Inside Learning | Unlocking human potential

Bankable Foresight: The New Skill Leaders Need in the AI Era

In a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever, how do leaders make the right decisions—without losing sight of what makes us human?

In this episode of Inside Learning, Aidan McCullen is joined by Kate O’Neill, tech humanist, author of What Matters Next, and advisor to organizations like Google, Netflix, and the United Nations.

Kate shares a powerful framework for navigating uncertainty, making smarter decisions, and shaping a better future—while keeping human experience at the centre.

You’ll discover:

• Why not making a decision is still a decision
• The critical difference between harms of action vs. inaction
• How to move from questions → insights → “bankable foresight”
• Why the future isn’t singular—but made up of multiple “futures”
• How leaders can align purpose, values, and strategy in a fast-changing world
• The emerging skill of “prompting” as a leadership capability
• Why AI should support human meaning—not replace it

Kate also explores a crucial idea:
We must not leave meaning-making to machines.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, educators, and anyone trying to stay relevant—and human—in the age of AI.

Inside Learning is brought to you by Learnovate, the global experts in the future of work and learning. Based at Trinity College Dublin and funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, Learnovate is a research centre with a mission to enhance the competitive advantage of the learning technology industry and help organisations maximise the impact of learning technology.

Learnovate’s vision is to play a significant role in transforming the lives of learners in the workplace, schools, universities, and the home. We are proud to be part of the Technology Centre programme funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, enabling Irish companies and multinationals to collaborate on market-focused strategic R&D with research institutions.

To find out more about Learnovate, visit the Learnovate Centre website.

https://learnovatecentre.org/

Find Kate here: 

https://www.koinsights.com/

Design Cognition, Cognitive Diversity & AI Teammates with Kathryn Jablokow

Kathryn Jablokow. Dean of Manhattan University’s School of Engineering, former NSF deputy division director, and co-author of the NSF Artificial Intelligence Roadmap joins Aidan McCullen to explore design cognition: how people think while solving design problems. 

They unpack why high-performance teams don’t just match skills to problems, but also match thinking styles to the type of challenge, plus how great facilitators make space for different contributors (including introverts who need time to reflect). 

The conversation then turns to AI as a teammate: how to avoid “sycophant” answers, how to prompt AI to generate genuinely different perspectives, and what it could look like to train LLMs to emulate cognitive diversity for better decisions and more creative outcomes.

 

Find Kathryn's papers:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybethgasman/2025/12/30/what-ai-cant-replace-and-why-that-matters/

https://www.techradar.com/pro/how-applying-cognitive-diversity-to-llms-could-transform-the-user-experience

Unveiling Creative AI: Insights with Maya Ackerman

In this episode of The Inside Learning Podcast, hosted by the Learnovate Centre, Aidan McCullen speaks with world-renowned AI researcher and Creative Machines author Maya Ackerman about the rise of generative AI and its impact on human creativity.

 

The conversation explores the hidden history of AI-generated creativity, from early computational creativity pioneers to modern large language models. Maya explains how scientists define creativity — novelty, value, and surprise — and how machines are beginning to operate inside that same creative space.

 

The episode also examines the capabilities and limitations of generative AI, the ethical challenges of treating AI as an “all-knowing oracle,” and why the future of creativity lies in human-AI collaboration rather than replacement.

 

Listeners will gain practical insight into how tools like Lyric Studio enhance human expression, how AI reflects human culture and bias, and what leaders must understand as creative AI reshapes work, learning, and society.

00:00 Introduction to the Inside Learning Podcast

00:15 Meet Maya Ackerman: AI Researcher and Author

01:08 The Unknown History of AI-Generated Creativity

02:50 Defining Creativity: Human and Machine Perspectives

03:58 The Ethics and Risks of AI in Creativity

05:35 Collaborative Creativity: Humans and AI Working Together

10:23 The Evolution of AI: From Expert Systems to Neural Networks

16:36 AI's Reflection of Human Society

22:07 The Future of AI and Human Creativity

29:18 Conclusion and Where to Find More

 

Find Maya: https://maya-ackerman.com/

 

Integrating AI and Gamification for Engaging Education: Insights from Kahoot!'s Sean D'Arcy

In this episode of Inside Learning, brought to you by the Learnovate Centre, host Aidan McCullen is joined by Sean D'Arcy, Chief Solutions Officer at Kahoot!—Europe’s largest EdTech platform.

They explore the post-pandemic challenges in education, including dwindling student attention and motivation, and how tools like Kahoot! are helping teachers reimagine engagement through gamification, interactivity, and now AI.

Sean shares how Kahoot! supports both K-12 and higher education through AI-powered quiz creation, student-led learning, and real-time feedback. The conversation also dives into the role of AI in personalized education, how workplace learning is evolving with Gen Z, and how organizations can rebuild culture and performance post-layoffs.

Key Takeaways:

• How AI is enhancing teacher productivity and learner engagement

• Shifts in learner psychology and classroom expectations

• Practical strategies for using Kahoot in classrooms and corporate training

• Insights into upskilling, microlearning, and future-ready skills

• The role of gamified learning in improving retention and morale post-layoffs

Perfect for educators, L&D professionals, and anyone passionate about the future of learning.

Find the articles mentioned here:

https://kahoot.com/blog/2025/10/06/training-after-layoffs-3-strategies-to-rebuild-engagement-and-performance/

Do More in Four: The Case for a Four-Day Workweek

In this episode of The Inside Learning Podcast, brought to you by the Learnovate Centre, we explore the concept of a four-day workweek with experts Joe O'Connor and Jared Lindzon. They discuss the historical roots of the five-day workweek, the productivity and well-being benefits of a shorter workweek, and how AI could reshape our approach to work. Learn how both individuals and organizations can adopt this innovative work model to improve productivity, foster a better work-life balance, and retain talent. Tune in to find out why a four-day workweek isn't just possible, but necessary in today's evolving work environment.

00:00 Introduction to the Inside Learning Podcast

00:15 The Case for a Four-Day Work Week

01:07 Meet the Authors: Joe O'Connor and Jared Lindzon

01:35 Questioning the Five-Day Work Week

03:41 Technological Advancements and Productivity Gains

05:22 The Role of AI in Modern Work

07:28 Historical Context of Work and Human Skills

10:09 Overcoming Resistance to Change

12:07 Benefits of a Four-Day Work Week

18:37 Advocating for a Four-Day Work Week

22:19 Implementing a Four-Day Work Week in Organizations

24:13 Individual Strategies for Efficiency

27:03 Conclusion and Where to Find More Information

 

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode

 

• Learnovate Centre: https://www.learnovatecentre.org

• Do More in Four (Book Website): https://www.domoreinfour.com

• Joe O’Connor – Work Time Revolution: https://www.worktimerevolution.com

• Jared Lindzon (Official Website): https://www.jaredlindzon.com

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Inside Learning is brought to you by the Learnovate Centre at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland. Learnovate’s research explores the science of learning and the future of work.

Debunking AI Myths: Insights from Sangeet Paul Choudary on the Future of Work

Welcome to another episode of The Inside Learning Podcast brought to you by the Learnovate Centre, where we explore the impact of AI on the future of work. In this episode, we are joined by Sangeet Paul Choudary, the author of 'Reshuffle,' to debunk common fallacies about AI, such as 'AI won't take your job, but somebody using AI will.' 

Sangeet dives deep into understanding how AI restructuring workflows, altering organizational logic, and redistributing power. Using real-life examples from various industries, he explains how we should refocus from task-level to system-level thinking to truly understand the changes AI brings. Sangeet discusses the importance of skills like curiosity and curation and provides actionable insights on how to stay valuable in an AI-driven world. Tune in to learn more about the fallacies of automation and augmentation, productivity gains, and the new value industry coordination layers bring.

 

00:00 Introduction to the Inside Learning Podcast

00:15 Debunking the AI Job Replacement Myth

01:02 Understanding the Systemic Impact of AI

02:06 Introducing the Guest: Sangeet Paul Choudary

02:23 Unpacking the AI Job Replacement Fallacy

02:53 The Automation vs. Augmentation Debate

04:25 The Typist Example: A Case Study

06:42 Skills for the Future: Curiosity and Curation

10:58 The Productivity Gains Fallacy

11:13 Coordination vs. Creation: Capturing Value

15:54 The Workflow Continuity Fallacy

17:18 The Neutral Tools Fallacy

21:30 The Stable Salary Fallacy

24:16 The Stable Firm Fallacy

25:22 Practical Takeaways for the Future of Work

29:49 Conclusion and Resources

 

Find Sangeet on Substack:

https://open.substack.com/pub/platforms/p/the-many-fallacies-of-ai-wont-take?r=jzz68&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Find Reshuffle:

https://amzn.to/46NGtvv

 

Productive Failure: A New Paradigm for Learning with Manu Kapur

Productive Failure: A New Paradigm for Learning with Manu Kapur

What if the best way to learn isn’t to get it right the first time—but to fail first?

In this episode of Inside Learning, we’re joined by Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure. Kapur introduces a radical shift in how we think about education and training: instead of shielding learners from mistakes, we should intentionally design for failure as the gateway to deep understanding.

We explore:

1. Why traditional Direct Instructionoften fails even when delivered by excellent teachers.
2. How novices “can’t see what they don’t yet know” — and why the first job of teaching is to prepare them to see with an expert’s eyes.
3. The science behind Productive Failure — from Activationto Awareness, Affect, and Assembly.
4. Evidence showing that Productive Failure can produce learning gains three times greaterthan conventional methods.
5. Practical ways educators, trainers, and leaders can create safe, curated failure experiences that build resilience, creativity, and deeper transfer of knowledge.

As Kapur puts it: “Fail first, learn later.”

Join us for a conversation that challenges the way we teach, train, and even think about learning itself.

Find out more here: https://www.productivefailure.com

Design for How People Learn with Julie Dirksen

In this episode of the Inside Learning Podcast, brought to you by the Learnovate Centre, we dive deep into the principles of effective learning with special guest Julie Dirksen, author of 'Design for How People Learn' and 'Talk to the Elephant.' Julie and host explore topics such as designing impactful learning experiences, the role of habit formation, and the importance of understanding learner objectives. Julie shares insights on overcoming resistance to change, leveraging AI in learning, and the importance of bridging knowledge gaps. This engaging conversation is a must-watch for educators, instructional designers, and leaders aiming to create meaningful and sustainable learning environments. Learn more about the science of learning and the future of work at Learnovatecentre.org.

 

00:00 Introduction to the Inside Learning Podcast

00:15 The Importance of Effective Learning Experiences

01:02 Welcome Julie Dirksen: Author and Learning Expert

02:27 Communicating Learning Objectives

08:15 Challenges of Unlearning and Adapting to Change

20:13 Bridging Learning Gaps and Behavioral Science

26:39 The Expert's Perspective and Effective Learning Design

29:14 The Closet Analogy: Organizing Knowledge

32:10 Conclusion and Where to Find More

 

Find Julie: https://usablelearning.com/the-books/

The Brain, Learning, and the Future of Work with Dr. Helena Boschi

In this episode of 'Inside Learning,' brought to you by the Learnovate Centre, Dr. Helena Boschi, author of 'Why We Do What We Do,' delves into the mysteries of the human brain and its pivotal role in learning and behavior. Host Aidan McCullen explores with Dr. Boschi the brain's function as a 'prediction machine,' its adaptation in the digital age, and the impacts of technology on cognitive abilities and attention spans. Key insights include practical neuroscience-backed techniques for enhancing learning and memory, the importance of physical exercise, and maintaining social connections for brain health. Dr. Boschi also emphasizes the power of neuroplasticity and the need for continuous learning in today's fast-changing world. Tune in to glean valuable tips for maximizing your brain's potential and fostering a thriving, adaptive workforce.

 

00:00 Introduction to Inside Learning Podcast

00:15 Understanding the Brain: The Prediction Machine

03:18 Impact of Technology on the Brain

06:08 Neuroscience-Backed Learning Techniques

13:43 Challenges of Remote Work and Digital Workspaces

18:13 Neuroplasticity: Adapting to Change

21:33 Conclusion and Contact Information

 

Find Helena: https://www.chequeredleopard.com

Contingent Leadership with Victoria Pelletier

In this episode, we discuss the concept of contingent leadership with Victoria Pelletier, author of 'Influence Unleashed' and 'Unstoppable.' We delve into Apple's history with Steve Jobs to illustrate the evolving nature of leadership and the necessity for businesses to adopt flexible, future-oriented workforce strategies. Victoria shares insights on the importance of combining talent acquisition methods, the gig economy, and the need for a mindset shift in both leadership and HR practices. Additionally, she emphasizes the role of personal branding and innovation in today's dynamic work environment. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your workforce and adapt to rapid industry changes.

 

00:00 The Rise, Fall, and Return of Steve Jobs

00:39 Introducing Victoria Peltier and Contingent Leadership

01:11 Exploring Contingent Leadership

02:44 The Gig Economy and Workforce Evolution

05:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Fractional Work

07:42 The Role of HR in a Changing Workforce

09:25 Education and Career Mindset Shifts

17:54 Building a Personal Brand

20:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts