Inside Learning | Unlocking human potential

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/

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

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/

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/

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

 

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.