Think AI is all about buzzwords and breakthrough moments? Think again. Markus and Chris navigate the gritty reality of AI’s ‘messy middle’—the point where big ideas meet even bigger challenges. Grab your headset and get ready for an unexpected dive into the future of tech, where innovation truly happens after the hype fades. From ethical dilemmas to economic realities, this episode will change how you see AI’s role in our world.

• Chris Pedder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jb-pedder/
• Obrizum - https://obrizum.com/
• Ray Kurzweil - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Kurzweil
• Perplexity - https://www.perplexity.ai/
• you.com - https://you.com/
• Corey Doctorow on Enshittification - https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guys
• Nick Bostrum on Paperclips - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118922590.ch23
• IBM article on AI Alignment - https://research.ibm.com/blog/what-is-alignment-ai
• Anil Seth on Consciousness and AI - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/tz6an

We take a break from our regularly featured programming. The following is the audio from a special, informal discussion about AI that LDA recently produced for our community. We thought it lent itself nicely to the podcast, as well.

In this special discussion, Lori Niles-Hofmann and Stella Lee school Matt on the basic ins and outs of AI. We talk about what AI is. We talk about the different types of AI. Matt asks whether the world of Terminator is soon coming to pass! Stella and Lori correct that notion.

We dive into the ethical issues that using AI impact both short-, and long-term. We delve into how information gets curated on different AI platforms. We explore the implications in general, as well as for L&D, when using AI. Specifically we look at the practical implications. Can we use AI to help us solve some of those wicked problems we face?

Lori and Stella share advice on how to engage with vendors pushing their AI offerings. Or, at least some questions one might ask when others are authorized to buy, but you have to use it.

Speaking of practical… and speaking of ethics… when is it ok to use AI when constructing designs, writing, or researching? What are hallucinations? When does the AI misunderstand us? How do we misunderstand what we get from it?

While many are way more educated and knowledgeable about AI than Matt. Many others are still confused about what it all means and what it does— but are frankly, slightly… mildly… embarrassed to ask.

Ok… Matt admits, he had no clue what generative AI referred to instead of “regular” AI. But he does now, as a result of Stella and Lori's educational explanations.

The bottom line is this special program provides the highlights of AI basics as it pertains to L&D. We hope you enjoy!

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Lori is a senior learning strategist with over 20 years’ of L&D experience. Specializing in large-scale digital learning transformation, Lori is passionate about helping companies navigate the ambiguity of change. After leading and completing numerous EdTech implementations, Lori has developed the data-based methodologies and frameworks that empower L&D teams to move from a business support function to strategic business driver. Lori is currently based in Toronto, Canada with one foot in Europe.

With over 20 years of experience in the e-learning and edtech industry, Stella is a director at Paradox Learning, a consulting firm that provides and evaluates innovative learning solutions across multiple devices, cultures, and platforms. She work with clients from various sectors, such as government, education, non-profit, and corporate, to help them achieve their learning and development goals with data-driven and technology-enabled approaches. As a consultant, startup advisor, writer, speaker, community organizer, educator, and researcher, she is passionate about sharing her insights and expertise on e-learning, edtech, AI, learning analytics, adaptive and personalized learning, and more.

We are rejoined by Will Thalheimer to talk about one of his favorite topics, awards in the L&D industry. Should we have them? Should we give them out? How do we do it better… if at all?

We explore a pretty exhaustive list of the general issues with using and distributing awards among industry professionals by industry professional groups. Heck, we even find a few good points to support the tradition, as well.

• Are these industry awards fair?
• Are they judged effectively and fairly?
• What are, and should, be the criteria for winning an award? What rubric is used? Who designs the rubric? Are we even rewarding the “right” stuff (whatever that means)?
• What about money? Application fees? And paying for the awards? Bias? Vendor relationships?
• Heck, are these awards even manageable… doable in order to ensure claimed standards and fairness?
• ‎Is an evolving approach, perhaps to think about certification?
• Who judges the judges?

Will even hands out an award called the Neon Elephant Award, as he attempts to bypass many of the issues we discuss. You can learn more about it here: https://www.worklearning.com/2010/11/02/neon-elephant-award/. Does he succeed?

Yes— we know there are tons of awards out there, so we are speaking generically. But the questions of fairness and appropriate judgement still hold.

Matt references NASAGA. The North American Simulation and Gaming Association. We also reference ISPI, the International Society for Performance Improvement.

Any conversation about awards within the context of L&D would, and should, lead to a conversation about program and practitioner evaluation. We, of couse, talk about Will’s Learning Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM). You can learn more about that here: https://www.worklearning.com/ltem/.

Will brings up one of his passion ideas… that within L&D, we should have independent journalists investigating and report on how we do, what we do, and what we could do better. He originally talks it about it in the LDA Podcast, Episode 4.

And what about impact? Is impact the key? Or, are we missing the boat? What about the differences between learning and impact? How do we ensure that our learning engagement was actually the cause of the identified impact.

LDA had the wonderful, Alex Edmans, from the London Business School, on our MEET THE AUTHOR Series. The video is here: https://members.ldaccelerator.com/c/meet-the-author-space/meet-the-author-alex-edmans. We reference his new book, May Contain Lies. You can find the book and learn more about Alex, here: https://alexedmans.com/books/

Will’s new book is The CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning, and Work. You can learn more and buy it here: https://www.ceosguide.net.

You can learn more about Will here: https://www.worklearning.com/about/.

In this episode of the AI and L&D Insights Podcast, Markus sits down with Katja Schipperheijn, a pioneer in learning ecosystems and recently named a 2024 Power Woman. Katja shares her journey from traditional sales training to spearheading innovative learning environments that prioritize social collaboration and AI-driven personalization. Discover how Katja’s concept of "Learning in the Flow of Life" challenges conventional educational models and why embracing a Learning Mindset is critical for both personal and organizational growth. Tune in to explore the future of learning, where technology and human curiosity meet.

Book "The Learning Mindset": https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Mindset-Combining-Competencies-Technology/dp/1398617334/ref=sr_1_1

Book "Learning Ecosystems": https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Ecosystems-Innovative-Tech-driven-Strategies/dp/1398607401/ref=sr_1_2

Katja on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjaschipperheijn/

Katja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katjaschipperheijn/

The Learning Mindset: https://thelearningmindset.org/

In this episode, Matt and Clark are joined by the great Karl Kapp. We dive into a favorite topic… using commercial games for learning.

Shameless plug… The Commercial Games Workshop with Karl Kapp and Matt on December 11-12, 2024 in Philadelphia.

We talk about how to utilize games and activities for team building and ensure they become both domain specific and transfer back to the workplace. We also distinguish between cooperative and competitive gaming experiences, as well as their respective pros and cons. We discuss tips, constraints, and applications for using games— specifically commercial games.

The game itself is never the goal… we talk about how to leverage the game to reach an instructional purpose. We talk about balancing fun and the objective. We talk about debriefing game play. Karl refers to war gaming. Learning is a system. A game is a system that is a part of that greater learning system.

Clark refers to Kurt Squire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Squire

Game of Phones— Kris Rockwell: https://briandusablon.com/2011/07/01/a-game-of-phones/

Matt references Board Game Geek. https://boardgamegeek.com

Wil Wheaton's Tabletop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THjo1hjtz0g&list=PL7atuZxmT956cWFGxqSyRdn6GWhBxiAwE

• Civilization
• Escape Rooms
• Timeline
• Forbidden Island
• New York Times’ Flashback
• Fluxx
• Break the Safe
• ‎Monopoly
• ‎Oregon Trail
• ‎Lost Dutchman Goldmine (by Scott Simmerman)
• ‎Risk
• ‎Stratego
• ‎Ticket to Ride
• ‎Age of Empires
• ‎Pandemic
• ‎Barnga
• ‎War
• ‎Gin Rummy
• ‎Ninety-Nine
• ‎Cards Against Humanity
• ‎Titan Quest
• ‎Firefly
• ‎‎Code Names
• NYT Connections
• ‎Reigns
• ‎Candy Crush
• ‎Plants vs. Zombies
• ‎Murder by Choice
• ‎JJ Abrams’ S.
• Temple Run
• ‎The Dwarf King
• ‎Hanabi
• ‎‎Guillotine
• ‎Hearts
• ‎Pitch
• ‎Cassino
• ‎NYT Strands

A bit about Karl… He has over 27 years of experience as a professor of instructional technology and 15 years as the Director of the Institute for Interactive Technologies at Bloomsburg University— now Commonwealth University, He helps people understand the convergence of learning, technology, games and game-thinking through fun, laughter and insight. As the founder of the Learning and Development Mentor Academy, he provides seasoned L&D professionals with access to a library of on-demand, self-paced workshops, monthly live sessions, and a vibrant community of peers and experts. Karl also co-founded Enterprise Game Stack, a company that designs, develops and delivers online, digital card activities and games that keep participants focused, engaged, and collaborative, while reinforcing learning both in the moment and over time.

You can find Karl on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkapp/

Or on his website, https://karlkapp.com

In this episode of the AI and L&D Insights podcast, Markus Bernhardt hosts Jon Fletcher, an AI adoption specialist, to discuss the current landscape of AI integration in people and learning functions. They explore the recent slowdown in AI adoption, the challenges of balancing individual and organizational AI use, and the critical role of ethical and regulatory considerations, such as the EU AI Act. Jon emphasizes the need for clear AI strategies, proper training, and a holistic approach to redesigning workflows to support employees effectively. Join Markus and Jon for valuable insights on navigating the complexities of AI adoption in learning and development.

Jon Fletcher www.linkedin.com/in/jnfJon Fletcher's website https://www.jonfletcher.ai

The EU AI Act https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20230601STO93804/eu-ai-act-first-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence

We are delighted to have the great Koreen Pagano join the podcast for the furthering conversation on skills. We get Koreen’s perspective and definition of skills.

Matt alludes to the earlier LDA Podcast, The “What the Skills” Episode with Paul Kirschner, as well as the research work he did with John Sweller and Richard Clark published in their article:

• Kirschner, P.A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R.E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational Psychologist. 41(2), 75-86.

In the episode, we dig into whether one can teach, and how one can teach, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and even tease the subject of teaching leadership.

The debate really gets playfully heated when they talk about critical thinking. Clark uses the famous phrase, “yes… and…” Matt references the great improv in business practitioner, Kat Koppett. Her first book, Training to Imagine is a great source to go into yes, anding… in more depth.

Matt references evolutionary skills and brings up the references from Sweller:

• Sweller, J. (2016). Cognitive Load Theory: What We Learn and How We Learn. In M. Spector, B. Lockee, & M. Childress (Eds.), Learning, design, and technology (pp. 1–28). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_50-1

And Geary

• Geary, D. C. (2008). An evolutionarily informed education science. Educational Psychologist, 43(4), 179–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520802392133

We discuss what it means to master skills, and develop automation. We also explore how to assess whether a person has a skill or the potential to develop a skill.

We debate transferability and whether skills— especially complex skills need be taught within a contextual domain. Matt argues yes. Koreen argues no. Clark argues “It depends.” They also debate whether, and how much, talent plays into skill development. Heck… is talent even a thing? The big argument centers around Carnegie Hall and playing golf! And of course, Anders Ericsson is a part of the conversation.

• Ericsson, K. A., & Charness, N. (1994). Expert performance: Its structure and acquisition. American Psychologist, 49: 725–747.

Matt referenced the Human Development expert, Richard Lerner.

Koreen references the hostage negotiator, Chris Voss and his book, Never Split the Difference.

And we even debate how transferrable the skill of game design is!

And we talked about so much more!!!

Of course, we run out of time because we had so much fun chatting with Koreen… that we didn’t get to Best and Worst! Next time… and Koreen will be back!

Koreen Pagano, Chief Product Officer at Thrive Learning and founder of Isanno, is a globally recognized product executive with deep expertise in learning technologies, skills strategy, AI, analytics, and immersive technologies. Koreen has held product leadership roles at companies including Lynda.com, LinkedIn, D2L, Degreed, and Wiley. Koreen previously founded Tandem Learning in 2008, where she pioneered immersive learning through virtual worlds, games, and simulations. She has taught graduate courses at Harrisburg University and provided advisory and consulting services to a range of tech companies in the corporate learning, VR, and K12 education markets. Koreen is a seasoned international speaker, author of the book Immersive Learning and an upcoming book on organizational skills transformation due out in 2025.

You can find Koreen here:

https://isanno.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreenpagano/