Future-Focused with Christopher Lind

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****

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-provoking

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

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

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.

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

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.

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