:40)The need for society and workplaces to be prepared for the changes and challenges brought about by AI.The importance of thinking ahead and building jobs and skills for the future, rather than just the present. Conclusion (37:00) The importance of using AI technology with wisdom and discernment, and being aware of the risks involved. The need for everyone to be part of the conversation and be involved in finding solutions, rather than avoiding or blindly accepting the changes brought about by AI.#AdvancedAI #AIRisks #EthicalAI #TechEthics #HumanCenteredAI
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Are you ready to unlock the future of active learning at scale? In this thought-provoking conversation with Kyle Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of Talespin, I dive into the limitless potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in transforming the way we learn, teach, and grow as professionals.
Throughout the discussion, we unravel the misconceptions around VR, emphasizing that it's more than just headsets. We explore how cutting-edge technology can revolutionize learning experiences, transcending traditional limitations and reshaping the way we develop our workforce.
By examining the core principles behind active learning and the intricacies of VR applications, we'll challenge the status quo and show you why businesses must embrace these innovative approaches to stay ahead of the curve.
As we venture into the realm of prediction and evaluation, we'll uncover the massive potential of VR in quantifying learning impact and delivering tangible business value. Not only will you gain insights into how to approach VR as an investment, but you'll also discover how the right mindset and strategic partnerships can lead to game-changing outcomes.
This conversation will make you question everything you thought you knew about VR and active learning. It's a must-watch for anyone looking to revolutionize their learning strategy and unlock their organization's full potential. Don't miss out on this eye-opening journey into the future of learning – you won't be the same after watching this episode!
Show Notes:
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Dissecting the World of Virtual Reality (00:02:15)
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Dive into the origins and nuances of VR, dispelling common myths, and understanding its true potential in revolutionizing learning experiences.
- The Power of Active Learning & VR Synergy (00:12:43)
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Discover the core principles of active learning and explore how combining it with VR can create immersive, transformative educational experiences.
- Evaluating ROI and Measuring Learning Impact (00:23:07)
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Unveil the incredible potential of VR in quantifying learning outcomes and delivering tangible business value that justifies the investment.
- Overcoming Barriers to Adopting VR in Learning (00:34:52)
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Discuss the challenges organizations face when implementing VR, and learn how to overcome them with the right mindset and strategic partnerships.
- Real-world VR Success Stories (00:45:28)
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Get inspired by groundbreaking case studies of organizations that have harnessed the power of VR in learning, and witness the transformative results.
- Vision for the Future of VR and Active Learning (00:52:47)
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Look ahead at the exciting future of VR, how it will continue to reshape the way we learn, and the long-lasting impact it will have on businesses and society.
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Join me in bonus episode where I'll dive into the world of Generative Artificial Intelligence and how it can be used as a powerful tool to enhance critical thinking, adaptability, empathy, and communication skills. I'll share practical strategies and tactics for leveraging generative AI to become distinctly more human and better equipped for success in the rapidly changing world.
Show Notes:
Critical Thinking and Decision Making [03:29]
- How generative AI can help enhance your critical thinking skills
- Using AI to evaluate your own thought process and decision-making
- Getting feedback from AI to make better decisions
Adaptability [11:10]
- The importance of adaptability in the face of rapid change
- Using AI to practice situational adaptability
- Simulating scenarios to test your adaptability skills and learn from AI-generated outcomes
Empathy [15:17]
- The crucial role of empathy in human interactions
- Utilizing AI to improve your ability to understand others' emotions and perspectives
- Practicing empathy with AI-generated promptsCommunication [00:22:41]
- The challenges of effective communication in an ever-changing landscape
- How generative AI can help improve your writing and communication skills
- The importance of critically thinking about your inputs and outputs when using AI for communication
Conclusion
As you reflect on all this, it's important to emphasize that the combination of AI and human skills is a powerful force. AI should be used as a tool to enhance your abilities which requires you to bring your unique creativity and humanity to the table.
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In this conversation, I chat with Todd Moran, the Chief Learning Strategist at NovoEd about the future of learning experience. We talked about their evoloution and how NovoEd is changing the game by creating personalized learning journeys.
We delved into the importance of human interaction in learning and how tech like NovoEd is using cohort-based learning to drive engagement and create a sense of community among learners. We also discussed the importance of integrating with other HR systems to streamline learning and development and improve data accuracy.
We also touched on the power of storytelling in learning and how to leverage it to create more engaging and memorable experiences for learners. We also talked about the critical first steps organizations can take to get started with personalized learning and the importance of picking a critical program to start with.
Overall, it was a great conversation, and I highly recommend giving it a listen if you're interested in the future of learning experiences.
Show Notes:
Introduction (00:00:00 - 00:01:30)
- Christopher and Todd introduce themselves and the purpose of the podcast
- They discuss how companies can better engage their employees and upskill their workforce
Challenges of Traditional Learning (00:03:30 - 00:10:30)
- Christopher and Todd talk about the limitations of traditional learning methods and how they fail to engage employees effectively
- They discuss the importance of a human-centered approach to learning and development
The Future of Learning (00:15:00 - 00:23:00)
- Christopher and Todd talk about how the pandemic has accelerated the need for digital learning solutions
- They discuss the importance of personalized and adaptive learning experiences
The Role of Learning Experience Platforms (00:28:00 - 00:35:00)
- Christopher and Todd discuss the benefits of learning experience platforms (LXPs) and how they differ from traditional learning management systems (LMSs)
- They talk about the importance of integrating LXPs with other HR systems
Overcoming Resistance to Change (00:42:00 - 00:49:00)
- Christopher and Todd discuss the challenges of implementing new learning technologies and overcoming resistance to change
- They talk about the importance of involving employees in the process and demonstrating the benefits of new technologies
Measuring the Impact of Learning (00:53:00 - 01:00:00)
- Christopher and Todd talk about the importance of measuring the impact of learning programs and how to do so effectively
- They discuss the need for open data systems and the ability to integrate learning data with other HR systems
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/learningtechtalks/support
In this podcast, I'll dive deep into the world of generative AI and what it means for the future of work. We'll explore how this technology is changing the way we approach our jobs and how it has the potential to revolutionize the way we work in the future.
But, with great power comes great responsibility, and that's where we come in as learning and development professionals. It's up to us to help our teams understand this technology and use it to their advantage while also being aware of the potential risks and pitfalls that come with it.
And, as I touched on in the episode, this topic is not just relevant to the learning and development field but to the larger ongoing workforce trends in the world. With the rise of automation and digital transformation, it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve and be prepared for the coming changes.
So, let's embrace the power of generative AI while also being mindful of the responsibilities that come with it. By doing so, we can help create a brighter future for ourselves, our teams, and the world of work as a whole.
The Rise of Generative AI (0:00 - 9:30)
- Christopher explains what generative AI is and why it's important.
- Discusses the growth of generative AI in the workforce.
- Emphasizes the potential benefits and concerns of this technology.
Preparing for Generative AI (9:30 - 21:20)
- Christopher discusses the need for businesses to start preparing for generative AI now.
- Provides examples of how generative AI can be used in the workplace.
- Discusses the importance of upskilling and re-skilling employees to work with generative AI.
Managing Concerns and Misuse (21:20 - 30:15)
- Christopher talks about common concerns regarding generative AI, such as job displacement.
- Discusses how to manage concerns and prevent misuse of the technology.
- Highlights the importance of training and development in the context of generative AI.
Strategic Workforce Priorities (30:15 - 41:30)
- Christopher discusses how generative AI will impact strategic workforce priorities.
- Emphasizes the need for businesses to be proactive in their approach to generative AI.
- Discusses the importance of using generative AI to improve work processes and skills.
Personal Development (41:30 - 52:30)
- Christopher discusses the potential for generative AI to be used for personal development.
- Provides examples of how generative AI can be used to improve critical business skills.
- Emphasizes the need for individuals to take advantage of this technology for their own benefit.
Overall, this episode covers the rise of generative AI in the workforce and provides insights on how businesses and individuals can prepare for and manage the impact of this technology. Christopher emphasizes the need for proactive approaches to upskilling and re-skilling, managing concerns and misuse, and using generative AI to improve work processes and personal development.
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Join me and my guest, Sean Adams, as we dive into the world of interactive tutorials and explore how they can level up performance improvement in today's dynamic workforce. We chat about the advantages of interactive tutorials over traditional training methods and how they're transforming the way organizations approach learning and development. So, buckle up for an episode jam-packed with practical insights and valuable tips on boosting your organization's L&D game!
Show Notes:
[00:02:00] Interactive Tutorials 101
- Sean shares his journey into the interactive tutorials space and what sparked his passion.
- We discuss the pain points of traditional training and how interactive tutorials can overcome them.
[00:12:00] Turbocharge Performance with Interactive Tutorials
- Discover how interactive tutorials can elevate employee performance.
- We share real-world examples of industries and organizations that have reaped the benefits of interactive tutorials.
[00:26:00] Knowledge Democracy and Streamlining Learning
- The significance of making knowledge accessible and easy-to-digest for employees.
- How interactive tutorials can complement digital adoption platforms and other tools in your arsenal.
[00:40:00] Tackling Workplace Burnout with Efficient Support
- Let's talk about combating employee burnout in the modern workplace.
- The positive impact of providing quick and accessible support to your team members.
[00:52:00] Kicking Off Your Interactive Tutorial Journey
- Tips on how organizations can start using interactive tutorials without feeling overwhelmed.
- Identifying FAQs and key areas of need to create laser-focused tutorials.
[00:57:00] Harnessing and Sharing Knowledge within Your Organization
- Challenges organizations face when team members leave or shift roles.
- The perks of fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Conclusion:So, folks, don't miss out on this fascinating conversation that will leave you inspired and ready to tap into the potential of interactive tutorials. Tune in and find out how to unleash the power of interactive tutorials for performance improvement and make your organization more efficient, engaged, and knowledgeable - especially in the context of ongoing global workforce trends.
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Clean your space, clear your mind.
A tidy house can serve as a great analogy for various aspects of life. As someone who spends a significant amount of time maintaining order in a household of nine, this analogy often comes to mind.
Similarly, in large organizations, organizing and managing skills can be a daunting task. It involves identifying various skills, bridging gaps, and keeping track of progress, all of which can be a nightmare if not approached strategically. The cost of neglecting this aspect of organizational development can be immense, yet many organizations struggle to gain a firm grasp on their skill management and organization.
By taking a page from the book of tidy homes, organizations can prioritize skill development and organization to drive growth and success.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m excited to bring back Kristy McCann Flynn from SkillCycle. Together we’ll delve into the common challenges faced by organizations around skills. We’ll also unpack their unique approach to workforce development and how its four tenets aim to address the existing gaps in the learning and development space.
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Is the phrase “new normal” a permanent declaration used to accept the status quo or can a “normal” ever be established?
In our existential quest for stability and predictability, the constant flux and instability of life can be exhausting.
Business leaders often tout constant change as the key to long-term success, but when it comes to learning, this ideology is not as clear-cut. The urge to continuously switch up our software and learning design may bring short-term benefits, but what if these gains ultimately result in a net loss in the long run?
These are crucial questions to consider as we strive to strike a balance between progress and stability.
In this Learning Tech Talks I have the pleasure of chatting with Patrick Flanagan from Administrate. Together, we'll delve into the challenges organizations face that constantly switch between learning platforms and explore an often-overlooked solution: forming a long-term partnership with a provider. Is this the strategy that has the ability to create a sense of normal for our learners given the instability in our world?
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Is emotional intelligence (EI) something that can be learned and strengthened or is it an inborn characteristic?
Attempting to answer this false dichotomy would only make me look foolish.
I’ve had the opportunity to witness transformative EI growth in the many teams I’ve worked with over the years; however, there are s ome who must work harder than others. More often than not, many have an inborn characteristic but don’t have the ability to recognize it.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m hosting Pianpian Xu Guthrie from Amotions, Inc. to dig deeper into EI and go beyond simple definitions to discuss its application for learning leaders as they formulate instructional design to achieve goals and capitalize on efficiencies.
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How much undocumented knowledge and skills exists in your organization?
Maybe you haven’t heard of tribal knowledge, but this is a dangerous force commonly found in many organizations.
The obvious solution is to try to capture that knowledge. However, an often missed step in that process is to efficiently organize and store that information, connect that knowledge to skills, and ultimately connect the individual employees that manage it.
What is your organization doing to capture tribal knowledge?
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, I have the privilege to host David Landreth from Augmentir to talk about the connected worker and how organizations are digitizing their workforce from “hire to retire” and to walk through that process and investigate some of the insights and opportunities that are available in a smarter connected collaboration.
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Has anyone found that their ‘highly personalized’ digital learning experience is somewhat ‘highly impersonal’?
Do you think personalization has been over-marketed or misunderstood?
Personally, I would argue it’s a little of both. Learning leaders are often guilty of having unrealistic expectations for their software deployment and regularly overlook the necessary infrastructure for high retention and adoption. Leaders need to espouse the software experience, and it is integral that everyone that is part of the value chain does too. How do we ensure that all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together?
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, I have the privilege to host Krishna Dunthoori, Founder and CEO of Apty, to talk about the value of DAPs in 2023 and to find out where most organizations are on their journey of digital adoption and discuss some of the observable successes and failures of adoption and what strategies can be employed to create personalized and scalable solutions that work.
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What are some personal items that you maintain on a regular basis?
For a lot of people, it’s their car. I tend to dance a fine line between proactive and reactive maintenance on our family vehicles. I don’t particularly enjoy active maintenance as some people do, but I know that if I take care of things by spending the time and money, in the long run, my investment is significantly greater than starting over multiple times.
For most of my audience, I don’t really have to sell employee development. We all know the enormous benefits that it provides, yet I still find colleagues struggling with retaining talent and maintaining engagement with their teams. Is employee development something that is often said but not espoused?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I have to privilege to host Ben Brooks from PILOT Inc. to dig deeper into the world of employee development and unwind some of the buzzwords by taking a closer look at some of the more pragmatic strategies that provide impact for organizations and stakeholders alike in a simple and effective way.
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"There's so much room for activities!" - Brennan Huff (Step Brothers, 2008)
Engagement is so much more than a like, share, or private message. As we navigate the future of work, we continue to look for opportunities to maximize engagement in a way that develops authentic relationships and is effective at connecting team members in a remote setting.
Corporate team activities and outings have long been the eye role of anyone who isn't organizing them, or the token suck-up. However, they do work. Even if its only function is to create a common enemy. What sort of remote activities have you hosted or participated in that has blossomed a remote connection?
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks I'm joined by Jordi Figols from Remote Boost to get a bird's eye view of some of the creative ways that organizations can formulate authentic relationships through a multitude of virtual activities and to gain insight into the interpersonal strategies learning leaders employ to engage their teams in a creative and exciting way.
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2023 is well underway, and I'm happy to announce that microlearning is STILL a relevant conversation!
Haven’t bought into the microlearning wave yet?
When I first started researching platforms, it took me some time to digest some of the pragmatic use cases. During a conversation, someone mentioned that the experiences that resonated with them were the ones the felt the same as all of the other apps they use on a day-to-day basis. Bingo.
Learning applications need to feel AND function familiar to users for increased retention and adoption. What’s familiar to me may not be familiar with my team or company culture. Do your research, quantify familiar, and take action to create results.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm catching up with Kate Udalova from 7taps Microlearning to talk about some of the vast changes in the space and with their product since our chat in 2021 and what the outlook for microlearning is moving forward with it's easy-to-digestits learning content that caters to users in a wide range of ways that promotes learning on something that feels familiar and not something they’re forced to deal with.
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The journey continues!
There's no shortage of trends in our industry. Some are new; some are rebranded flavors of things past.
While it's never advisable to chase a trend simply because it's a trend or because someone else is doing it, there is value in knowing what they are and their implications.
Unfortunately, a lot of information skims the surface without the necessary depth to consider thoughtfully whether the trends fit your situation.
In an effort to help, this Learning Tech Talks is the second in a two-part mini-series on 10 of the most notable trends we should be considering as learning and talent leaders in 2023.
Hopefully, you'll find this helpful as you consider your plans and investments in the coming year.
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There's no shortage of trends in our industry. Some are new; some are rebranded flavors of things past.
While it's never advisable to chase a trend simply because it's a trend or because someone else is doing it, there is value in knowing what they are and their implications.
Unfortunately, a lot of information skims the surface without the necessary depth to consider thoughtfully whether the trends fit your situation.
In an effort to help, this Learning Tech Talks is the first in a two-part mini-series on 10 of the most notable trends we should be considering as learning and talent leaders in 2023.
Hopefully, you'll find this helpful as you consider your plans and investments in the coming year.
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Skills.
In the famous words of Inigo Montoya, “I do not think it means what you think it means.”
Like many other trendy buzzwords, people often say the same words but mean very different things.
Given their significance and the critical role L&D plays, we must be clear on the definitions, their implications across the talent spectrum, and the specific impact on our operations.
To start the year, I’m hosting an ad-hoc Learning Tech Talks covering all of the above and more. As we embark on the new year, there’s no better time to revisit our strategies and ensure they're aligned with one of the most significant opportunities of our time.
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Last week's session just wasn't enough time.
The effort to support folks dealing with a job loss, potential upcoming loss, or even struggling with the overall uncertainty in their current role continues.
The first session focused primarily on skill development, staying relevant, and networking as an L&D professional.
This week, the focus is on standing out and navigating seemingly impossible and defeating application processes. I'll also highlight some watch-outs that may inadvertently hinder your success.
Additionally, I'll share some of what I believe are the best skills you can develop to shine in an interview.
While far from a guaranteed playbook for success, I hope people find this two-part Learning Tech Talks mini-series helpful.
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I've recently seen and heard from an unfortunate number of folks in my network about the loss, or potential loss, of a job.
Even many securely in their positions are questioning their stability and planning for the worst.
With global economic uncertainty and many companies attempting to get their bearing, I predict it's a trend we'll see for a while.
To help people through this turbulent time, I captured some of the experience I've gleaned over the years and my perspective as an L&D hiring manager.
While there was originally an intended break in content planned, this seemed important enough to supersede the original plan.
While far from a guaranteed playbook for success, I hope people find this two-part Learning Tech Talks mini-series helpful.
In part one, the focus is on best practices and considerations for building skills, staying relevant, and networking as an L&D professional.
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“I’m confidently competent in constructing critical core criteria and capable in connecting conditional constraints with care,” said the alliterating learning leader during their annual review.
Learning and competency assessment is, well, complicated. The biggest challenge lies within the burden of proof. Streamlining evidence-based assessment at scale is still something L&D often overlooks as a result of its traditional format and application in specific sectors.
I predict as we continue to experience a remote work shakedown, we will see more evidence-based assessment tools to validate our roles.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm hosting Japman Bajaj from Vametric to go deeper into assessment tools and what sort of applications learning leaders can take from them and their potential to shape the future of L&D.
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“People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint” – Steve Jobs
The advent of presentation software brought us out of the dark ages from the classic overhead projector that had been used for decades. Anyone remember those?
However, much like other early digital transformations, it became a blessing and a curse. The ease of use built an overdependency on cut-and-paste creation with little intentionality.
Without continual improvement and progress in software design, will slide decks become the overhead projector of our era?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm talking with David Warren from Prezi to explore the past, the present, and the future of presentation software and how to push boundaries that balance usability with cutting-edge technology and advanced capabilities to engage learning in the #futureofwork.
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Interactive content is an expectation from users.
Static video won’t cut it in the #futureoflearning.
Digital learning has historically relied preponderantly on the logic of passive consumption. The key for learning leaders today is identifying interactive opportunities within the scope of industry parameters and then designing and creating them.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm reconnecting with John Hudson and Tiera Ellis from LUMA1 to learn more about their journey with interactive content and how it has influenced their drive to push learning further and faster to help organizations hone their learning strategies and stay on pace in the #futureofwork.
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Recommendations are everything.
Good or bad, recommendations fuel the discovery of new ideas, compound preexisting knowledge, or challenge pre-existing assumptions.
Stop and think about your life and how many things have come based on a recommendation. When it comes to learning, recommendations are key to building a sustainable learning culture.
With content on the brink of oversaturation, how do we scale recommendations on a personalized level that is effective and transformative to a work culture?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm teaming up with up with Phil Purver and Jari Järvelä from Valamis to tackle what a learning ecosystem looks like for the everyday learner and what tools learning leaders can utilize for data-driven learning to recommend success for everyone.
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“How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” ~Dr. Suess
The conference season is here. The holiday season will be here before you know it. Before you know it, we’ll be stepping into 2023.
In our industry, we talk about not being order takers, but that requires a clear plan before the proverbial “stuff” hits the fan.
There’s no time like the present to wrap our heads around all the lessons we’ve learned over the past few years.
Add to that, the technical landscape, while familiar, looks very different than it did even six months ago.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’ll be flying solo to share reflections, insights, and perspectives while answering questions about the current landscape and what it means for us as developers of talent. At a time when the business, people, and technology lens is all directly focused on the work we do, there’s no better time to capitalize on the opportunity to be a strategic voice at the table.
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How do you tell a story?
Some of my most formative learning experiences have come from someone else’s story.
A story is nothing more than an account of a real person with a real experience.
How a story is perceived is rather subjective. Everything from the medium that a story is shared to the language used to detail an account can influence a learner's understanding of the moral.
How do we, as learning leaders, ensure that our stories are shared with consistent understanding?
On tomorrow’s Learning Tech Talks, I’m having another conversation with Carl Hodler from StoryTagger to check in on some of the newest features of the platform and explore the insights that can be observed as L&D continues to see a growing trend of user-generated micro-content and what can be expected as the medium continues to progress in ways that have yet to be discovered.
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Does anyone ever wish that they could create change magically?
It sure would be a lot easier to put on a sorcerer’s hat to create change and influence with the flick of the wrist and have immediate results.
However, if the sorcerer’s apprentice taught us anything, it’s that effective change doesn’t magically happen.
Dreams of grandeur can influence our ability to make change a reality. Change happens with wisdom, strategy, and methodical insights. Change takes more than a flick of the wrist.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm talking with Larry Mohl from Rali about how to effectively create change with technology that is available to leaders and what sort of keys it takes to drive the engine to a common goal throughout an organization.
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Does the employee experience matter in 2022?
I assumed it has always mattered and will indefinitely!
Different organizations value and prioritize the employee experience differently. The key takeaway, however, is organizations that excel at it get the talent, retain the talent, and continue to have a strategic competitive advantage in the market.
While hybrid work has changed what this looks like, and many have struggled to find the right formula, does it really matter?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm catching up with Nicky Hoyland from Huler to dissect the definition of employee experience and talk about the role EXPs have in the #futureofwork. We'll also explore some of the stats and numbers that help streamline workflows and engage teams in their ultimate effort to make work human again.
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What makes a good leadership cohort?
Do I have any cohort strategists out there?
I imagine there are a lot of valid arguments for what makes a good cohort, but I think a better question to ask is, what would make a bad leadership cohort?
Simply grouping individuals together for peer-to-peer discussion is not enough to produce engaging, effective, and long-lasting outcomes. Strategy and methodology are how we assemble strong cohorts and build better leaders.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm sitting around a virtual campfire with my friend Megan Galloway from Campfire to dive into how best to assemble effective leadership cohorts and how to continually build strength in leadership with an authentic and relevant experience that gives everyone a voice.
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Innovation is a process.
Innovation is also something that many fear more often than they’d like to admit. This can sometimes hinder our ability to accept change and embrace a new generation that looks different than our own.
Remember, not all of our predecessors embraced the change that we brought with us.
Use Esports as a modern-day case. Organizations that aren’t quick to embrace change often fall behind while the winds of change blow past them.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I bring back Michael Ioffe from Arist to talk about the emerging trends coming out of forward-thinking LMS platforms that embrace tech that resonates differently with a new generation of learners and how organizations are finding success in ways previously unthinkable.
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How often are privacy, security, customization, and configuration a part of the conversation on your learner's journey?
Looking back at the past few years at some of the large-scale misuses of personal data collection, I can’t help but include security and data collection in my conversations with enterprise vendors more frequently.
We all love AI. AI needs data to effectively do its job. The more a learning system needs, the clearer data privacy and security objectives need to be. It’s not something that has always been in the front of my brain, but I suspect it’s a conversation here to stay in the #futureofwork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Rob Porter from CoSo Cloud, LLC to continue the conversation about security in 2022 concerning cloud-based learning solutions and what questions learning leaders should be having with vendors with the increasing importance for organizations to secure and protect sensitive data for their learners.
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Will YouTube ever be a thing of the past?
It’s been some time since we’ve talked about content on this show. How is everyone holding up with their current enterprise content manager (ECM)?
Today’s learners are now comfortable and accustomed to viewing virtual content. Their expectations and their ability to engage is predicated on their historical content consumption.
Is there an argument to be made that viewing a learning video on the same platform that hosts videos of silly cats and laughing babies may be less effective?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Michael Guastamacchio from MediaZilla to discuss enterprise video delivery and how to create a strategic advantage with content for teams and consumers alike through a smooth, slick, and highly professional client experience.
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The blank stare of death. Anyone else been there?
You’re new to a company or learning new software, and suddenly, you become paralyzed by the anxiety and mental exhaustion of what to do next.
I remember teaching my brother how to use our family Gateway 2000 computer. I knew if I just told him what to do, he’d run back into my room 5 minutes later and ask for help. KNOCK PLEASE!
Eventually, I found he learned much better if I stood over him and guided his hand on where to click through the processes.
It’s weird to think of DAPs as a big brother guiding you to proficiency, but I can’t help but draw a correlation with their effectiveness over static learning methods.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m bringing it with Luke Talbot from Userlane to talk about what makes a good DAP platform and what learning leaders need to know as the demand and market for these products increase, and how to use them to their best ability to deploy, engage, and accelerate their software adoption in the future of work.
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while ( ! (succeed = try() ) );
It used to bother me that my coding abilities were rather lacking compared to some of my peers. Coding can be intimidating for reskillers, yet tons of creative minds have much high-level to offer in software development.
My confidence was boosted when a colleague told me, “Do what you do best and outsource the rest.”
In the future of work, a lot of coding will be done by dedicated professionals, with high level code available on a multitude of easy-to-use platforms. What this looks like concerning AR/VR and the Metaverse is still being navigated, and look forward to it.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Rajesh Jha from SimInsights Inc. to talk about how users can directly publish immersive and interactive training content that gives learners a strategic advantage while delivering an immediate ROI.bothered
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Just because we work in the field of skills doesn’t mean we’re immune from having to develop our next generation of skills. If anything, there’s an even greater need to stay ahead of the curve to ensure we can keep pace with the rest of the organization.
A quick Google search demonstrates there’s no shortage of blogs, research articles, and graphics highlighting what skills we and others believe need to be developed.
Unfortunately, too few provide broader context around the need to change and the barriers often contributing to the lack of desire for change.
There’s also a particular nuance to what those new skills may look like depending on the role within an L&D function. After all, an L&D professional isn’t universal. There’s a diverse portfolio of roles within the ever-expanding L&D function.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m flying solo to talk about how the significant changes to business and technology directly impact our work and how those changes translate to the need to grow and evolve our existing skills. I’ll also address directly how some of the changes can be perceived as threats but better leverage the higher-order skills we enjoy.
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YOU are more capable of acquiring skills and unlocking potential than you think you are.
Can’t is a simple contraction I’m not very familiar with. One echo chamber I’ve noticed lately is the confidence of individuals whom I surround myself with regarding their adaptability and learning.
I believe this to be a positive thing, but I’m also aware of the blind spot in my perception as others around me may not have the confidence in themselves to learn and adapt to new skills.
How, as learning leaders, do we identify and encourage confidence in learners to believe in themselves to acquire new skills regularly?
Tomorrow on Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Rashim Mogha from Skillsoft to talk about confidence in learning and how a next-gen learning experience that is personalized, immersive, and accessible to anyone has the potential to transform the workforce faster and prepares today’s learners for the skills of tomorrow.
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Does anyone think that it’s time to slowly retire the buzzword “Gamification” from the L&D industry?
Just to clarify, I’ve used this term liberally to describe organizations providing creative digital solutions in the enterprise learning space.
There are some fantastic products, AND some not so fantastic. Organizations that have created a sustainable competitive advantage are ones that don’t focus too heavily on virtual Band-Aids, but create a continual experimental, multiplatform solution to continually move forward and produce results.
Effective progress comes from a change in our language to describe what is in front of us and not the same thing in a repetitive echo chamber.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Dan White from Filament Games to talk about the value of staying curious as an educational game developer and how to create playful experiences that improve people’s lives and delivery through whatever medium is best.
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Where is AI today and where is AI headed for the future?
I think I speak for many that it's a word that has been absorbed into our vocabulary even though we don't all mean the same thing.
That leaves an opportunity for a continual dialogue regarding AI in the corporate space as definitions and applications vary greatly among different products and markets.
Unfortunately, a lot of noise and blind ambition can have the ability to overshadow strong organizations with an impactful product that effectively creates change in the workplace with AI.
In this Learning Tech Talks, Kian Katanforoosh from Workera joins me again to go deeper into their AI solutions and provide clarity on the benefits and applications it has in a forward learning culture.
We'll also get some Workera updates and talk about some of the successes and challenges that they’ve faced since we last talked and possibly where the future of AI is headed from the company’s perspective.
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Where could your team be in a month if everyone improved every single week?
I ask myself this question daily, and I’m constantly looking for ways to improve myself and others in a positive and uplifting way.
As learning leaders, this task is often easier said than done, particularly at scale. There is an everyday sludge between you and the things you’re trying to do that makes this challenging.
What are some ways that you remind yourself and others of the goals and changes you want to see?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m talking with Leslie Caputo from Humu to learn how to move from intention to action and how ‘nudges’ build habits that help accomplish your most important goals and to develop the behaviors and skills proven to drive mission-critical outcomes.,
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"Are we there yet?"
A common question hurled aimlessly from the back seat of our family hauler once the excitement of a long journey has worn off and boredom has set in.
It sometimes feels like we are in that part of the journey for AR/VR. The excitement is starting to fade, and the reality that we have a long way to go is making the progress we are experiencing today feel slow.
I imagine people who saw the vision for the internet in the 90’s felt that too.
On this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Dr Alexander Young from Virti to talk about his journey as a surgeon, who encountered countless real-world high-pressure scenarios, and his vision to make those situations and others available to learners to best prepare for their roles using cognitive decision-making research combined with immersive video.
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Does anyone remember taking a keyboarding class? Mavis Beacon and I go way back.
Typing is a learned skill many developed in the classroom that allowed us to function as adults.
However, editing audio/video wasn’t something my generation was ever taught in school. There are technical aspects that my children know better than I do.
Given content creation plays a vital role in the workplace and as learning leaders, how are we making editing easy and accessible to everyone equally?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m hanging out with Jeff Rozic from Descript to talk about how they're taking the technical aspects of a/v editing and making it as simple as editing a Word document. All this to help content creators create faster with more professional results.
As a user, I'm also excited to hear about their big update being released this week and hopefully get some details on their complete redesign.
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In the last five seasons of the Premier Football League, there was an average of 2.74 goals scored per game. In a 90-minute match, teams grind for roughly 30 minutes before they accomplish their goal of getting the ball in the opponent's net.
Everyone goes insane.
Can you imagine having that kind of energy pouring into you and your team when you accomplish a goal? Maybe you can, but it’s just a matter of perspective.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Michael Kester from Lead Belay to talk about what it means to take leaders to a higher level of thinking and give them the keys to unlock their own confidence to lead while helping others climb to provide support, guidance, and feedback as they ascend.
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How does your learning technology leverage your spatial cognitive ability to lead learners effectively?
Problems surrounding spatial ability with regard to learning performance have been the focus of many learning technology debates over the years.
However, the conversation is almost exclusively centered around the learner with little attention given to leaders and instructors.
There is an underlying expectation for leaders to inherently understand and be proficient with the tech that we are provided with. Spatial ability needs to be a two-way street for both the instructor and learner to provide sustainable learning in the #futurowork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm excited to meet with Chris Olson from Class to hear more about some of the concerns and solutions for instructors as they seek to change the way the world learns and address some of the remaining band-aids from the pandemic and how to leverage existing tools to meet the needs of both the instructor and learner effectively and efficiently.
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“Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backward” – Aldous Huxley
I’ve often wondered about the rate of change with regards to learning technology and solutions.
Somewhat analogous to Moore’s Law of Computing, ideally humans should have some formula that demonstrates how technology increases our ability to learn better and faster.
With the advent of AI and data processing, the ability to consistently track learning programs should provide us with this information, and it is our duty as learning leaders to leverage that information for continual progress.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m catching up with my friend Judy Albers from Area9 Lyceum to talk about an academic approach to learning that is grounded in years of research enabling organizations to create a high-impact transformative learning experience that allows learners to achieve their full potential through a truly personalized experience.
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How do you know that you know what you know?
How do we as learning leaders distinguish justified beliefs shared by our colleagues, and formed by ourselves, from opinion?
There are varying degrees of confidence that we all have within different areas of our lives and as we navigate our careers. It's not only important to continually review our levels of confidence in key areas, but also in others as you seek to create a high-performing culture.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with Josh Kamrath from Bongo about how video assessment can bridge the gap and help organizations facilitate their journey to find out what stakeholders know in their respective positions.
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Keep calm, I have the meeting notes for that.
Something I’ve observed while navigating different roles in my career is that highly effective teams are incredibly organized and efficient with their meetings. Like, crazy organized.
I can’t say this is something that I always appreciated, in fact, early in my career it was something that I resented. Documentation is the lifeblood of a sustainable team and is unfortunately often overlooked entirely or not prioritized by members equally.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm chatting with Darren Chait, Co-Founder and COO of Hugo, about how streamlining meeting documentation and planning connects meetings to their team and to the tools that are used daily to provide a bottom-up and decentralized decision-making environment with the goal of making every meeting more productive.
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Dear Past, thank you for all of the lessons.
Dear Future, I’m ready for you!
While not directly on the topic of L&D, I occasionally delve into some of the broader workplace technology that has significant potential for our industry.
The ability to collaboratively connect and facilitate live conversations and share knowledge with industry leaders across the globe and reach people wherever they are is futuristic and something that was unthinkable a short time ago and often taken for granted.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with 🎬 Anya Razina from Restream about the obstacles and opportunities we face as video traffic continues to grow and how to leverage live video as a way to cut through the noise and create meaningful content while connecting with others.
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“My flying has been mostly solo, but the preparation for it wasn’t.” - Amelia Earhart
Humility is something I would argue every successful entrepreneur and business leader has a firm understanding of.
You can fly great distances in your career, but to be successful in your aspirations there has to be a team behind you AND in front of you.
Learn continuously and create continuous learning opportunities for maximum impact today and in the future.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with Taylor Blake from Learn In to hear more about their journey across the learning ocean. We'll be digging into their three “I’s” of learning (Intensively, Intentionally, and Inclusively) and highlight how to build bridges for learners one skill gap at a time.
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“There is a lot of talk about all the jobs are going to all go away, which probably won’t happen, but it’s also not true that there won’t be an impact” - Stacia Garr, Berkley Haas Interview with Prof. Greg La Blanc.
It seems like every day I’m reading fear-mongering headlines about AI taking jobs away.
Leadership has started to come around to the idea that replacing human capital with AI can create as many problems as it aims to solve when done wrong, but how do we use research to avoid the panic and see the future before it hits.
After all, AI is a supplement, not a replacement. Stop worrying, YOU have a job in the #futureofwork! It just looks different than it does today.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with Stacia Sherman Garr, Co-founder and Principal Analyst of RedThread Research, to talk about ways organizations can identify insights for acquiring skills and proactively develop strategies to retrain the technologically changing workforce that celebrates heterogeneity and values employee's livelihood over temporary profits.
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Like a learning culture, your tech ecosystem already exists. It's growing and changing, with or without your input.
Lots of choices didn't include your requirements, and there are plenty of things you wish it did that it does not.
But, there is something, and that's a start.
The real question is, where do you go from here?
Now the fun begins as you layer what your ecosystem should look like and place it over where you are now in order to refine and shape what you need.
You'll also want to pack some heavy gear since we'll be exploring outside the lanes of traditional L&D tech and into the tools where work is getting done today.
For this Learning Tech Talks, I'm flying solo to talk through this complicated mess with hopes to help set you on a better trajectory, ultimately leading to measurably improving your employee experience.
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Personal and professional growth is only achieved when another person is with you on your journey.
Individualism is in, but success isn’t found on an island.
As much as we try to figure things out on our own, every success is found with the help and interaction with others.
Mentorship is often sold as a solution with false prospects of gleaning wisdom solely by interaction. For mentorship to function as a tool for success, it needs to serve something, but there’s more to it than that.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm gleaning wisdom from Omer Glass, CEO and Co-founder of GrowthSpace, and talking about some of his successes and failures throughout his journey and how he is on a mission to impact one million people by democratizing collaborative development that provides professional growth that is real, reliable, and relevant.
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As learning leaders, it's easy to get tunnel vision.
We spend so much time creating efficiencies for others that we often forget to create efficiencies for ourselves and our own teams.
It's something I have to continually remind myself of when working with high-performing leaders in a constantly changing and fast-paced environment.
Using data as a way to challenge me continually has become an increasingly go-to in my strategic arsenal.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm talking about working harder and equally smarter with Ryan Austin from Synapse and how to create efficiencies for L&D teams with streamlined data through their Purpose-Built platform that gives leaders real-time results to understand insights and adapt to their discoveries in the #futureofwork.
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The evolution of corporate learning has shifted.
A learner’s reality is built through the senses, which convey perception to the mind.
Additionally, reflection works with those perceptions to form ideas. Our senses are a fundamental function of learning, and how we harness and utilize it as learning leaders is critical to our success.
VR is allowing us to convey perceptions through the sense in a revolutionary way and has the potential to be a powerful learning tool in the #futureofwork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m altering realities with Guido Helmerhorst from Warp VR to discuss where VR fits in the L&D tech stack and how organizations are adopting the technology and some of the successes AND failures that have come with it.
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The need to think about and design for the broader employee experience is real, but it isn’t new.
People weren’t clamoring for a narrow but slightly refreshed piece of digital content buried in an LMS. Then suddenly, the world changed. The conversation has been happening since long before entering the industry.
What’s the problem?
Some would point the finger at stakeholders. Some would point to a lack of access to tools or technology. Others might look around the room at their colleagues. A handful might take a hard look in the mirror. In reality, it’s a complicated mix of all that and more. So, what can we do as an industry to transition from IDs to XDs?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m veering off the usual path for a special practitioner episode with my friend Kason Morris about this complex challenge and what we can do to solve it.
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Education as a benefit is an effective way to attract talent.
Unfortunately, many employer education benefits are unintentionally discriminatory in their design by assuming employees have the means to cover costs and wait to be reimbursed.
Moreso, we are finding that employees that are already educated have more access to education, and a large chunk of the American workforce is left out of this equation.
As learning leaders, we have an obligation to our learners to provide the necessary tools to complete their job, but also to provide opportunities for learners to excel beyond their role and place in the workforce.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with familiar face Matthew Daniel over at Guild Education about creating economic and talent mobility in communities by providing higher education to front-line workers.
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Apologies for my stadium audio...I limited my talking as much as possible, but JD Dillon sound fantastic
Will society ever return to normal post-pandemic?
It’s hard to say without society being post-pandemic yet, but I hope not.
We’ve had an opportunity to learn a lot over the last two years, and it would be unfortunate if all those lessons faded in an attempt to return to the way things were.
I believe the attention brought to front-line workers was much needed and here to stay and hope the learning strategies employed during the pandemic successfully continue without the pandemic demand.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with show alum JD Dillon from Axonify to revisit previous conversations from the last couple years through the optimistic lens of a post-pandemic society.
We'll highlight how managers have learned and adapted with their teams and walk through some of the successes and failures that L&D pushed through and ways that we can continue to innovate in the space for the #futureofwork.
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Work is changing; people are changing; technology is changing. And, the state of things continues to pour gasoline on the fire. What does it all mean? A lot of things, but one that's consistent is the landscape is rich with opportunity for our field to make a demonstratable impact on the performance of our organizations as well as the performance and well-being of our people. In a last-minute shift, this Learning Tech Talks highlights some of the biggest happenings across all three areas based on a multitude of recent conversations and the latest industry data.
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Effective learning is all about precision.
As billions of VC capital flows into reskilling startups, questions arise for practitioners as they look for the right model and content for their learners.
A generalized blanket is thrown over the word ‘reskill’ and often used to market reskilling to everyone for everything! While I believe a proper framework has been developed, precision reskilling is starting to come into focus, as many find that their specific reskilling needs cannot be met through a one-size-fits-all solution.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m narrowing down reskilling with Kian Katanforoosh, Co-founder and CEO of Workera.ai to separate their approach from available industry solutions with their niche reskilling solution directed towards AI and machine learning through scalable mentorship with a heightened emphasis on learners' preexisting capabilities to drive measurable results and retain top talent.
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Are you leading a digital transformation or a tech refresh?
The semantics matter a lot more today than they did a few years ago. Digital transformation is no longer a competitive advantage, but a competitive necessity.
Leadership wants results from their digital investments, and decisions must be quantified to be understood and accounted for.
Too many learning leaders focus on solutions first and strategy second.
Purchase the license and THEN we’ll figure out how to make the software work for them. Wrong answer. If we want to transform anything moving forward in the #futureofwork it needs to be how we look at problems not how we pay for problems.
In this Learning Tech Talks, Raj Sundarason, author and founder of The DAP Strategist, is joining me to unpack the root meaning of adoption, the layers underneath, and discover how it can redirect guidance for learning leaders by narrowing their focus on the optimization of processes before premature investments in tech.
We'll highlight how to support the "Baby User" and how it pertains to the general outlook for learning leaders as they are rolling out and updating software and applications.
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What is an education without experience?
The argument of ‘education’ vs ‘experience’ is often presented as a false dichotomy. The idea of one being more valuable than the other is something that I don’t believe can ever be universally established at face value.
Education IS experience; however, the application of education is a separate experience that builds on the momentum to create who we are in our respective careers.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m interning with Adam Alpert, CEO & Cofounder of Pangea.app to get a better picture of their platform and what it’s providing for undergraduate and recent graduate students on their learning journey by finding freelance work in their respective studies and getting paid for developing their talent and consequently building a framework for their future careers.
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How is it that in our ever-connected digital world we can still feel disconnected from our teams?
As somewhat of an ambassador for digital learning technology, I’m still waiting for a product that is able to connect me to the same energy I’ve had with in-person teams. I’m not saying it can’t be done virtually as I’ve had some amazing energy with teams that have operated 100% remote.
Yet I can’t help but think about the quality talent that doesn’t function well in a remote environment with the current tech available. With more organizations going remote, what are we doing to best serve these individuals needs to function in a high-performing digital environment?
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m serving a volley to Josh Little, CEO & Founder of Volley to hear more about his passion for communication and how that has changed, for better and for worse, in the #futureofwork.
We'll also see how to help emulate the energy in physical conversations through asynchronous video chats that serve to build team relationships in a more genuine way that also takes up less time but also has the ability to communicate more. I had the pleasure to test out the platform and I’m really excited to dig more into more of the features and functionalities.
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Coaching and mentoring are often used synonymously in the corporate world, but there are some distinct differences between the two.
Mentors often have specialized experience in their field and can say ‘Hey, to be successful at what I do, you need to do xyz’ without the input of the mentee.
Coaches are more intentional in their approach by helping individuals uncover their own knowledge and skills and facilitating coachees to become their own advisors.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m blowing the whistle with Laura Chapin from CoachHub - The digital coaching platform to discuss why digital coaching is all the rage and an important capability in developing the workforce.
We’ll also help make sense of all the noise around digital coaching and talk about how to create sustainable learning and behavioral change in organizations by creating a personalized, measurable and scalable coaching program for the entire workforce.
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The hunt for skills has only just begun.
Investing in skill development has finally gone mainstream over the traditional "hire what we don’t have" approach.
Is this shift in strategy driven by free will or forced demand?
I’m not convinced that the talent pool is shrinking, but rather a new pool has formed and is waiting to be filled. Talent pools were often a naturally occurring phenomenon outside of the workplace and are now something that learning leaders need to develop strategically.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I'm continuing my conversation with Mikaël Wornoo from TechWolf about improving an organization's ability to find and action against the skills of their workforce.
We'll highlight how roles and future roles can be filled without the overhead of traditional methods using AI and NLP to empower every individual, boost HR, and boost business.
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I've seen it too many times. On paper, this 'disruptive' software will save millions, increase productivity, and offer countless benefits from the previous way of doing things. And then it doesn't. GASP!
Top-down management and software don’t always jive well together. It’s more like an interpretive dance. Sweet moves, Zuck! Senior leaders need to make decisions FAST but often overlook implementation and adaptability. Experimenting to find the right balance is often risky and time-consuming. Considering that this happens in every organization at every level you would think we would have this figured out by now.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m talking dad-to-dad with Krishna Dunthoori, founder and CEO of Apty to hear about the digital adoption horror stories that drove him to find a solution to make complicated enterprise software simpler and quicker to adopt.
Building a foundation with on-screen guidance, Krishna continues to work towards solving the deeper-rooted problem of process compliance with a full portfolio of solutions in an all-in-one package to solve unique problems at scale.
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“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” - Arthur C. Clarke
In 1911, Henry Ford won a challenge to the Seldon patent that had been stifling progress in the automotive industry for decades. Moving forward, cross-licensing between manufacturers steamrolled the auto industry to where it is today. In a similar fashion, OpenXR is hopeful in providing standardization and progress necessary for the future of VR. I believe that the progress and adoption of AR/VR within L&D are contingent on information being SHARED and not hoarded as we navigate the #futureofwork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m chatting with Dj Smith, Chief Creative Officer The Glimpse Group, to hear about some of the magic tricks he has for our brains with the group’s portfolio of AR/VR startups that offer everything from learning solutions to data visualization, all while working together as they aim to become the premiere VR/AR Software and Services company with a global footprint.
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In this last-minute pivot, I’m bringing back my good friend Ben Eubanks from Lighthouse Research & Advisory to talk about what you can expect in 2022 and how it will affect the work you do.
We cover everything from personalized flexibility to hybrid work and what it means to learning professionals around the world.
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I’d be a lion if I said that I didn’t take pride in my silly episode puns.
Fancy new L & D products often give a false feeling of, “GREAT! I won’t have to do xyz anymore!”. As learning leaders, we still need to take pride in our work. Many organizations claim to offer a wealth of opportunities to transform your workflow and design. While many do, it still takes continual effort to deliver and transform behavior beyond static information transfer. The fuel of a learning culture NEEDS to be organic for a dynamic learning ignition.
In this episode Learning Tech Talks, I’m curiously joining the pride of the lions, Andrew Barry, Founder & CEO of Curious Lion to paw through his strategy for guiding growing organizations that want to influence learner behavior to prepare them for the future changes and challenges that their role will face. I’m excited to hear more about Curious Lion’s ‘Learning Flywheel’ and chat about the challenges that come with breaking the learning inertia.
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“Meta-design is much more difficult than design; it's easier to draw something than to explain how to draw it.” - Donald Knuth
The metaverse has become a word that everyone seems to be talking about. Facebook name change aside, the metaverse is simply a digital world that looks to bind the power of a compilation of technologies, consisting of AR, VR, and video, and will allow users to work together in a digital world. I’ve had a number of guests on this show that have demonstrated its virtual application to L&D, but I believe we’ve only scratched the surface on the exciting things to come in the hashtag#futureofwork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m connecting with Edward Prentice III, Founder and President of YEP Nation Inc. to learn more about what Yep Nation is doing to pioneer the metaverse within organizations through a private virtual metaverse (PVM) and to discuss the role PVM’s will have in changing the landscape of the digital workplace for learners and workers alike.
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I was really hoping Tigerhall would send me a shirt to wear for this episode, but I’m afraid that my peers might get the impression that I’m a big cat person.
When I was in my early teens, I wasn’t always a team player. I “played” on a team, several actually, but my growth as an individual was limited due to the fact that I was more confident in MY own understanding (I knew everything) and became absorbed and stunted by my own negativity.
But then I got a J-O-B. I soon came to the realization that we are ALL playing on a team in the workplace. By helping others grow through sharing knowledge and expertise, we can win by accomplishing a common goal and hitting our targets.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m learning in with Nellie Wartoft, Founder and CEO of Tigerhall to talk about the trophy that institutional learning holds for career seekers and how Tigerhall is unlocking the power of scalable social learning by democratizing mentorship through real-world ‘thinkfluencers’ that serve to build and develop leadership capabilities and consequentially power, drive and deliver innovation.
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I never thought I’d see the day where technology could create training simulations that were almost indistinguishable from real-world experiences, but here VR!...................But here V R! crickets chirp
Is anyone else as excited for enterprise VR as I am? What a time to be alive as we watch the beginnings of a technology that is going to not only transform L&D, but every aspect of our lives. As with all beginnings, there are failures and It’s more important than ever to be vigilant and skeptical of what enterprise VR can offer to your organization and whether it has the resources and capabilities to provide what they claim to offer.
In this episode, I’m cutting through the virtual fluff with Huw Newton-Hill and Greg Hull from Attensi to dissect their approach to industry solutions and learn more about what they are doing to create impact in their VR training solutions with far-reaching results that are spread throughout all levels of an organization. I’m interested to hear their honest thoughts on the future of VR and what they are doing to continually innovate and subsequently create a long-lasting relationship with their partners.
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My oldest son told me the other day that he wants to become a railroad engineer when he grows up. I told him he's going to need a LOT of training.
I’m pretty vocal about alternatives to traditional higher education. This wasn’t always a very popular opinion. However, I think we live in a time where the idea that college isn’t for everyone has become more accepted as organizations are finding they may have missed talent by having specific education as a prerequisite. Apprenticeships hold their place in history dating as far back as the Middle Ages and we are seeing a strong return to this model in the #futureofwork.
In this episode, I'm apprenticing with Tej Mehta, Strategy & Operations Lead at Multiverse, to learn about how Multiverse is helping organizations fulfill their potential by focusing less on requisites and more on applied learning through professional apprenticeships that can teach and reskill at any age with a focus on skills that will be the forefront of change and define the jobs of tomorrow.
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With little ones around our house, we are constantly on the lookout to make sure they aren’t chewing on any electrical cords. If they do, we are forced to ground them for conducting themselves improperly.
I often remind my kids to take small bites when eating and focus on their chewing to help with digestion. I can’t help but draw a parallel between learning and retention. Consuming too much too quickly takes away from the enjoyment and leaves us feeling lethargic. The benefit of consuming information fast and slow in small and frequent bites largely outweighs the inefficiency of consuming everything at once.
In this episode, bite-sized I'm talking to Eran Heffetz and Tal Almog from Bites about the platform they have created to help organizations create and manage bite sized content that can be scaled across an organization for effective learning that doesn't just focus on onboarding, but an unlimited amount of use cases in a wide range of industry application.
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A few years ago, I had a colleague leave his position to play cello full time in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I’ve been meaning to touch 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘴 with him.
Learning leaders know that managing L&D operations is kind of like conducting an orchestra. The ensemble requirements for an effective department range from data to strategy that combine to meet objectives and keep organizations in rhythm. If you don’t have the right tools you might wind up playing second fiddle.
In this episode, I have an arrangement with Stephan Pineau and Peter Olyarchuk to talk about their expertise in training management systems and how he has used his expertise to build Training Orchestra to be the go-to platform for managing instructor-led training to increase resource use and optimize the training investment for organizations so that they can train more with less.
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“Good teaching is one-quarter preparation and three-quarter theatre” - Gail Goldwin
I don’t know who Gail Goldwin is. Aside from this quote on loads of drop-shipped items, I don’t think this person even exists. Nevertheless, this quote struck a chord with me, as it confronted the often lack of organic theatrics in L&D and how that passion is necessary for effective learning. The workload of design and implementation often overshadows the key ingredient in an engaging blended learning environment.
In this episode, I’m going back to college with Ewoud de Kok to learn about how FeedbackFruits is helping leading universities around the world take back their passion for teaching with their tool suite that organizes interactive and collaborative learning activities, enabling educators to focus more on meaningful interactions that activate higher learning and less on energy leaking tasks.
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I recently heard that Elon Musk has plans to install a cell tower on the moon. Unfortunately, the service would only be 1/6 G. I’m sorry, I can’t help it if people gravitate towards my puns.
Speaking of uncontrollable forces, the average time spent DAILY on a mobile device by users is OVER 4 hours. As a social critic, I find this incredibly alarming. Personal bias aside, I find it unusual with that information why most LMS solutions have mobile accessibility as a second-rate priority. With participation in an industry-wide problem, it would make more sense to meet users where they are already spending their time.
In this episode, I’m talking long distance with JD Dillion, Chief Learning Architect Axonify about the time and investment of training and how Axonify is helping organizations give their frontline managers and learning leaders focused content as fast as possible so that they can stay safe, perform smart, and deliver standout experiences all while providing leaders with robust reporting to connect training with business results.
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What do you suppose would happen if America switched from using pounds to kilograms as a unit of measure? Mass confusion!
‘What gets measured gets done.’ The L&D Industry’s most weighted secret. I wish I had found it earlier in my career. It wasn’t until I understood the obligation to myself, management, and stakeholders to provide actionable insights and expectations within my role that I could flourish and succeed at doing my job to the fullest extent. It’s not rocket science, just often convoluted with trivial pursuits.
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, we are having a ‘mass’ive discussion with Peter Brown and Mark McDaniel, authors of “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” joined in by CEO of Trivie, Lawrence Schwartz, to talk about how they are working in tandem with proven brain-science techniques and artificial intelligence to create and discover long-lasting and engaging learning experiences.
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For years I've been navigating the stormy and ever-changing seas of learning technology. When many steered their ships back to the docks, I found myself pulling up anchor and heading out into the choppy water.
Over time I realized that the conflict in behavior wasn't only because I had a personal affinity for tech but because many didn't feel comfortable or confident in their knowledge or skill in navigating the stormy seas.
As a result, I decided to do something about it and demystify the learning and technology landscape for anyone who would listen.
With the help of Christopher Rainey and the HR Leaders team, I streamed the first Learning Tech Talks two years ago today.
A few months later, I started the Learning Sharks community to continue the conversation and foster an inclusive environment where the discussion around all things learning and learning tech is ongoing.
Two years, 116 episodes, an active, online community later, the adventure continues.
I have learned a great deal more than I ever imagined while simultaneously recognizing my knowledge quest is just beginning.
Join me on Friday as I spend an hour sharing some of my most significant observations and highlight, amidst the noise, the things I feel every learning professional should consider in a special 2-year anniversary episode.
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"You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” Maya Angelou.
It's interesting to think about how amazing podcasts like Learning Tech Talks didn't exist 20 years ago. Even within the last decade, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth in the industry. While "audioblogging" has been around since the '80s and "internet talk radio" in the 90s, the technology was primitive, and its reach was limited. To those of you early adopters, what a time to be alive!
In this episode, I'm podcasting a podcaster with Director of Communications of Podbean, Shannon Martin, and talking about their platform that hosts a wealth of opportunities for publishing and monetization for podcasters everywhere and provides an easy-to-use interface that includes analysis and insight to help businesses communicate their messages and build community.
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Learning has changed and organizations need to adapt rapidly to ensure their current and future solutions deliver learning experiences that are effective and efficient.
Responding to these changes can be challenging, and can often feel like a lonely journey on a long road with no turning.
Having a partner to ‘leg it’ with on your learning journey makes the road go faster and FURTHER on our never-ending voyage on a pathway to create impact. In this Learning Tech Talks, I’m going to hop over the pond to Gavin Woods, Director of Client Services at Aurion Learning to talk about Aurion’s new platform ‘ByteKast LXP’ that helps leaders address the change necessary for organizations handling post-pandemic learning. I’m going to dig into the rationale, intent, and purpose of ByteKast while highlighting the “new age” learning management platforms' intuitive design and its next-level features that create learning that works.
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I recently read an article that robots have started exercising. To build endurance, they are doing circuit training.
Chatbots have come a long way since my ICQ and MSN Messenger days. Granted, most of my conversations at that time with chatbots were juvenile jokes or existential concerns. "Are you real?" It has been fun to watch the technology advance and grow into something more than just a boredom killer to a real tool for organizations to disseminate information more efficiently and effectively.
In this episode, I'm getting a chatbot workout with CEO & co-founder of Mobil Coach, Vincent Han, who created his first chatbot in the 6th grade and has continued to lift his skills to help companies create personalized conversations at scale that facilitate a multitude of critical frontline processes and provides insight to help drive action and give employees the personalized mental strength training they need.
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You’ve got questions about #learning and #talentdevelopment; I’m hoping to provide answers or at least some valuable perspective.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been collecting some of the top questions from practitioners globally.
In this unscripted Learning Tech Talks, I’ll be responding to some of the top questions while taking your questions live.
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I practiced one of my tool puns recently during a meeting with our leadership team. They said it was cutting edge, and I nailed the delivery!
Remote work doesn’t typically involve traditional use tools, but what we lack in brawn, we make up with brains! Technically speaking, a tool is a device to carry out a particular function. I often describe my leadership training as a toolbox of information that I carry with me to function in my role. Unfortunately, some people only have tools to organize and look cool. Guilty!
In this episode, I’m hammering away with CEO & founder Ryan Seamons to learn more about how he is using their Career Cards to helping managers construct conversations with clarity which drives work forward and facilitates positive career journeys for employees while connecting teams with engagement that highlights some of the key positive elements of close interpersonal interactions.
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Television has a way of insulting my intelligence, but nothing rubs it in worse than my computer.
Culture assessment in an organization is about as quick as a glacier. “Oh sure, you need another week to gloss up your deck to ensure effective graphical information retention?” GET IT DONE! I’m only half joking, as there is a tremendous amount of variables and considerations in an intentional culture assessment to successfully create and manage a high-performing team. However, hear me out. Maybe, just maybe, we create more work for ourselves than necessary.
In this episode, I’m tracking down with Juan Betancourt, CEO of Humantelligence, to talk about how he is helping organizations find measurable data for their team members to help align and optimize motivators and ideal environments to create analytics that facilitates decision making so that we can understand exactly who needs to be where and how to get them to accelerate with their peers.
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People are re-evaluating their priorities, resulting in a historic number stepping away from their jobs in what’s being called The Great Resignation.
That leaves companies desperately working to retain the talent they have while scrambling to build or buy the skills needed to sustain and innovate their business.
This has rocketed career and skill development to a higher level than ever before, with business and HR leaders looking to learning for help.
With the spotlight on us, what are we to do?
That’s a great question and one I thought so important and timely I’m pulling together an eleventh-hour Learning Tech Talks.
Joined by my good friend Ben Eubanks from Lighthouse Research & Advisory we’ll discuss what the research is saying and what we can do to help our organizations in their moment of need.
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Ah yes, the classic corporate dilemma of investing in employees. What if we train our employees only to have them take a hike? What if we don’t and they STAY?
For me, the answer is obvious, but I understand many concerns and fears of being used as a steppingstone. I truly believe that organizations that recognize that good human resources are as important as products are MORE effective in building sustainable competitive advantage.
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, I’m joined by Michael Brown, Chief People & Culture Officer with SchooX to talk about how he is helping organizations grow their community culture with their innovative talent development platform that allows users to go beyond simply managing learning processes, but EMPOWERS them to learn, develop skills, and drive business growth.
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Jack of all trades, master of FUN! At least that's what I am to my kiddos.
After doing this podcast for almost two years, I finally feel that I’m beginning to hone my craft. My repertoire of guests has given me the vocabulary to dive deep into conversations; balancing REAL discussion, on REAL topics, all with a little FUN. The cord from my brain to my mouth still gets unplugged sometimes. In my real job, I'm constantly honing my craft of congregating new ideas and implementing them within our organization to create a workplace of perpetual learners.
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, I’m virtually jumping in feet first with CEO and Founder of CoThryve, Blake Bozarth to discuss how he is taking high-potential committed leaders and making them exceptional leaders through Growth Groups™ that tap into the collective energy, experience, and expertise of their peers and consequentially starts a chain reaction of growth for teams and broader organizations alike.
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I tried out one of my hilarious dad puns the other day when I was on a Zoom call with our CEO, Christopher (great names think alike). He told me I wasn’t even remotely funny. Oof.
Gamification is a popular word among us L&D nerdz. Yes, I consider myself a learnerd. Let’s make that a thing. In all honesty, gamification isn’t anything new or special. BUT, it works. Growing up, I made up little games to help my, much younger and more handsome, brother with his homework. In the #futureofwork we have research, data, and AI to back up my own self-theory and when applied from a business perspective we can strategically measure ROI, team/individual effectiveness, and psychological development to create agile and high-performing teams.
In this episode of Learning Tech Talks, I get the chance to sit down and chat with CEO and Founder of Aeqlia, Oussama “Ouss” Labib about his mission to make virtual team video calls suck less through a highly interactive game-based learning platform that tackles remote work struggles through a collaborative focused lens to bring about change and improvement across all organizations.
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Celebrating the recent holiday, my wife had ordered me a speedo with pink elephants on them. Turns out they were actually swimming trunks! How much does your organization spend on content creation? Personally, I have a black budget for bad pun content. It’s probably more than you think when you consider the broad scale of costs.
How many resources are wasted or never used the way they are intended? Nothing drives me CRAZIER than my learning content not in use, but it happens. It would be easier to blame the learners, but I prefer to take responsibility for ensuring that the right content gets to the right people AT the right time.
In this episode, I get the opportunity to chat with the founder of Olifano, David Verhaag, who also happens to be a fan of LTT, about how he embodies the mantra, ‘GSD’ (Get Sh*t Done), which led him on his journey to solve the problem employees finding and using the resources made available to them. Olifano combines the power of microlearning and AI to elevate organizational efficiency by delivering engaging micro-moments and personalized learning content recommendations just in time and where employees really need them.
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AI will never take away my job. Only an idiot would want to do my job!
You don't have to be a luddite to have legitimate fears about AI. Thanks Nick Bostrom! However, AI in its many forms is meant to elevate, not replace, humans and we are only JUST beginning to see how it is shaping the #futureofwork.
In this Learning Tech Talks, I have the pleasure to once again host Steve Dineen and Rhys Giles from Fuse Universal to see how they are continuing to elevate their 'engagement first' platform that has brought success in numerous ways to countless organizations with a product that speaks for itself.
We’ll also be diving into some of their new features that allow for organizational content to be scanned and recommended AS learners engage with others and relevant content and how it has the potential to pave the way for the future of #HRTECH.
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Alright stop, collaborate and listen / Intrepid is back with their brand-new invention
Peer-to-peer had a very different meaning to me during my freshman year of college and it had absolutely nothing to do with the file-sharing software, Napster, and “downloading” songs to burn a sick mix cd. Today, peer-to-peer learning is something I’m more fluent in practicing and it’s at the highest priority when I’m restructuring.
One of the major flaws in early learning platforms was the severe lack of a dynamic relationship between the learning content and the learner. In my career, it becomes more apparent to me every. single. day. that learning is something that grows stronger and faster when shared with others.
In this episode, I have the pleasure once again to speak with Vice President & General Manager of Intrepid, Sam Herring. If any of you were watching my show a year ago (episode link below) Sam and I had the chance to debunk the myth that online collaborative learning wasn’t possible #fakenews. We finally have the opportunity to catch back up and see what he and Intrepid are doing to continually innovate and push their collaborative learning platform to the next level to inspire and transform organizations in the #futureofwork.
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The average amount of time that a recruiter spends reviewing a resume is roughly seven seconds. That’s right. SEVEN. All that time precious time you spent googling, “Good CV buzzwords” up in smoke.
One thing that is often overlooked during the recruiting and application process is the potential opportunity to build brand loyalty and rapport with applicants regardless of the outcome. I never got a response back from HR for the Wiggles Touring Company and the HECK if I let my kids ever watch them again. Case & point.
In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak CEO & Co-Founder, Prem Kumar from Humanly about his journey navigating the #hrtech world and after having the opportunity to experience firsthand the struggles of hiring candidates that ultimately led him to develop a tool that streamlines the application process and allows organizations to engage at scale and eliminates the unconscious bias that can plague the recruiting process.
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Tomato, Tomato. Happy, Hygge. Crush, Avoir le béguin. Bjndadvdlookdkatlkzdme, my three-year-old son.
Ideas & language are not always welcoming to one another when translating from one language to the next. While highly debatable among scholars (NERDS), it would seem obvious that this would be a priority for high-performing organizations in the #futureofwork, however, It appears that there is an overarching assumption in many organizations that ‘everyone can say everything in every language.WRONG.
In this episode, I have the pleasure to speak with @goFluent President, John Ambrose and how the organization isn’t just breaking, but SHATTERING the language barrier by empowering employees with the opportunity to grow outside of their native languages and consequentially, finding that partners aren't just becoming fluent in their fluency but demanding MORE access to further their learning journey to gain confidence and talent in and outside of work.
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Yes. I do love Snapchat filters and sending silly videos to my personal friends and colleagues. Why do I waste such precious time with 5 kids and a senior-level position at a high-performing company? Because it’s FUN! It also helps bring out my creative side and consequentially influences the work that I do.
Call me a time thief, (I PROMISE I DON’T DO IT AT WORK) but connecting with people on a democratized level is a super important component to the Zen of my remote work routine. If you’ve ever been a part of a high-performing team then you’ve witnessed the power of team members that are connected in ways that can’t always be explained.
In this episode, Carl Hodler, Co-Founder of Storytagger, and I are talking about the ways that his organization is helping leaders reach their team in ways that they never could before by providing a platform for users to extract their experiences from their brain to empower and amplify the human story.
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I have a secret I’ve been meaning to share with everyone. Okay, here it goes. Even as an adult, Phhhewww, this is tougher than I thought. Okay. I. Christopher Lind. Still love cartoons. There, I said it.
Yes, in the corporate world we don’t call them cartoons (They’ll rot your brain!) but are much more professionally called, A N I M A T I O N S. Call it what you want, but it’s become very clear that in the #futureofwork we are finding that traditional methods of conveying information are outdated and ineffective. I’m not harping on traditional methods, as they provide us with a foundation that is needed to understand our learning journey, but that new #hrtech has taken advantage of advancements in technology to grow in areas of need that weren’t previously available. Cause I ain’t no luddite, neither.
In this episode, Simpleshow is jumping back on the show to rehash ALL the unfinished business we have from our previous 2020 episode. Just kidding. Sorry, Casper McFadden, no need to help us deal with this unfinished business because I LOVE Simpleshow and the work that they do with organizations to convey complex ideas and processes in a fun and simple to create way.
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LXP,
Easy as 123
Ah, simple as do re mi
LXP, 123 ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬
What is YOUR high-performing organization doing to address workforce skills when they start to become obsolete or just average? I am not trying to be 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛, leveraging pun skills aside, but the industry is experiencing a state of disequilibrium in the marketplace with the absence of platforms that effectively build skills that MATTER for the #futureofwork.
As we’ve previously discussed on this show, many jobs are projected to disappear in a short period of time. Fortunately, they will be replaced with NEW jobs. Yay! However, this will require a tremendous overhaul in organizations to upskill and bridge their current skills gap to continue a sustainable competitive advantage.
In this Learning Tech Talks I'm talking with James Raybould and Achint Parekh to talk about LinkedIn's NEW skill-building platform, LinkedIn Learning Hub that is set to transform the traditional paradigm of LXPs with its personalized content, community-based learning, and skill development insights for L&D leaders.
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Have you ever felt like finding the “Next” button on your LMS course is more like navigating a game of “Where's Waldo?”. With the increasing number of digital applications used in the eLearning space, learners have become overwhelmed with the numerous applications of design and functionality.
We may #havethepower to create intuitive and endless learning capabilities with the status quo LMS, but maybe learning leaders need to rethink their strategies and look towards a more pragmatic and simple design that fits the needs of the next generation of learners.
In this episode, Kate Udalova, Founder & Chief Product Officer of 7taps and I have a charming opportunity to discuss some of the current workforce issues and how 7taps is reaching learners where traditional LMS has failed by creating a hands-on L&D experience that is flexible and enthusiastic for all parties involved.
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HR leaders, listen up! It doesn’t look like things are ever going back to what we considered normal post-pandemic. \WHO CARES/. What was normal in the first place? I believe it is easier to embrace the current situation for what it is and move forward!
Remote work and the intensifying #talentmobility race are putting extra pressure on HR leaders to ensure that the hiring process shines! FACT: Employees with a good onboarding experience are more likely to stay with their company for three years. With retention being a staple issue for most organizations today, it's hard to believe more are not prioritizing their onboarding management software.
In this episode, Guy Sellwood, Managing Director Prosell Learning Ltd, and HR analyst David Barone, join me to talk about the CHAOS that which we call onboarding. By any other name would feel as frightening. (thanks, @Shakespeare). We talk about how technology has streamlined the onboard process for thousands of HR leaders and has consequently increased performance for both learners and leaders.
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It’s been 18 months since I started Learning Tech Talks, and a lot has happened since then.
If you’re banking on things returning to pre-2020 at some point, I’ve got some news for you. The digital learning age has been coming for a while. 2020 simply accelerated and secured the shift, and there’s no going back.
This is our last Blockbuster moment.
The good news is, the digital future is bright and the last 18 months has resulted in some of the most exciting advancements of all time for our field.
On today’s Learning Tech Talks, I’m flying solo to share some of the most exciting trends I’ve seen while demystifying what it all means. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn it’s not as scary as you may be thinking.
And, if done right, you may just have that chance to secure the seat at the table you’ve been asking for.
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Nothing makes an organization STRONGER than a well-implemented LMS solution. A clean conscience performance enhancer. The market for LMS is mature to a point where most learning leaders are educated and well versed in the time and cost-saving functionality of having LMS or not. As new entrants continue to emerge, the waters have gotten muddy with overinflated features that obstruct the learning process.
Organizations need to increase speed and efficiency to compete in the #futureofwork and employee onboarding needs to be swift and concise. It’s time to get in the fast lane.
In this episode, I'll be talking with Brendan Noud, CEO & Des Visnjevac Anderson, CTO, co-founders of LearnUpon about their journey with LMS and the evolution that has transformed their work since their inception, and how they are taking companies to the next level with their learning by focusing on a quality user experience that unifies, coordinates, and streamlines training delivery across the entire network.
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Individualized coaching and development have traditionally been confined to the upper ranks of management. Of course, it makes sense that we would want our company figureheads to be superior in their performance and well-being. Sadly, this limitation has left the rest of the company to navigate their personal development journey on their own.
Too often we are employees with a hammer, and everything looks like a nail. Personal development allows us to find different tools we need to thrive and tackle issues with elevated purpose and performance.
In this episode, Maya Garza, VP of Solutions Consulting about Betterup and I talk the ways that they are enabling employees to not only thrive professionally, but also attain holistic fulfillment through personalized coaching, content, and care designed to transform lives and careers.
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You don’t have to be crazy to work here; we’ll train you!
I think I speak for all of us when describing the frustrations of learning new platforms and procedures. Just do that, this, and a couple of these, and you’ll be just fine. Makes sense, right? Enterprise software is SUPPOSED to make our job easier, save time and money. Yet time and time again, it doesn’t work out that way. Is it the software or the end-user? We can play the blame game all day long, but the real issue is proper training.
In this episode, Vispi Daver, Senior Vice President WhatFix, and I talk about the complexities of enterprise software and the cost of improper training, and what Whatfix is doing to change and empower super users with high engagement and retention.
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Who thought that having TOO much information and education at our fingertips would be a bad thing? As a ‘90s kid with dial-up internet, I sure didn’t.
urrrr EEEE urrr NNNGGGG CRRRRcrrrr KEEEEEEE grrr nnnnnng…..
It would be easy to assume that with the vast number of resources available to us today that higher organizational learning should be easily acquired and interpreted. The issue we are seeing in the #futureofwork isn’t the lack of resources, but the ability to control the flow of information and appropriately curate it to be used in the correct direction and purpose.
In this episode, Juan Lagrange CEO of Sunlight Technologies and I talk about the effects of the paradox of choice with regard to learning content and how he is helping companies to solve some of the key issues surrounding the engagement epidemic in the #futureofwork.
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Laying off your workforce when times get tough is never an easy process. There’s a lot to consider and emotions run high for employers and employees. As a result, the employee often gets the short end of the stick, damaging the employee brand and opening up opportunities for litigation.
Furthermore, there’s often a lot of great talent that could be better served in another part of the organization that gets released, never to even consider returning again.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
On Today’s episode of Learning Tech Talks, Taylor Stockton and I are exploring how FutureFit AI is using the latest in tech to completely reimagine the way companies handle layoffs and treat their employees through the process by repurposing existing spend to create a better process with better results.
We’ll talk about the way #AI can seamlessly match your workforce’s skills to internal and external career opportunities to make career transitions seamless, even in the most difficult times.
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Automating, accelerating, and personalizing our digital content all the while measuring experience and impact must require an entire ecosystem of technology and another experience platform, right?
Despite all the efforts and technology out there driving to improve when and where our workforce consumes the content they need, there continues to be opportunity to transform the way it’s developed. Many organizations continue to rely heavily on traditional content development tools that, while valuable, don’t quite address the entire opportunity.
On today’s episode, Joel Hellermark and I will talk about the latest technological advancements in content development. We’ll share why the way we’ve historically approached it isn’t wrong but is no longer how we have to operate.
We’ll also explore the capabilities of Sana Labs and see how their team is building in the latest in tech into a core capability within every L&D organization.
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Prevailing ideas on futuristic training simulations are starting to blur the line between fiction and reality with emerging technology. Learning leaders (and dreamers) often have envisions of a believable training environment that isn’t taught but experienced, with the ability to provide real-time data points to highlight achievements AND failures within the design and learner journey.
We are only beginning to see the profound ways that virtual and augmented reality is changing the way we view, well, just about everything in the workplace! Never has there ever been a more appropriate use of the technology than in the learning space.
In this episode, I'll be talking with Peter Wittig, co-founder and director of customer experience, of Motive.io about the advantages of adopting immersive training and the ways that it is providing more confidence to trainees and creating a more productive work environment.
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Access to content is not equivalent to access to opportunity. Having a library card doesn't mean you have the ability, motivation and triggers to go to the library, and then when you are there have the knowledge to both find and learn what is relevant and important.
With the continued pressure to hack the upskilling code, many continue looking for ways to grow and develop their workforce despite the sea of new technology. Perhaps that’s because the right technology and content pathways are only part of the solution.
In this episode, I’m joined by David and Taylor Blake, founding members of Degreed who wanted to go even further because they recognized access to content does not directly translate to access to opportunity.
We’ll talk about how to move away from the talk of upskilling and focus on the implementation while highlighting what infrastructure is needed to remove blockers and create a proactive, perpetual talent-building pipeline to inclusively advance today's workforce.
We’ll also hear how their new venture LearnIn can help solve every barrier that stands in the way of creating tomorrow’s workforce.
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Upskilling is no longer a conversation of necessity. It is a matter of SURVIVAL. 2020 has shown us that the entire global workforce is vulnerable and the supply and demand for skills is at an order imbalance. Will you be added to the list of endangered skills?
The impact of skills only being to scratch the surface with compounding effects on mental health, productivity and retention. And they are all AT RISK.
In this episode, I'll be talking with Sarah Danzl and Todd Tauber with Degreed about the global workforce skills shortage and highlighting some insights that were discovered in the #StateofSkills2021 global report and what they are doing to help organizations flourish in a time of change and disruption.
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It’s time we have a tough conversation. Diversity and inclusion programs AREN’T working. 2020 has shown us that WE aren’t there yet and WE need to improve. The search for the answer to a viable and sustainable program is pertinent to the #futureofwork.
Organizations NEED to take positive steps to remove systemic barriers and promote inclusion.
In this episode, Elisabeth Cooke and I are talking about the exciting new ways Dignii is helping organize demystifying D&I training with a holistic view of diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement.
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Too frequently our learning leaders are draining resources on a multitude of external systems that work against the environment they are trying to create. It’s not you, it’s me. In reality, building a larger capability map to design and weave both internal and external systems to work together in tandem is how a true ecosystem should function. There is no “I” in team with the #futureofwork and collaboration is key in a blended learning environment.
Let me ask you this. Is your organization’s learning ecosystem self-sustaining? Have you identified the components of your ecosystem and are there ways restructuring would provide nourishment to those wilting components? Are you MAXIMIZING your learners collaborative experience?
In this episode, Matt Donovon with GP Strategies Corporation helps us to answer these questions by demystifying the learning ecosystem and provides the tools to combine learning ecosystem components to create an XL blended smoothie learning experience with whipped cream on top. Yum
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VR with VR. Value Realization with Virtual Reality. We are witnessing the new age of products that require a sales pitch like nothing we’ve ever seen before. How do we present products in the #immersivetechnology sector to businesses that HAVE a need but HAVEN’T realized it yet.
Leaders are seeing the importance of LISTENING in on these important conversations that concern the #futureofwork to learn how these technologies may be deployed and plan accordingly for their impact on the workforce.
In this episode, James Watson and I talk about his experience in the immersive technology sector and the challenges that companies face when building a sustainable business model and effectively marketing to the right customers.
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Organizations often make the fatal assumption that their leaders already have the skills they need to thrive in the current business environment.
Unfortunately, many leaders have received little to no development on these critical skills. As a result, avoidable mistakes are frequently made, and countless opportunities are missed.
However, when it comes to developing leaders, it takes a lot more than getting people the right content and curriculum is important. Like developing any skill, it’s about architecting a comprehensive experience that brings together content aligned to skills with plenty of opportunity for practice.
In this episode, I’ll be talking with Matt Confer about what it takes to develop leaders from all levels of the organization at scale and with impact. We’ll also dig into the way Abilitie is using immersive simulations designed to develop the behaviors your leaders need most.
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One benefit of employees using so many digital platforms is the creation of massive amounts of data about employee skills.
When harnessed, this has the potential to provide organizations with unprecedented visibility into the skills of their employees and the way work is really done.
Unfortunately, the volume of data makes analyzing it impossible for any human. However, when you augment that team with the power of the latest AI, the impossible suddenly becomes possible.
In this episode, Mikael Wornoo and I will be talking about using artificial intelligence to analyze real-time skills data and its potential for strategic workforce planning. We’ll also talk about the challenges and risks that need to be mitigated while exploring how Techwolf is pulling it off.
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In complex organizations many people work, we collaborate with people from around the world to solve important problems together. Given that’s the way work is done, why aren’t more learning opportunities designed around that kind of experience?
It’s a good question and a gap worth discussing as we kick off 2021 and continue to enhance the way we develop real skills digitally.
However, one challenge when encouraging people to engage in their development is showcasing the purpose and outcomes that development is driving toward and providing a clear pathway to get there.
Tomorrow on Learning Tech Talks I’ll be talking with Matthias Klein and Guido Schnarwiler about a fun and engaging way to do by architecting a mission-based simulation that aligns people to their development pathway and steps them through the journey. You’ll also hear how theMission is making this a reality.
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Regardless of the function you’re in or the industry your company serves, #digitaltransformation is affecting everyone.
Yet, it is estimated that somewhere to the tune of 70% of digital transformations fail.
That’s because digital transformation isn’t about simply seeking out the latest in tech and layering it on top of the way work is done today. Making it a success requires diagnosing root issues to identify opportunities where the change will net the greatest return.
It also requires diligence and discipline to ensure efforts not only make it to market but remain sustainable.
In this episode, I’m talking with Aurimas Adomavicius, President at DevBridge, about the mindset, process, and capabilities required to do digital right.
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There’s a reason YouTube boasts over 1.9 billion users with over 500 hours of video content every minute. The reason is video is an extremely powerful tool for a multitude of use-cases.
Whether it’s an inspirational messaging about the latest organizational change or a clip highlighting the most efficient way to repair a product on the front line, video can be a powerful way to drive organizational success.
Unfortunately, creating video within an organization can be a lot more complicated and overwhelming than people realize, especially when attempting to do it at scale.
Fortunately, technology is making it easier and democratizing this capability, making it easy and manageable for the masses to create content.
In this episode, I talk with Sunil Gaitonde and Shridhar Shukla about the value of video for learning, communication, and change management. We’ll also gain a better understanding of the way kPoint is making it easy.
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There’s a number of well-known tools out there that many are familiar with for creating digital learning content. However, many of these tools require an advanced skillset and reduce the speed at which content can be created.
This is especially dangerous at a time when content needs to be created and delivered faster than ever before.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to mitigate this challenge by using basic office tools for content creation, which doesn’t create a desirable user experience.
So, how do we get the simple and rapid capability without sacrificing the designer and learner experience?
In this episode, I talk with Kasper Spiro about how we can best address the iron triangle of digital learning content and the way EasyGenerator was designed to address this challenge.
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While content has an important role in the growth and development of employees, it also requires dialogue, reflection, practice, and feedback. In other words, content needs context and collaboration.
Is it possible to create that type of learning environment digitally? This was one of the biggest challenges faced by learning organizations faced in 2020 as they fought to maintain the quality of experiences while delivering them in an unfamiliar way.
Now, while technology isn’t a silver bullet that makes it happen, the right tech is an important step in going digital without sacrificing quality while increasing scale and impact
In this episode, Todd Moran and Juan Morán, NovoEd’s Chief Learning Strategist and Solutions Consultant, and I will be exploring the possibilities and impact of collaborative online learning and bust the myth that digital is somehow a second-class experience.
We’ll also explore NovoEd and its portfolio of capabilities and discuss what it takes to engage learners, promote accountability, and strengthen and sustain learning across the enterprise.
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When it comes to skills, it can feel like they’re changing so fast it’s impossible to develop them before they’re extinct. However, one timeless skill not only remains at the top of nearly every priority list but spans across every role and function.
What skill am I talking about? Communication.
However, in order to improve a diverse and complicated skill like communication, you have to start by breaking apart the broader skill into the unique capabilities and create a personalized development pathway. Unfortunately, this type of assessment and personalized pathway was almost impossible to scale across an organization.
On today’s episode of Learning Tech Talks, Noah Zandan and I are talking about what it really takes to tackle this kind of challenge and why technology is the only way to make it a reality. We’ll also dig into the unique and measurable ways Quantified Communications is solving this problem.
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The landscape of #learning and #hrtech continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, and it can sometimes feel impossible to stay current.
In the first Learning Tech Talks of 2021 Matthew Daniel, Jeff Lowndes, and I decided to collectively share our predictions and insights into what we’re seeing in the market as well as the growing maturity of organizations around the globe.
We discuss everything from the continued progress of #AI to #talentmobility, the real value behind the rapidly growing talent marketplace.
We also highlighted some practical ways you can embark on this journey regardless of where you are on the learning maturity curve or the size of your team and budget.
This is a conversation you won't want to miss.
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Whether it’s curating content from a variety of sources, improving the learning experience through personalization, developing employee skills, or predicting and measuring the impact of the work we do there’s no shortage of opportunity for technology to enhance the way we work together.
Historically we’ve patiently, and sometimes impatiently, waited for the LMS to improve its capability stack to meet these needs. However, perhaps we were waiting for the wrong acronym to solve our problem.
Enter in the LXP. Now, while there’s a growing number of platforms out there aligning themselves to the acronym, far fewer truly fit the LXP mold.
In this episode, that’s exactly what we’re talking about as I chat with Janne Hietala. We’ll discuss the current state of the industry while highlighting the different ways Valamis has designed its platform to solve these monumental challenges.
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Keeping all the assets, resources, and programs organized while analyzing needs, delivering and forecasting what will be needed in the future is a piece of cake, right? And, it’s not as if the events of 2020, distributed workers, and global organizations make things any more difficult. There’s a lot more complexity in managing a successful learning function than people often realize. After all, when done well, it takes a lot more than throwing together a problem and shoving it out the door. In this episode, John Pebbles and I are going to break down the complexities of the learning supply chain and talk about many of the different ways technology like Administrate are making the management and measurement of our efforts easier.
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Preparing for your first job or transitioning into a new field is overwhelming. Developing the skills you’ll need, understanding the terminology, and being able to tell a compelling story during an interview is a lot for any individual to take on, especially at the pace roles are changing.
This overwhelming task has only been made more challenging by the events of 2020.
Fortunately, technology is making it easier. Not only is today’s tech able to rapidly and continuously evaluate market skills, curate resources, and create a personalized path designed to land you the job, it’s also connecting people to the jobs where they can put them to work.
In this episode, Ahmed El-Sharkasy and I are going to be talking about how machine learning is simplifying this overwhelming process and how KnowledgeOfficer is taking the skill measurement and development a step further by connecting that development to landing that new job.
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Everyone is talking about modifying and developing the skills of the workforce, but so many are struggling to figure out what to do about it.
One of the most significant challenges is that each individual is different and brings with them their own unique skills, experiences, and opportunities for growth.
While formal training can play a role, research shows us that coaching can dramatically improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the change.
Unfortunately, organizations often fail to include or limit this necessary layer due to the limitations of traditional coaching.
In this episode I’m talking with Kristy Mccann Flynn about the importance of coaching at all levels of the organization. We’ll also talk about how that need led her to co-found @GoCoach to help organizations address this need at scale.
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Developing talent is about more than designing and delivering learning content and experiences. It’s about connecting employee development to their workplace performance and enabling their ongoing career development.
And there’s no denying mapping the skills of an individual, measuring those skills, identifying the interaction between employees, and connecting all those dots in order to develop your talent and create a pipeline for the future can feel like a complex mess.
While this requires more than a new system or platform, doing it well at scale and with any degree of consistency is impossible without the right technology.
But what if it didn’t have to be that way?
We’ll be exploring that possibility in this episode of Learning Tech Talks when we talk with Matthew Brown about the complexities we face and how they’ve designed Schoox to be an end-to-end solution capable of pulling it all together.
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It’s easy to underestimate the amount of learning content that is created and maintained within an organization.
However, when you even begin scratching the surface, you’ll quickly realize the negative impact a lack of visibility into that content can have to your bottom line.
And, while streamlining your internal content operations may not have the same dramatic allure as a new learner experience platform, the value to your bottom line cannot be overlooked.
Whether reducing content development and maintenance time or reducing financial waste on duplicate assets and translations, streamlining your content can free up the resources you need to do more with less.
In this episode, we’ll be demystifying another of the big “L” acronyms, the LCMS or Learning Content Management System when I talk with Leslie Farinella from Xyleme. We’ll unpack the different opportunities this technology can address and explore what it takes to maximize the potential.
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We all know travel costs and operational downtime have been significant barriers to the critical support and engagement required by business leaders and employees, and that didn’t just start with COVID19.
And, while the desired outcome of functional training is to improve operational efficiency, legacy methods often require a significant loss in that efficiency in order to achieve that outcome.
Thankfully, technology is removing these barriers by reaching employees where they are, reducing the need and time required for face-to-face learning, and having an overall positive impact on employee performance.
In this episode, Udi Hazan and I dig into the challenges we face when reaching front-line workers and highlight how these challenges were accelerated by the coronavirus. We’ll also learn more about how Enabley was built to address these challenges by enabling L&D to create and deploy interactive content through a seamless user experience.
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While the dynamics of working in distributed and virtual teams weren’t new to 2020, the gaps and challenges some teams were already experiencing reached a new high as the entire workforce transitioned almost overnight, vaporizing work as we once knew it.
As a result, the demand to develop more than just the individual reached an all-time high as teams struggled to connect and engage with each other, develop their skills, and learn through realistic experiences.
Given that’s the case, why is so much of our effort focused on content targeted at individuals?
It’s a good question and one we should be asking ourselves as we evaluate our strategy.
In this episode, Graham Hogg and I discuss what this new way of working means for team development. We’ll highlight why the way we’ve always done things simply can’t work in this new world.
You’ll also hear some of the different ways see6 is addressing these gaps by taking business simulations to a new level enabling team development like never before.
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Creating video content should be a piece of cake right? After all, everyone has a webcam or cellphone that can be used to record themselves from anywhere.
Not quite.
If you’ve ever led a user-generated content initiative, you’re familiar with how hard it can be to get people to produce a video with any degree of production quality.
Even if they can make the thing, the logistics alone may have you throwing in the towel.
On this episode, I talk with Christopher Weeks about the challenges we often face when it comes to curating production-quality user-generated video content. We’ll also explore their hardware solution, RapidMooc, that’s designed to bring the quality and capability of a full production studio to your office.
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Talking about creating a culture of continuous learning, unlocking the potential of your existing talent, and providing employees with an extraordinary experience while improving productivity and reducing costs is one thing.
Delivering on it is another.
As a result, organizations frequently make the costly mistake of first looking for talent externally because they are unaware of what they can do with what they have.
In this episode, Kelley Steven-Waiss and I will be talking about the many challenges organizations often face when making the shift from words to action and about the importance of talent operations and how visibility, planning, and adaptability can serve as a monumental advantage in today’s competitive environment.
We’ll also talk about what makes Hitch unique and how they’re positioning themselves to be the complete technology platform for the Future of Work.
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With 63 episodes over 12 months paired with an entire career dedicated to learning, learning technology, and digital transformation, I should have all the answers, right?
Spoiler alert. I don’t and won’t pretend I do.
However, I have managed to acquire some pearls of wisdom here and there while forming a candid perspective on where things are and where they’re going.
On this special 1-year anniversary episode of Learning Tech Talks, I’ll be sharing some of my biggest takeaways, answering your questions, and demystifying what it means for our industry.
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Knowledge, content, and expertise don’t distribute itself to the right places.
Unfortunately, it’s distributed across the organization, often in silos or buried where people are unable to find it, but technology is helping.
Today’s tech is capable of aggregating, curating, and recommending it right where you need it while automating rudimentary tasks to enable the highest degree of performance.
In this episode, Annee Bayeux and I are talking about some of the ways we can transform the work we do by tapping into the existing infrastructure and resources that drive the #flowofwork.
We’ll unpack what it takes to bring together the vast, often undiscovered, knowledge and expertise in our organizations and bring it to life. We’ll also dig into the way EdCast has been designed to seamlessly pull this off and ultimately allow our employees to work smarter, not harder.
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The kind of solutions we can create to help employees see, touch and experience is changing dramatically. We’re no longer limited to text, images, and video that’s to augmented and mixed reality.
Even better, augmented and mixed reality isn’t just for large organizations with big budgets and teams of technical designers.
This technology allows us to take passive content and bring it to life by connecting the digital and physical world.
In this episode, we're talking with Caspar Thykier about what it really means to bridge the gap between these two worlds and how Zappar is helping. We’ll dig into different ways to use this form of technology to move beyond the trend and solve real problems while improving the user experience.
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Regardless of what you call them, competencies are fundamental elements that guide your talent strategy and provide the framework required for managing employee skills.
However, managing skills and competencies well takes more than a fancy chart that looks nice on a PowerPoint slide. It requires comprehensive tech capability that allows organizations to create and assess the frameworks while assessing where employees and designing a path that gets them to where they need to be.
And, while you’re not alone if you’re not currently using technology to manage the competencies and skills of your employees and unlock the power of a competent workforce, it’s a gap that’s too important to ignore.
In this episode, I talk with Jai Shah and Tom White from Kahuna Workforce Solutions to define what it means to manage competencies and skills and explain why this critical step will help solve the skill dilemma at the apex of every organization’s priority list.
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Knowledge is only as powerful as the individual’s ability to demonstrate or articulate it.
Fortunately, video is a great way for individuals to practice synthesizing their knowledge by practicing how they would apply it, getting feedback, and modifying their delivery. However, the logistics behind a solid video workflow is often more complicated than many L&D organizations or learning tech tools are prepared to manage.
However, video workflows are overcoming these challenges.
In this episode with Julie Zinn and Josh Kamrath from Bongo we’ll explore how can you use them to transform the way you assess knowledge, measure skills, and develop talent in your organization through practice, demonstration, and feedback.
We’ll also take a look at how technology is making it scalable through automation.
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An LXP is nothing more than a fancy front end for an LMS, right? Not quite!
Seamless user experience and central interface for employee learning are important features when considering a learning experience platform, but you can’t just stop there.
For one, an LXP needs to also consider the social connection between employees whether it’s helping shape what content is relevant to a learner or enabling the actual creation of it.
In this episode, I talk with Danielle Hamilton and Mark Ward while taking a closer look at Thrive Learning’s swing at the Learning Experience Platform.
We’ll see how they’re connecting the ecosystem while personalizing learning through relevant content and actionable data giving more time to employees to focus on the things that matter.
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Making the jump from in-person to virtual events is about a lot more than copying and pasting your content into a new environment. To do it well, we need to think beyond delivering content to delivering experiences.
It requires rethinking the content, architecting an experience, and measuring whether the resources invested in the design and time spent by the participants actually delivered the desired outcome.
While we’re all familiar with the latest video conference tools, they often lack the features and functionality required to deliver an impactful experience.
In this episode I’m talking with Matthew Parson from Benji about the platform they’ve designed to take some of the powerful tools we use for in-person events and and apply them in the virtual world to transform the learner experience.
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Neglecting or poorly managing the front-end analysis of the L&D supply chain has consequences for everyone involved. It’s here where decisions are made to fill gaps or solve problems that don’t exist. This leaves everyone working on things that don’t really matter.
Add to that, inefficiencies and poor management in this area have dire downstream consequences.
It doesn’t get any easier when you start collaborating with SMEs and Stakeholders to build your content.
Unfortunately, cleaning up these processes can prove to be a more challenging task than people often realize.
In this episode, I’ll be talking with Ryan Austin about Synapse and how it’s designed to take control of these critical steps by creating standard processes and workflows designed to collect and manage the critical data and feedback while ensuring you’re working on the right needs and managing the status of everything.
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Technology being aware of your environment and augmenting the it with digital information, guidance, and support. Experts guiding you through new and challenging tasks from anywhere in the world in real-time.
It may sound like something from a science fiction film, but it’s actually a powerful capability being used by organizations around the world to dramatically improve performance by enabling technology to augment our reality for the better.
In this episode I talk with Mark Rydman and Troy Segale from CraneMorley about the work they’re doing in partnership with Microsoft to combine AR technology and the Hololens to reimagine the possibilities.
We will not only demystify the technology but talk about the ways it’s being used today amidst travel and proximity restrictions as a result of COVID19.
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The way people communicate or fail to communicate may be one of the biggest inhibitors to the success of your organization. But, what can you do about it?
One of the most impactful ways shape and develop human skills is through coaching. It develops the confidence and skills required for an individual to effectively to share their ideas and develop their own teams.
One of the biggest challenges with pulling this off is that coaching done right requires a personal experience tailored to the unique needs of the individual.
This proves to be exceptionally difficult to accomplish at scale.
In this episode, we talk with Tyler Muse about why he and the team at Lingo Live have set their targets on unlocking the potential of talent through coaching and how they’re technology is making it possible.
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When many people hear the word elearning, it doesn’t invoke a positive response.
It's often associated with poorly designed content that forces people through a painful user experience.
While there are reasons why people don’t typically see it in a positive light, it doesn't mean the tool and delivery mechanism is completely ineffective.
In this episode I’m talking with Alexander Salas from eLearning Launch to dig into this often polarizing topic and address the reasons why elearning has the reputation it does and what we can do about it.
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When you hear Artificial Intelligence, what’s the first application that comes to mind?
Perhaps robots or a mischievous computer program comes to mind.
How about workforce development or employee experience?
The reality is, AI isn’t just for IT or business functions. It’s something every talent and HR leader should be intimately familiar with as a powerful tool for transforming our work and our workforce.
In this episode, I’m nerding out with Ben Eubanks from Lighthouse Research and Advisory. We’ll be exploring the different possibilities and important ways augmenting the work we do with technology can dramatically impact our organizations and employees for the better.
We’ll also address the risks and important considerations we need to make to ensure we’re making these decisions carefully and ethically.
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One of the top challenges employees face when it comes to continuous learning is the limited time they have. This is often because corporate learning is viewed as a separate activity from their daily work. Add to that, the technology we’ve historically relied on to support continous learning has further reinforced this belief.
The reality is, when people are forced to go outside of where they are working to get the answers they need, we’re battling for their limited time and attention. Furthermore, we’re creating unnecessary hurdles for them by forcing them to relearn a user interface.
However, emerging technologies are moving away from the idea that learning needs to be separate and tapping seamlessly into the places employees are spending their time at work.
In this special episode of Learning Tech Talks, I’m talking with Vineet Taneja from Microsoft about the new and exciting development in Microsoft Teams that’s breaking down the silos of work and learning to create an environment where they are one and the same.
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It’s agonizing to passively sit through a presentation of endless slides that seem to never end, especially when it feels like the presenter is figuring things out alongside the participants.
And, whether you’re delivering a live training session or giving a keynote presentation, keeping your audience engaged is a key metric for success and there’s no shortage of ways to lose them.
Some of the basics include having a clear message and staying on task. However, interacting with your audience in real-time is one of the most effective and dynamic ways make it happen.
However, doing this well takes more than throwing in a random poll or saving a few minutes at the end for Q&A. You need to field and address questions in real-time and adjust the flow based on audience feedback.
In this episode, I talk with Shannon Daniels about what it takes to make the most of a live presentation and discover why she founded Encaptiv to help make accomplishing it easy.
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Upskilling and #reskilling is a topic in almost every learning and talent conversation. Regardless of what industry or function you’re in, it’s important as the half-life of employee skills continues to dwindle.
For some organizations, the need to pull it off is important for staying at the top of their game and maintaining a competitive advantage. For other organizations, it’s a baseline requirement for staying in business.
So, what should you do if the livelihood of the entire company was balanced on your ability to reskill your employees?
In this episode I’m talking with Vinod Uniyal about what it really means, what it really takes, and what it looks like to close the skills gap and how #IBM is managing to pull it off.
We’ll also dig into the journey they’ve been on as they’ve completely transformed their business and the role #upskilling and #reskilling has played in making the transformation possible.
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Knowing how to deliver the behaviors that drive success is one thing. Actually being able to do them and do them well is another. So, how do you make the transition from knowing to doing?
Practice!
Since it’s so important, why don’t people do it? In reality, people often don’t really know what they should practice and how.
In this episode Naomi Davidson and I dig into the importance of practice when it comes to developing human skills. We talk about the importance of breaking down some of the most common human skills into actionable behaviors.
We also talk about why this important step is so often overlooked and hear how #Trybe has been designed to simplify and pragmatize the most important behaviors into habit forming practice.
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Despite all that’s happening with technology and digital transformation, people remain the engine that power our businesses.
As a result, people and the skills they bring to the table are ultimately one of the biggest variable in determining whether a business will thrive, survive, or die.
The recent #coronavirus pandemic has recently exposed the quality and diversity of the skills in our organizations validating many of the concerns c-level executives have been losing sleep over before the crisis.
So, what can we do about it and how can technology help?
In this episode I talk with Koreen Pagano and Chris Milligan to find out how the forging of Adepto and Degreed is creating a technological powerhouse that can play a leading role in future-proofing your organization and unlocking the potential of your talent.
Hear firsthand fthe journey they’ve been on and how they’re bringing this concept to life.
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It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority of people in our industry, and probably outside our industry, have heard of the LMS. The learning management system has been a foundational piece of technology leveraged by companies big and small from around the world to manage their learning.
If it’s such a foundational piece of technology, why is it that when most people hear the term, it conjures feelings of distain or instinctivly makes us wrinkle our noses? That’s a really good question.
To be fair, not all of the problems associated with an LMS have anything to do with the LMS itself, but many of them certainly don’t encourage the right behaviors or create the right experience.
On this episode David James and Ben Muzzell talk with me about some of the key points of failure where legacy learning technology continues to struggle. We also dig into the ways they’ve designed Looop to address these challenges and provide users with the right resources in a way that doesn’t disrupt the flow of work.
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While the passive learning that occurs when consuming content will remain a staple in the diet of every professional’s development diet, there’s tremendous opportunity for us as L&D professionals to do more to foster active learning.
This means taking learning to a new level where participants not only participate in a dialogue but perform and practice the actual behaviors and actions they want to improve. Even better, what if we could do that with a video game?
In the past, this has been challenging since active learning has historically relied on guiding learners indirectly while they’re on-the-job or pulling them away from the work to simulate in a controlled training environment.
In this episode I talked with Anne Lise and Krister Kristiansen from Attensi to learn how they’ve paired their guiding principles of realistic, engaging, and impactful simulations with a gamified, digital experience that is designed to take learning to the next level.
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Everybody is talking about upskilling and digital transformation, but what on earth does it really mean and what do we do about it.
Ben Eubanks and I sit down to talk about exactly that. With his broad industry analysis and my practitioner lens, we bring a balanced perspective to how we can play a role in solving these big problems for our organization and hopefully keep you laughing along the way.
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Imagine a future where machines can listen to your conversations and provide you with dynamic, personalized feedback and guidance in real-time to get you to a better outcome.
Imagine no more. The future is now.
Now, some may say machines listening and analyzing to our conversations sounds creepy. However, when done right, it has tremendous potential for improving performance, whether it’s reducing risk, managing customer care, or identifying and maximizing your top performers.
On this episode I’m talking with Nancy Munro from Verbal Transactions about the way technology is enabling personalized guidance and feedback about the way we interact with others during our conversations.
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Impactful, collaborative learning always requires an in-person component, right? Afterall, how can you possibly collaborate without being together? I can speak from first-hand experience that it’s possible but not possible without the right tech.
Historically, we’ve relied on in-person events for collaborative learning opportunities. Unfortunately, events are trapped as moments in time and rarely have the sticky effect required for long-term success.
While critics may say technology is incapable of replicating this human experience, technology may be proving to achieve the same outcomes with a broader audience and at a speed and scale impossible by traditional means.
In this episode Sam Herring and I talk about how technology is enabling collaborative problem solving focused on real business challenges that can be delivered at scale without the typical sub-par user experience.
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Business and HR leaders are recognizing the value of a positive and inclusive environment. Unfortunately, uncomfortable situations still occur stunting or even reversing forward progress.
Unfortunately, people struggle with navigating these situations when they arise. As a result, some stay quiet, inadvertently encouraging bad behavior. Others respond inappropriately further escalating an already volatile situation.
Overcoming these challenges requires helping employees build the skills needed to navigate them successfully.
However, one of the biggest challenges to doing this is giving employees opportunities to practice what they’ll do when faced with the situation while providing actionable feedback for improvement. Fortunately, technology is making it easier.
In this episode Mark Atkinson, CEO of Mursion, and I discuss about how to use technology to safely replicate these difficult situations, creating a secure environment where employees can improve their skills and actionably improve your organizational culture.
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Video is all the rage in learning and development. Whether it’s short-form explainer videos or long-form instructional content, they’re everywhere. And, with everyone carrying around a high-definition camera in their pocket, using video to transform learning in your organization should be a piece of cake, right? Just point, shoot, and presto, video learning magic. Not quite. Great videos are about telling stories that carry the right messages and create the right emotional response. Pulling it off well requires avoiding predictable or preachy stories and striking the right balance of art and science. In this episode Austin Welch, Richard Fleming and I talk about what really goes into making a video come to life and how they’re combining the art and science of storytelling and video production to transform L&D at Sage Media.
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There is no shortage of platitudinal statements in the corporate world and L&D continues to grow our marketshare. We’re digitally transforming the learner experience, crafting meaningful and human-centered learning journeys, and one of my favorites, building a learning culture.
The challenge is not that these statements don’t address critical and meaningful activities. It’s that they’re often said will little to no thought into what they really mean, the clear plan for bringing them to live, and the measurements we’ll use to determine if we’re making progress and having an impact.
In this episode with Simon Brown and Nina Bressler Murphy from Novartis. We’ll be collectively sharing our experiences on what it really means and what it takes for success. We’ll also share some of the painful lessons we’ve learned along the way.
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All of us in learning, talent and HR functions are being faced with what can often feel like impossible challenges as a result of the coronavirus. We haven’t even had time to fully establish a steady state for the current situation and are already being challenged with predicting the ‘new normal’ and how we’ll manage that.
Trying to solve for these monumental challenges in an environment where it’s easy to feel isolated from the very people we need to solve them only adds insult to injury.
So, how do we rapidly solve for these complex problems in a world where we’re all physically and mentally displaced from our normal mode of operation? Enter in the virtual hackathon where you’ll combine #agile, #designthinking, #hackatons, and #digital #technology.
In this episode Nicole Dessain from Talent Imperative and I are going to dig into exactly what Virtual Hackathon is, what it takes to pull off, and why it’s an solution we should all be exploring.
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Preparing your workforce with the skills they need now and in the future is no easy task. It requires timely, relevant, and meaningful content that addresses needs at the pace of business.
For global organizations, that complexity is exponential as you factor in adapting to and ensuring relevance for regional culture and languages.
It also requires a platform capable of providing meaningful data and insights for your learners, your stakeholders, and your L&D organization.
In this episode, Yvonne Chen and I unpack what Udemy for Business has to offer from a content and technology standpoint while also digging into why their strategic approach is designed to solve the many skill challenges enabling us to shift from defense to offense.
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While many organizations struggle with volume of learning technology in their portfolio, others are just starting on their digital learning journey. This can often feel like an overwhelming task. Finding the right content, deploying it through and user-friendly tool, reinforcing the principles, and having even basic data.
Furthermore, successfully navigating the transformation of learning in your organization is about more than picking a platform with the right features and signing a PO, even though that’s an important step.
Listen to my conversation with Dean Pichee & Tom Braning from Biz Library about how their platform is designed to not only address your technology and content needs but has designed a client success model to ensure long-term success.
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For those of you who have heard of LinkedIn Learning or maybe even taken a course, you may be wondering whether there’s really a need for yet another content provider. However, when you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll find that LinkedIn has done a lot more than build an ocean of content.
You’ll see how they’ve connected learners professional experience and skills to content that can enable their continued growth while providing organizations with the critical data required to ignite their talent strategy. However, to do this, we have to think beyond the silo of corporate learning. We have to integrate with the broader talent strategy and ensure we’re seamlessly aligned.
You’ll hear all this and more on when you listen to this episode of Learning Tech Talks where I chat with James Raybould from LinkedIn to learn more about the journey they’ve been on and discover what makes their solution unique.
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Whether you’ve historically been for or against #virtual #learning, it’s a reality everyone has had to embrace amidst the #coronavirus pandemic.
For some, it was business as usual or a relatively seamless transition. For others, it’s been an overwhelming and painful challenge, leaving learning professionals frustrated and learners disengaged.
And, just because a lot of what’s been done in the past is bad doesn’t mean it can’t be done well.
In this episode I’m joined by Bob Kulhan and Josh Pryor from Business Improv to share our experiences in doing virtual learning well. And, whether you’ve been doing virtual well for a while or are just getting started you’ll find something that will help take your virtual offerings from ordinary to extraordinary.
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A lot of things have changed in Snagit and Camtasia since I was first introduced to it during my youthful days as an instructional designer, and it’s been interesting to watch the products evolve and the features advance over the years. They remain laser focused on improving visual communications and making it easy for users.
And, despite the massive growth and transformation technology has made, tools like these remain a staple on the laptops of instructional designers and business professionals alike.
Check out my conversation with Wendy Hamilton to learn more about what TechSmith is up to and how they’re diligently working to help the world communicate clearly while remaining laser focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience.
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Reinforcing existing #learning, maximizing the reach of compliance training, strategically streamlining onboarding content, and improving the way you develop your salesforce are challenges anyone in Learning & Development should be familiar with.
In a world where so many others are pushing to solve these problems with HD #video, massive content libraries, or complex #ai based technologies, could text messaging actually be the simple innovation you need to solve the problems you’re trying to solve?
That’s for you to decide, but you can learn more about whether it might be just the solution you need in this episode where I bring back Michael Ioffe to learn more about the journey he and the Arist team have been on over the past few months and find out more about where they are today.
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For as long as many of us can remember, you take a test at the end of a lesson or class to validate and solidify the learning. However, what if science revealed that we should actually move it to the front?
The brain is a fascinating and complicated organ that is involved in every one of our functions, including learning. Unfortunately, the complexity can make it difficult for us to truly understand why things work the way they do, especially since what seems intuitive isn’t necessarily accurate.
In this episode, Charles Smith shares the latest in cognitive science and highlights a number of counterintuitive lessons about the way people learn. We also take a closer look at how Amplifire is taking those science lessons and applying them to their adaptive learning platform that not only delivers a unique learner experience but provides data and analytics that gives us unprecedented information about our employees.
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Creating visual stories that breaks down complex concepts and information into simple, easy-to-follow videos can’t be done by just anyone, right? Or can it?
In this episode we’re talking about how today’s technology is enabling individuals to take complex information and concepts and break them into simple, digestible stories your employees will watch.
How is that possible? Well, when you combine a repeatable, guided system that guides your expert through the process and combine that with artificial intelligence that analyzes the narrative and automatically chooses and times visuals that tell a compelling story, you have a tool that can rapidly create content that keeps up with the pace of work.
Listen as I chat with Paul Meyers and Aaron Alpert shared more about how SimpleShow got its start and how they’re using their expertise and technology to make your life easier.
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Overnight our world was turned on it’s head. For many organizations, work has been completely disrupted. The same holds true for many employees in their professional and personal, lives dramatically impacting their emotional state and professional capacity.
When chaos like this happens, it’s easy for panic to set in resulting in organizations and leaders scrambling for bandaids at the expense of strategically solving big issues.
The reality is, on the other side of this global event is an entirely new normal that every organization needs to be preparing for, and at the core of that new normal are the employees that make our organizations work.
Listen into this special episode of Learning Tech Talks when I talk with Matt Burns from Bento HR to talk about how #learning and #hr can better work together to strategically plan for what this new normal will look like in our organizations and how we can proactively prepare for it.
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Unless your leaders are deeply steeped in the latest research and learning tech trends, informing them you’re going to change the way you deliver content to be more adaptive is going to do more than raise some eyebrows. The word ‘adaptive’ will mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. And, how will they react when they realize that people won’t necessarily all be exposed to the same content? These are just a few of the important considerations you need to make before embarking on this type of transformation. And, even after you start your journey, there will be plenty of challenges ahead as you bring the organization along for the change. In this episode I talk with Nick Howe and Joe Barrow about what to expect when introducing the concept of adaptive learning to your organization and how Area9 Lyceum can help tell that story. After all, while the concept is great and the capability is powerful, you’re going to have to sell it to your organization long before you implement a platform.
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It’s been a common practice for years. Recently, it’s even made major headlines. As organizations seek to improve diversity and reduce bias, learning programs and initiatives are frequently at the forefront. Logically, creating awareness about our biases results in a change in behavior and ultimately a better outcome, right? Well, logic and data don’t always match up. In fact, is it possible our efforts may actually be contributing to the problem?
In this episode I talk with Dani Johnson from RedThread Research about the research that addresses the truth about Diversity and Unconscious Bias training.
Listen in to hear what the research is showing and what steps you can take to effectively improve D&I in your organization.
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We’ve all seen a catchy animated video at some point that grabbed our attention. It’s a nice break from the shaky selfie video or stuffy, corporate talking head stuff. You may have even paid to have one made for you because you thought it’d be too difficult or expensive to build in-house.
Well, I don’t believe engaging animated videos should be limited to organizations and individuals with big budgets or intense technical skills, and neither does Vyond. They’re on a mission to democratize animated videos and transform the way we communicate through video with a dash of fun.
This week I’m talking with Stacy Adams from Vyond (Formerly GoAnimate) about their cloud solution that’s making engaging animated video a reality for individuals and organizations alike. Whether you are looking for sketch animation, animation, or a combination of the two, they’ve got you covered.
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As an L&D or business leader, does improv immediately jump to mind as a solution to a number of the human challenges we’re facing amidst the coronavirus pandemic? I wouldn’t be surprised if many answered no to that question. However, I’d advocate it should be.
Amidst the ever-growing, gloomy news about the coronavirus and the negative impact it’s having on the world around us, this conversation is a breath of fresh air that’s focused on solutions instead of problems.
In this episode we talk with Bob Kulhan about how he has focused his experience and team at Business Improv to harness the power of improv and translate it into a solution that solves real business problems.
He’ll also share more about how their latest solution that is not only preparing people to operate in a virtual and distributed world but creates an opportunity for people to see how to do it in practice.
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With the coronavirus continuing to spread, social distancing is one of the most effective strategies for flattening the curve. However, this leaves many organizations scrambling to figure out how to communicate and collaborate in a world where employees are suddenly required to work from their homes.
Given the speed and agility required to address the crisis, there isn’t time to explore new technologies and navigate the implementation process. Fortunately, many organizations already have a number of tools in their portfolio that can help them bridge the gap.
In this episode I’m talking with Jordan Fladell from mLevel about the current state of affairs and how to successfully leverage your existing tech stack to quickly adapt to employees rapidly shifting into the remote work world and some of the resources they’ve created to help.
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Greater speed and efficiency while at the same time delivering content with a greater degree of relevance than ever before? Impossible, right? Wrong. That’s the beauty of today’s leading technologies.
By modeling a learner’s skill signature and pairing that with #machinelearning, modern technology can quickly and efficiently determine what content will be particularly important to the learner, and when it gets it wrong, #machinelearning allows it to learn from its mistakes, so it doesn’t happen again.
And, by allowing the machines to take most of this time-consuming activity off our hands (and do it better than we ever could), it allows us to focus on the higher-order activities.
Listen to our conversation with Toby Harris and Rob MacAllister about how magpie by Filtered is making this a reality.
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Emotions like learning are brain activities and are far more deeply interconnected than we often give them credit. The way we feel dramatically influences the way we think and perceive the world. As a result, it can have a dramatic influence on what and how we learn.
That means it’s critical that we do our best to take them into account when we think about learning and learning technology even though it’s a complex variable and not universal for all our learners.
Listen as I talk with Mike Kirk & Lea Sorrentino from BI Worldwide about the impact of emotions and feelings on the learner experience and ways we can be more intentional about ensuring we’ve accounted for that in our planning. You’ll also hear more about their Learning eXchange platform designed to keep that at its core.
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For many organizations, the challenge in supporting employee’s knowledge management needs is not a lack of content. The content exists, but it’s everywhere, lacks context, and is impossible to find. The act of curating that content through traditional methods is near impossible. Curating it and delivering it in a way that’s personalized to the end user and reaches them where they are, absent of technology, is beyond reach.
Enter in the Learning Experience Platform or Intelligent Learning Platform. Designed to sit on top of all your existing content sources, curate based on industry relevance, and measure skill progression while connecting into the platforms where your employees are actually working, they’re designed to deliver relevant information to employees where they need it most.
Listen as I talk with Nelson Sivalignam and Jon Magnus from HowNow about how their platform is using Artificial Intelligence to tackle these problems with speed and at scale.
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If you’ve been in L&D for a while, you’re probably familiar with the buzz around microlearning. And, if your even vaguely familiar with learning technology, the platform Axonify probably rings a bell. However, microlearning means a lot of things to a lot of different people, and there’s no shortage of companies that have attached that term to their brand.
Add to that, simply distributing bite-size chunks isn’t a silver bullet solution to any L&D problem. It’s about breaking content into manageable chunks, delivering it to employees when it’s relevant, reinforcing the desired knowledge and behaviors, and measuring the impact are all important elements of a successful learning experience. However, pulling all that together often proves to be a challenge.
Listen to my conversation with JD Dillion, Chief Learning Officer, at Axonify about what microlearning means to them and what else their platform has to offer that makes it a full-service solution.
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There’s an overwhelming and continually growing number of capabilities and applications for the latest in emerging technologies. Some of them you may not have even imagined possible. However, the potential being there and it being the right time to consider incorporating into your strategy are two very different things.
While your organization may not be ready to implement and support these capabilities yet, don’t be discouraged. A large majority of organizations aren’t even close to ready either, or the ones that are still have a long road ahead.
In this episode I geek out with my friend Mike Pino with the goal of helping you reimagine the possibilities while considering how to pragmatically bring them to life. Here’s a hint. It doesn’t start with tech.
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The learning tech purchasing process may feel like an overwhelming and unfamiliar quagmire, and believe me, it has no shortage of challenges. While there are definitely some process similarities like determining your needs, finding a few providers, and evaluating their offerings, there’s a lot more to the process than you may think.
However, half the battle is knowing what you’re in for and having as many of your ducks in a row before you even start an RFP. Will you still be navigating a bit of a minefield?
Candidly, yes. And, there will always be a few curveballs you won’t see coming, but if you chart a solid path, I promise you can safely make it to the other side.
Listen as I talked with Jordan Fladell from mLevel share candidly what it’s really like and share strategies for success.
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Video is a powerful tool for capturing the attention of your audience, and we can further extend that impact by making it an interactive experience. However, creating that kind of content may feel like a stretch for some.
It’s a process to plan and capture the video, make it production ready, deploy it to your audience.Add to that, without the right system behind the video, it can’t provide the insights and data required to evaluate whether it achieved your desired outcomes.
Check out my conversation with John Hudson from LumaOne where we explored the power and ease of interactive video content designed to tell compelling stories that create impactful results. John also shared more about the technology and services LumaOne offers and how they connect to some of the problems we’re trying to solve in L&D.
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There’s a reason the term LMS makes people cringe. It brings to mind memories of painful content delivered through a painful user experience. Now, to be fair, there’s a lot more going on that has resulted in those painful memories, but the LMS is a leading actor in that movie.
But, what if it didn’t have to be that way. What if the content and experience could be created and delivered in a way that was relevant, valuable, and accessible? What exactly would that content and experience look like?
Listen as I talk with Steve Dineen and Shys Gilles from FUSE Universal about how their platform is designed to break down the traditional barriers and create an experience that contributes to the learning culture needed for your organization’s success.
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If you’ve ever been involved in system training, you know how much work goes into preparing all the materials, getting everything out, and getting everyone up to speed only to discover most people didn’t retain much of anything.
Here’s another acronym to add to your learning technology library. The DAP or Digital Adoption Platform. Designed to provide employees with the support and guidance they need at the moment that they need it, this technology can dramatically change the way you think about system training and enablement.
Listen as I talk with Raj Sundarason from WalkMe about ditching a large majority of the traditional methods for system training and thinking about enabling performance through real-time guidance instead.
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Too often in L&D we execute first and then seek to measure the impact when we’re finished. This leaves us scrambling as we try to find and makes sense of the right information after we’re done and frequently leaves us shaking our heads. Add to that, technology often masks itself as a turnkey solution to help us achieve the measurement we seek. Unfortunately, that’s never the case
However, when you start with the end in mind, you can map out the desired outcomes and measurements you’ll need to achieve along the way to ensure you’re on the right track and can demonstrate the value of the work you do. Once that roadmap exists, you can augment the map with technology to improve the effiency, effectiveness, and scale at which you can measure.
Listen as Kevin M. Yates, Fact Finder for L&D, and I talk about how you manage to pull all of this together and slay the mythical learning measurement dragon.
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Let’s stop the debate about whether instructor-led or digital is good or bad and focus on optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of both. The reality is, they are simply tools and whether the execution is good or bad is our responsibility.
And, when you look at running instructor-led training, it’s a highly specialized operation that requires careful attention to finance, processes, and operational efficiency. Without this attention, you can find yourself struggling to justify the resources you need to drive your organization forward, or worse, in some very uncomfortable conversations with business leaders.
Listen as I chat with my friends at Training Orchestra about how their platform is designed to streamline the operational activities of L&D enabling our function to do more with less or, better yet, reinvest the savings into innovation and continuous improvement.
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With growing regulations like GDPR and CCPA combined with digital savvy employees, the need to proactively consider data privacy and ethics is critical. Ignoring it will result in severe consequences for you and your organization. Conversely, remaining uninformed and at the mercy of IT and compliance will unnecessarily limit your success in digitaltransformation.
Navigating it well requires understanding the implications and proactively connecting them to the digital efforts we lead to ensure you and your business partners can strike the right balance of remaining compliant while not avoiding transformation due to unnecessary risk aversion.
In our first practitioner episode Bas Debbink and I talk about the implications of these important topics on digital learning transformation and share our personal experiences and best practices for navigating them effectively.
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While many associate RPA, or robotic process automation, with assembly lines and warehouses, the reality is it’s quickly proving it’s capability in developing elearning content. However, just because something can be done doesn’t necessarily mean it it should.
In this episode, I talk with Micah White from CGS to explore how they’re experimenting with RPA for elearning content development and finding it to be effective in speeding up the process and improving efficiency along the way. However, it’s not without risk, and we talk about what considerations organizations should take before jumping in.
We also address what this means for individuals who have committed their careers to elearning development and how their roles might change as a result.
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We know practice is the best ways to improve a skill and role play is a great way to practice conversations. Unfortunately, the synchronous nature of traditional role-play is difficult to coordinate, often fails to scale, and requires a great deal of effort to measure.
In this episode I talk with Andrea Laus from SkillGym to hear how they’re taking digital role-based simulations in a different direction.
Hear how they’re using interactive video to create dynamic, asynchronous simulations that allow a learner to practice their skills when it works best for them while simultaneously assessing their progress and deconstructing the experience into actionable chunks.
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Developing strong leaders takes a lot more than blindly pushing leadership development and hoping something sticks. Listen to Joel Beasley and my lively discussion on why so many solutions struggle to make an impact and what makes Leaderbits stand out.
You’ll hear how what started as a leadership podcast for technology professionals grew into something far greater.
We talk about how they’ve taken the data from their hundreds of interviews with successful leaders and translated it into leadership journeys that include rich content and action-based challenges designed to develop the behaviors that matter.
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Learning and development is often tasked with demonstrating the impact of the work we do with data, which can prove a lot harder than it sounds. But there are technologies out there dedicated to helping solve this challenge, the LRS being one of them.
What on earth is an LRS? What does an LRS do? Does an LRS replace an LMS or an LXP? Can an LRS overcome failures to identify meaningful outcomes or magically identify the right measurments for success?
Listen in as I chat with Tim Dickinson to answer those questions and more while taking a deeper dive into how Watershed’s LRS is successfully pulling together data from across a multitude of business and learning systems and helping tell a compelling story about the impact of our work.
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Despite the overwhelming speed at which mobile technology is changing, there’s one capability that seems to be standing the test of time, is always in the hands of learners, and is readily available to users who lack high-speed mobile connections, text messaging.
But what does text messaging have to do with learning and development? Find out when I talk with Michael Ioffe about how his quest to teach entrepreneurship to teens in conflict zones led him to discover the power of text message education.
With astonishing completion rates and learner feedback, is it something you should be exploring for improving the way you deliver your content? Listen to find out.
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What if the latest in emerging technology could create meaningful experiences in the digital world and provide the speed and scale required to reach our employees without sacrificing the human interaction?
Impossible? Maybe Not!
Listen in as Mark Atkinson and I talk about how Mursion can create virtual environments and combines AI with human interaction to make the impossible possible.
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While leadership assessments have to potential to provide valuable data for the development needs of an organization’s leaders, they often do nothing more than gather virtual or actual dust.
But what if artificial intelligence could turn that data that you’re already collecting into nudges, chatbots and personal insights for Leadership Development and automate the coaching process?
It sounds futuristic, but the future is now. Listen in as I talk with Kevin Kruse about how LEADx is using technology to reduce the effort required to transform data into meaningful development opportunities for your leaders.
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Microlearning and gamification have created some controversy over the years. Some swear by them as the holy grail of learner engagement while others scoff at them as nothing more than buzzwords for ineffective practices. I don’t think you have to choose one side or the other. In reality they’re simply tools in a toolbox and when used for achieving the outcomes they were designed to achieve can work quite well. Conversely, when used incorrectly they do nothing but create a faux boost in your NPS scores. Listen as Jordan Fladell and I talk about the right situations to leverage these techniques and how MLevel’s digital platform can help you achieve success.
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The emergence of the LXP, or Learning Experience Platform, has created a healthy amount of noise in the L&D and broader HR community. Josh Bersin went so far as to give them their own category when he defined his breakdown of the learning technology product segments. They’ve gained so much popularity that many see them as the apex of the learning tech stack.
However, the rapid growth and popularity has also resulted in a number of misunderstandings about the parameters that define an LXP and created unrealistic expectations regarding their capabilities. In reality, like any learning technology, it’s simply a tool and when used for the wrong job, it is incapable of achieving the desired outcomes.
Listen in as I sit down with some of my friends over at Degreed to get their take on what it means to be an LXP, what problems their platform is designed to solve and what problems it’s not, and find out what it takes to ensure a successful implementation.
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Mobile optimized content is only helpful if it’s deployed in a platform that’s optimized for mobile use. That’s exactly what Scrimmage set out to do, and it has won a lot of awards for how it accomplishes that. Now, it certainly doesn’t hurt that it comes with features for robust meeting management, a built in gamification engine, social collaboration capabilities and more.
But, is it the right solution to the problems your trying to solve? In this episode you’ll get the information you need to make that decision while I sit down with Derek Lundsted to find out more about what Scrimmage is all about.
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True adaptive learning is about more than making content recommendations to learners as they browse your LMS. It’s about continually assessing their knowledge, capabilities, and confidence in order to personalize content to their specific needs. It sounds so easy yet is a very complicated task that requires powerful technology. In this episode, I chat with Nick Howe, Chief Learning Officer at Area9 Lyceum, about the specifics of adaptive learning and how their platform successfully accomplishes it while realistically assessing what it takes to bring it to live in an organization.
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An LMS that delivers performance at the speed, scale, and quality your business needs with a frictionless user experience that addresses critical points of failure and provides learning relevancy in the flow of work. Sounds awesome! But what exactly does that mean? In this episode I chat with David James, Chief Learning Office, at Looop to dig beneath the buzzwords and marketing speak to find out how Looop is solving real problems, the range of its capabilities, how it’s unique in the market, and what it takes to make it a success.
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