AI shockwaves and human resilience in L&D

At the Learning Technologies Conference 2025, John Helmer speaks with leading voices in learning and AI—including Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, Jerome Pereira, Sophie Costin, Tadelayo Sodipe, and Donald H. Taylor—about disruption, ethics, innovation, and the changing role of L&D.   

• 00:03:08 - Intro
• 00:05:08 - Josh Bersin
• 00:41:44 - Daniel Hulme
• 01:01:39 - David Kelly
• 01:26:57 - Prof. Jerome Pereira
• 01:58:09 - Sophie Costin
• 02:12:23 - Tadelayo Sodipe
• 02:33:39 - Donald H. Taylor
• 03:01:44 - End

 

Connect with John Helmer

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer
• X: @johnhelmer
• Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social
• Website: learninghackpodcast.com

Leading Through Culture, Teams, and AI-driven Change

John Helmer discusses organizational culture, collective leadership, and AI's impact on future workplaces with Kevin Oakes (CEO, i4cp), Kim McMurdo (Global Head of OD, Standard Chartered), and Terry Jones (International Head of Talent Development, ex-PaloAlto Networks). Key themes include culture renovation, developing team-centric leadership capabilities, and leveraging AI for enhanced human productivity in rapidly evolving organizations.

The McKinsey paper mentioned in Kim's interview: 

• De Smet, A., D’Auria, G., Meijknecht, L., Albaharna, M., & Fifer, A. (2024, October 31). Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits. McKinsey & Company. This article is available online at https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/go-teams-when-teams-get-healthier-the-whole-organization-benefits. (Please note that access to the full text may require a subscription or purchase.)

 

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 – Start

• 00:01:09 – Intro

• 00:03:31 – Kevin Oakes on culture renovation vs. culture change

• 00:27:58 – Kim McMurdo on collective leadership and hybrid teams

• 00:48:41 – Terry Jones on innovation, disruption, and practical AI use

• 01:14:59 – End

Contact:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer

• X: @johnhelmer

• Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social

• Website: learninghackpodcast.com

The Battle To Keep Inclusion on the Organizational Agenda.

Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) under existential threat? With political shifts and corporate cutbacks, is this the end of D.E.I. as we know it—or just a moment of transformation?

In this episode, John Helmer speaks with Amri B. Johnson, author of Reconstructing Inclusion and CEO of Inclusion Wins, about the evolving landscape of D.E.I. in the workplace. They discuss whether D.E.I. is fundamentally flawed, if it will persist under different branding, and how organizations should adapt to changing times.

Amri's links:

• Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonathan/
• Dr. Lauran Star https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauranstar/
• Dr. David Livermore https://davidlivermore.com/
• Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. https://sdms360.com/2017/11/30/the-shamming-of-diversity/
• Frederick G. Falker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajf1iMlwi_o
• Peter Mousaferiadis https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermousaferiadis/
• Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano https://www.linkedin.com/in/adblanche/

 

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00 – Start

• 01:09 – Intro

• 04:36 – Does he still have a job?

• 11:30 – Is the language of D.E.I. one of the problems with it?

• 22:19 – Will D.E.I. persist, but change its name and go underground?

• 25:40 – How does he respond to the studies that show D.E.I. training doesn’t work?

• 30:26 – Is D.E.I. just ‘woke capital’ at work?

• 51:41 – End

 

Connect with Amri B. Johnson:

• Website: Inclusion Wins

• LinkedIn: Amri B. Johnson’s Profile

• Twitter: @amribjohnson

 

Follow The Learning Hack:

Website: learninghackpodcast.com

LinkedIn: John Helmer

X (Twitter): @johnhelmer

Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social

 

In this episode, John Helmer engages with UK-based artificial intelligence expert Robert Guidi to explore the potential impact of AI on Learning and Development (L&D). With a background in data science and technology policy, Robert has worked across industries to help organizations navigate the opportunities and risks of AI adoption, translating complex AI concepts into practical strategies. They discuss whether AI poses an existential threat to the L&D profession or offers new opportunities for growth and innovation. The conversation delves into practical applications of AI in L&D, the challenges of implementation, and the future landscape of learning technologies. They also discuss the book Robert is writing: ‘ChatL&D: A Practical Guide to AI-Powered Performance Support’. 

• Support the crowd funder for the book here (This link will be live from 4 March 2025)

Timestamps:

• 00:01:09 - Intro

• 00:03:36 - Does the world need another book about AI?

• 00:12:30 - Is AI an existential threat to L&D?

• 00:17:31 - An opportunity for 70/20/10 approaches?

• 00:25:27 - Generic versus specialized software tools

• 00:28:43 - The problem of ‘model drift’

• 00:31:35 - Implementation challenges

• 00:43:23 - Change Management

• 00:45:31 - Agentic AI

• 00:55:29 - Small language models

• 01:05:41 - When will the book come out?

• 01:09:11 - End

 

Contact Robert Guidi:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertguidi

 

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.learninghackpodcast.com

• Twitter: @johnhelmer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-hack-podcast

Mastering Skills Tech: Implementation, Validation & Organizational Change. In this episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of skills technology with Teresa Rose, an award-winning learning and performance consultant and founder of ConsultHer Ltd. With over 16 years of experience in organizational and people development, Teresa shares her insights on implementing skills technology, the importance of skills validation, and how organizations can adapt to make skills initiatives successful. We also explore topics such as process mapping, change management, and designing effective reskilling journeys. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage skills to drive organizational success.

 

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Start

• 01:09 - Intro

• 03:35 - Implementing skills technology

• 07:45 - Skills validation

• 10:31 - Data sources for skills tech

• 21:22 - How does an organization need to adapt to make skills technology work?

• 24:24 - Process mapping

• 29:08 - Change management

• 37:44 - Skills portfolio management

• 40:23 - Designing reskilling journeys

• 46:45 - Further reading

• 49:06 - End

 

Guest Contact Information:

Teresa Rose

• Website: www.consulther.co.uk

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresar

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Guy W. Wallace’s work on process mapping and performance improvement

• Peter Sheppard’s insights on skill sensing networks at Ericsson

• Uncommon Sense by Julia Galef – a recommended read on decision-making and critical thinking

• The Oxford Review – for research on competencies and skills in organizational performance

 

Connect with Us:

• Website: www.learninghackpodcast.com

• Twitter: @johnhelmer

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-hack-podcast

 

Challenging assumptions about learning, performance, and the rise of AI.

Nick Shackleton-Jones returns to The Learning Hack to challenge assumptions about learning theory, discuss his Affective Context Model, and reflect on the future of workplace learning. From TikTok as a learning platform to the risks of deceptive AI, this thought-provoking conversation will inspire and provoke in equal measure. Prepare for fresh insights and bold perspectives from one of learning’s great minds.

• 00:00:00 - Start
• 00:01:09 - Intro
• 00:03:40 - TikTok: the ultimate learning platform?
• 00:09:28 - What has Nick been doing in the last 5 years?
• 00:22:43 - Is learning ROI based on magical thinking
• 00:27:37 - How has his thinking changed since he first wrote ‘How People Learn’?
• 00:36:26 - Have digital media become too poisonous for learning?
• 00:42:37 - Has the move to performance support really happened in L&D?
• 00:47:05 - AI: Is Nick a P-Doomer?
• 01:09:41 - Who does he follow in learning?
• 01:13:03 - End

Contact John Helmer

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer
• X: @johnhelmer
• Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social
• Website: learninghackpodcast.com

Voices from Berlin: Learning in the Age of AI.

In this episode, John Helmer reports from the Online Educa Berlin (OEB) Conference, engaging with four influential voices in learning and development: futurist Gerd Leonhard, workplace learning expert Laura Overton, digital education innovator Maribel Reyes-Millán, and L&D thought leader Donald H. Taylor. Together, they discuss the transformative power of AI, strategies for navigating disruption, and the evolving demands of learning in an uncertain world.

• 00:00:00 - Start
• 00:01:06 - Intro
• 00:03:08 - Gerd Leonhard
• 00:22:32 - Laura Overton
• 00:46:23 - Maribel Reyes Millán
• 01:00:52 - Donald H. Taylor
• 01:21:06 - End

Contact John Helmer

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer
• X: @johnhelmer
• Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social
• Website: learninghackpodcast.com

Revisiting Learning Theories: Insights and Challenges for the Future

In this special live episode of Great Minds on Learning, recorded at Online Educa Berlin 2024, Donald Clark and John Helmer tackle listener questions about learning theory’s relevance, biases, and practical applications. They reflect on three years of the podcast, exploring 2,500 years of educational thought, and discuss the future of learning, including the transformative impact of AI. Engaging and insightful, this episode is a must-listen for learning professionals and enthusiasts alike.

 

• 00:00 - Start
• 00:59 - Introducing GMoL Question Time
• 08:17 - Why this podcast?
• 30:52 - What are the ‘lessons learned’?
• 47:48 - What next? AI and the future of institutional learning

The Blog that started it all:

•  https://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2021/09/these-were-written-as-quick-readable.html

 

Contact Donald

• X: @DonaldClark
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-clark-04553022/
• Blog: http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/

 

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/
• Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com/

Breaking Barriers: Disability Awareness and Cultural Change in Workplaces

In this episode, Chris Jay, founder of Bascule Disability Training, shares insights into creating inclusive workplaces and tackling stereotypes about disability. Drawing from personal experiences as a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Chris discusses the economic benefits of inclusion, the challenges of hidden disabilities, and the importance of cultural change. He also explores disability representation in media through his film initiative, Bascule Entertainment, advocating for authentic, empowering narratives.

• 00:00 - Start
• 00:51 - Intro
• 08:31 - Has disabilty awareness improved?
• 12:42 - The economic case for workplace inclusivity
• 15:42 - Hidden disabilities
• 20:04 - Does DEI training work?
• 24:03 - What really works in inclusiveness training?
• 28:51 - Do mental health disabiities get more ‘airtime’ nowadays than physical?
• 31:14 - Chris’s work in showbiz
• 36:55 - Where does he go for inspiration and information?
• 40:02 – End

Follow Chris Jay:

• ·      LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-jay-bascule
• ·      Websites:
• bascule.com (Bascule Disability Training)
• bascule.com/training/business-training (Training for Businesses)
• bascule.com/online-training (Bascule's online training)
• Email: [email protected]

  

Contact John Helmer

• X: @johnhelmer
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer
• Website: learninghackpodcast.com
• Patreon: patreon.com/LearningHack

Send in your questions for the Great Minds on Learning Q&A! Donald Clark and John Helmer will answer them at Online Educa Conference in Berlin, which will be recorded for a podcast episode to be issued before Christmas 2024. Email them in to [email protected] or reach out on social media.