We’re in a pivotal moment for learning and development. But is the industry ready for what comes next?

In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt sits down with Donald Taylor to unpack the latest findings from the Global Sentiment Survey, one of the longest-running studies tracking trends in L&D, which he co-authored.

With nearly 3,800 responses from over 100 countries, this year’s survey reveals how the conversation around AI is changing. The rapid rise hasn’t stopped, but it has slowed, and what’s emerging in its place is quite complex.

AI still leads as the top trend, but the conversation is shifting. Concerns around job security, ethics, and long-term impact are becoming harder to ignore, while the pressure to prove value is rising fast. At the same time, areas like learning analytics are starting to slip.

Throughout the discussion, Matt and Donald unpack what’s driving both the excitement and the uncertainty, from that growing need to demonstrate impact, to why some of the most traditionally important areas are also the ones being left behind.

They also dig into what this moment means in practice. Not just how AI is being used day to day, but how it’s starting to reshape the role of L&D itself.

Learning points from the episode include:

• 00:00 - 00:35 - Intro
• 00:35 - 01:40 - What is the Global Sentiment Survey?
• 01:40 - 02:46 - Why the rise of AI is starting to slow down
• 02:46 - 04:27 - Rising survey annual response rates and what they tell us
• 04:27 - 06:52 - How AI in L&D is currently being used
• 06:52 - 10:09 - AI in L&D: the drivers behind industry pushback and excitement
• 10:09 - 13:43 - How priorities in L&D are changing
• 13:43 - 15:33 - The rising pressure on professionals
• 15:33 - 18:57 - Marketing in L&D and predictions of a data-driven future
• 18:57 - 21:13 - Why “showing value” is paramount today
• 21:13 - 24:52 - The core groups of respondents for the Global Sentiment Survey
• 24:52 - 26:29 - Next steps and future plans for the Global Sentiment Survey
• 26:29 - 27:28 - Tracking global trends within the L&D industry
• 27:28 - 31:20 - Navigating emerging industry shifts
• 31:20 - 32:20 - Donald’s final take
• 32:20 - 33:05 Matt’s outro

Important links and mentions:

• Connect with Donald Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldhtaylor/
• Visit Donald Taylor’s website: https://www.donaldhtaylor.co.uk
• Check out the 2026 Global Sentiment Survey Report: https://donaldhtaylor.co.uk/research_base/global-sentiment-survey-2026/

What if video could shave 20 minutes off your leadership meetings and help your team come prepared with the right questions?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Chris King, Principal Consultant at CRK Learning LLC, to explore how project managers working in L&D can use video to communicate more effectively.

Chris manages a multimillion-dollar e-learning project with a team of around 25 people, and he’s found that recording video walkthroughs of spreadsheets, creating how-to videos for SMEs, and sharing quick video updates in place of emails can transform how a project runs.

The conversation covers Chris’s take on the three core types of PM communication, the tools he relies on day-to-day, and why working with the right team matters as much as having the right process.

Chris also shares his thoughts on using visuals in presentations, why he prefers icons and process flows over cinematic imagery, and what the future of AI-driven video could look like in learning experiences.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 – 00:48 Introduction
2. 00:48 – 01:27 Chris’s background and PMP certification
3. 01:27 – 03:12 Being a ‘gist person’ as a project manager
4. 03:12 – 05:41 The three types of project management communication
5. 05:41 – 07:07 Chris' preferred tools: ClickUp, Excel, PowerPoint, and Slack
6. 07:07 – 09:05 Using video for project reports and leadership meetings
7. 09:05 – 10:42 Using video to onboard subject matter experts
8. 10:42 – 12:55 How teams respond to video communication
9. 12:55 – 16:16 Visuals in presentations, AI image generation, and Chris’s visual style
10. 16:16 – 18:07 Experimenting with AI video in practice modules
11. 18:07 – 20:39 Using video like an email and advice for the hesitant
12. 20:39 – 23:13 Speed round
13. 23:13 – 24:03 How to connect with Chris
14. 24:03 – 24:23 Chris’s final take
15. 24:23 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingpin/
2. Learn more about Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/
3. Explore Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/
4. Learn more about Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/

How can you use the cognitive properties of media for the best training and learning outcomes?

Whether you’re in training, in learning development, or you’re a creator making videos for your own YouTube channel, learning and understanding are non-negotiable.

This idea especially rings true in an age when people consume media across an ever-expanding variety of channels. How do you hold their attention? How do you present information in a way that people truly understand?

Dr Clark Quinn, PHD provides learning experiences and design strategies to corporations, higher education institutions, government, and not-for-profit organizations. In this revisited episode of The Visual Lounge, he dives deep into cognitive media and how to create meaningful learning experiences.

He also talks about how to transpose your knowledge into the media you make, and why creating video for video’s sake rarely achieves the best outcomes.

Join us (or rejoin us) for a greater understanding of how to integrate thinking and learning with technology to improve organizational execution, innovation and, of course, performance.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 - 01:10 Dr Quinn’s perspective on cognitive science
2. 01:10 - 03:09 Matt’s intro
3. 03:09 - 04:33 When and when not to use video for the best outcomes
4. 04:33 - 06:19 Making media choices that communicate your story in the best compelling way
5. 06:19 - 11:04 Understanding and applying dynamic and static cognitive properties
6. 11:04 - 16:08 Improving learning outcomes by giving context and examples
7. 16:08 - 20:57 Should you use video templates that can be repurposed?
8. 20:57 - 25:11 Other things to know and consider about cognitive properties
9. 25:11 - 28:55 How to iterate what you’ve created effectively
10. 28:55 - 33:16 Speed round questions
11. 33:16 - 36:52 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Check out Dr Clark Quinn’s website: https://www.quinnovation.com
2. Follow Clark’s blog: https://blog.learnlets.com
3. Connect with Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinnovator/

What makes a story actually stick? And why do so many professionals get it wrong?

In this episode, host Matt Pierce sits down with Gabrielle Dolan, global business storytelling expert and author of eight books, to unpack why storytelling is one of the most underused skills in any professional's toolkit and what to do about it.

Gabrielle shares why personal stories outperform facts and data every time, how to overcome the fear of being "too vulnerable" at work, and the simple rules that separate a forgettable story from one people retell for years.

She also offers practical tips on how to start and end a story well, why authenticity is non-negotiable, and how even a short, imperfect attempt is always better than no story at all.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 – 01:58 Intro
2. 01:58 – 04:13 Gabrielle’s origin story
3. 04:13 – 06:55 What is the essence of a good story?
4. 06:55 – 08:43 An example of storytelling in action
5. 08:43 – 11:10 Using stories to help people understand, remember and retell
6. 11:10 – 14:35 How to use visuals in storytelling
7. 14:35 – 18:27 Why vulnerability is scary, but worth it
8. 18:27 – 20:16 The power of sharing stories around values in business
9. 20:16 – 23:11 Why you should share stories about mistakes
10. 23:11 – 26:41 Tips for telling stories well
11. 26:41 – 30:40 Speed round questions
12. 30:40 – 32:48 Matt’s final take and outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Connect with Gabrielle Dolan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/
2. Follow Gabrielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielledolan.1/
3. Subscribe to Gabrielle on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepingItRealwithJacandRal
4. Check out Gabrielle’s website: https://gabrielledolan.com/

Are you struggling to script engaging training videos? Or maybe viewers are getting confused, and you’re not quite sure how to hold people’s attention long enough to deliver any value.

In this episode, host Matt Pierce shares his tips for writing training video scripts that keep viewers engaged. Drawing on years of scriptwriting experience, Matt breaks down the fundamentals of writing a strong hook to building an outline that reinforces the value and learning goals from start to finish.

Matt touches on when and how to use AI while writing training video scripts. He explains how AI can help check your structure and flow, spot missing information, remove redundancy, or get you past the first blank page.

You’ll also learn two key principles for writing and recording better training videos, how to edit your work, and the importance of creating human-centred content, even if you do use AI tools to speed up your workflow.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 – 01:34 Intro
2. 01:34 – 01:54 Using AI for writing scripts
3. 01:54 – 06:22 How to write compelling hooks for videos
4. 06:22 – 08:16 Creating a strong structure and flow
5. 08:16 – 09:01 Using AI prompts in your scripting process
6. 09:01 – 11:18 Why your videos need to be easy to follow
7. 11:18 – 13:00 Adding your outcomes to your video script
8. 13:00 – 13:44 Why it’s important to always double-check your instructions
9. 13:44 – 15:44 What’s in it for your audience and reinforcing value
10. 15:44 – 17:29 Using specific phrases for signaling
11. 17:29 – 18:20 Using the personalization principle
12. 18:20 – 19:25 Using the “Hey Mom” principle
13. 19:25 – 20:32 Checking your script for redundancy and jargon
14. 20:32 – 21:57 Be ruthless with your editing
15. 21:57 – 23:12 Adding your call-to-action
16. 23:12 – 24:36 Bringing humanity into your scripts
17. 24:36 – 25:22 Matt’s final take
18. 25:22 – 26:07 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Learn more about the Human Framework for AI training videos: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/human-framework-for-ai-training-videos/

When you’re on camera, people decide how much they trust you a lot faster than you realize.

In this episode, we revisit a conversation with Peter Hopwood, a speaking coach who works with presenters, sales teams, founders, and TEDx presenters on how to be more confident and credible on screen. Peter shares what helps people connect through a camera, especially when the usual in-person cues aren’t there.

The conversation covers why curiosity is key to building trust, how voice and small physical movements influence engagement, and why many people misread audience reactions in virtual settings.

Peter also shares practical advice on eye contact, standing versus sitting, recording yourself to improve, and avoiding common distractions that can undermine your credibility without you even noticing.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 - 01:29 Intro
2. 01:29 - 04:22 Peter’s roots in the industry
3. 04:22 - 09:23 Defining success on camera
4. 09:23 - 13:50 Peter’s one tip for being on camera
5. 13:50 -18:25 Why is trust so important on video?
6. 18:25 - 23:43 Defining the role of visual aids
7. 23:43 - 27:07 Things Peter has seen that can break trust and why setting matters
8. 27:06 - 27:51 How to connect with Peter
9. 27:51 - 29:02 Peter's final take
10. 29:02 - 29:38 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Check out Peter’s website: http://www.peter-hopwood.com/
2. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterhopwoodpublicspeaking
3. Follow Peter on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopwoodMedia
4. Follow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterhopwood/
5. Listen to Peter’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-break-your-viewers-trust

Should AI avatars replace human presenters?

In part two of this research series on The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce is joined again by TechSmith Senior Market Researcher Stephanie Warnoff to discuss the latest findings from TechSmith's research on AI avatars in instructional video.

Building on episode 275 about AI voices, this conversation explores how different on-screen presenter styles affect viewer perception and information retention.

The study compares multiple formats, including human presenters, AI avatars, and alternative visual approaches. You’ll learn about common misconceptions teams have about avatars, why viewer reactions often differ from stated preferences, and where avatars may help or hurt depending on context.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 – 01:40 Intro
2. 01:40 – 03:45 What surprised Stephanie most in her findings on AI avatars
3. 03:45 – 05:20 The five video snippets used during the study
4. 05:20 – 08:27 How are perspectives around AI changing?
5. 08:27 – 11:25 When to use avatars, and when not to use avatars
6. 11:25 – 13:35 The impact of avatars on learning
7. 13:35 – 15:17 Stephanie’s advice on implementing AI avatars into work
8. 15:17 – 17:03 Stephanie's tips to people who are reluctant to use AI avatars
9. 17:03 – 18:29 Questions that Stephanie would like to answer in future research
10. 18:29 – 19:42 Matt's take on the research
11. 19:42 – 21:14 Stephanie's advice for people interested and how to get involved with TechSmith research
12. 21:14 – 21:59 Stephanie's final take
13. 21:59 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Connect with Stephanie: [email protected]
2. Learn more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/
3. Check out part one of this research series, episode 275, on AI voices: https://the-visual-lounge.captivate.fm/episode/275-ai-voices-impact-on-learning/

How much does audio really affect learning? And does it matter whether that voice is human or AI?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Stephanie Warnoff, Senior Market Researcher at TechSmith, to walk through new research that looks at how audio quality and AI narration influence learning outcomes, perceived professionalism, and retention in instructional video.

The study, conducted by TechSmith, was built around a simple experiment. Participants watched the same 45-second how-to video, with the visuals kept the same each time. The only variable was the audio. Viewers heard one of four versions: high-quality human narration, low-quality human narration, high-quality AI narration, and low-quality AI narration. What the team found was...surprising.

Throughout the conversation, Matt and Stephanie explore what the results mean for teams creating training and instructional content, especially as AI tools become easier to access.

This episode is part 1 of a two-part research series. Stay tuned for episode 2, where Matt and Stephanie take a closer look at the second half of the study, focusing on AI avatars, and how different avatar styles compare with human presenters in real learning contexts.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 - 01:19 Intro
2. 01:19 - 02:53 Stephanie's background
3. 02:53 - 04:59 TechSmith’s research on AI voices
4. 04:59 - 06:14 The four audio versions used during the study and how the experiment was structured
5. 06:14 - 07:47 What surprised Stephanie about the AI voices
6. 07:47 - 10:58 Is there a need for disclosure with AI?
7. 10:58 - 15:37 Signals for high quality voices
8. 15:37 - 18:04 Why poor audio quality performed better than high audio quality
9. 18:04 - 20:34 Other considerations for effectiveness of learning through AI
10. 20:34 - 23:08 Future research
11. 23:08 - 26:22 Closing thoughts
12. 26:22 - 27:01 Stephanie's final take
13. 27:01 - 28:00 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Connect with Stephanie: [email protected]
2. Learn more about the study in this blog post: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/ai-voices-avatars-in-training-videos/

Have you ever struggled to get the information you need from a subject matter expert? Or maybe you're the expert (SME), and you're not quite sure what the instructional designer actually wants from you?

In this episode, host Matt Pierce explores what subject matter experts actually need from instructional designers (IDs) to do their best work. Drawing from his experience on both sides of the dynamic, Matt breaks down seven key principles for building a strong SME-ID partnership that leads to better learning outcomes.

From being specific with requests and setting clear boundaries, to giving early feedback and closing the loop on how information gets used, Matt offers practical guidance for creating a smoother, more productive working relationship.

Matt also explores how video can strengthen communication between SMEs and IDs, whether that's recording verbal feedback, providing quick status updates, or simply adding a personal touch that helps you stand out in a busy SME's inbox.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 - 01:26 Introduction and the SME-ID dynamic
2. 01:26 - 03:25 Respecting SME time and being specific with requests
3. 03:25 - 05:57 Setting clear guardrails and context before asking for content
4. 05:57 - 08:11 Helping SMEs remember what it's like to be a beginner
5. 08:11 - 09:57 The importance of early, actionable feedback
6. 09:57 - 12:18 Pushing back when expertise doesn't serve the learner
7. 12:18 - 14:06 Giving SMEs something to react to rather than starting from nothing
8. 14:06 - 18:22 Closing the loop and using video to strengthen communication
9. 18:22 - 21:01 Matt’s final take and outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/
2. Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/
3. Audiate: https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/audiate/

Change is emotional. Even when the strategy is solid, people still feel uncertain, skeptical, or overwhelmed, especially when the vision feels huge and the path feels unclear.

In this revisited episode of The Visual Lounge (originally Episode 168), Matt sits down with Jake Gittleson, who leads McKinsey’s Learning Research and Innovation Lab. Jake shares why storytelling is one of the most effective tools L&D teams have for supporting change inside organisations.

Instead of trying to persuade people in one big moment, Jake explains why change stories should be shared over time, through small experiments, human insights, and incremental updates that meet people where they are.

He also breaks down practical ways to gather stories through interviews, outline your narrative, and use video and audio to create connection, without needing expensive gear or a polished production setup.

Learning points from the episode include:

1. 00:00 - 01:21 Introduction
2. 01:21 - 02:03 Jake’s background
3. 02:03 - 04:14 How Jake started using audio and video
4. 04:14 - 07:01 What does a successful change look like
5. 07:01 - 08:45 Creativity as a tip for using video at work
6. 08.45 - 11:55 Jake’s role and expertise in change and innovation
7. 11:55 - 15:11 Why human connection matters in change
8. 15:11 - 18:13 Operationalizing storytelling without big budgets
9. 18:13 - 21:13 Building the right stories
10. 21:13 - 27:10 Visual approaches to telling stories
11. 27:10 - 30:21 Capturing real voices
12. 30:21 - 39:51 Speed round
13. 39:51 - 40:46 Jake’s final take
14. 40:46 Outro

Important links and mentions:

1. Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-gittleson/
2. Check out The Learning Geeks podcast: https://www.learninggeekspod.com/
3. Listen to Jake’s first appearance on The Visual Lounge in episode 168: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ee9c311f-7f51-4a6c-a749-c2d7090a1274