Last Friday, we took a last minute trip to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to see our friend and actor, Derek Klena, perform with the Savannah Bananas in a non-stop experience for 50,000 fans. Derek has been on Broadway in shows including Wicked, Anastasia, Dogfight and more. And, he had played baseball in college.

On Friday, he came on to the field twice, to sing Phantom of the Opera and also strike out a batter. Then, he returned with the cast of Aladdin to perform a medley of Broadway tunes with the Genie. Watch this short clip:

I was blown away by the strategic production of the game, blending real baseball with music, dance and lovable chaos. Yankee Stadium was filled with kid and families who were enjoying the blend of sports, engagement and the arts. The production was non-stop, from a welcome field loaded with music, baseball, merchandise and a stage with the players performing sing along music. It took the Harlem Globetrotters model to a new level and it was Wow!

We met colleagues from Broadway who came out to see Derek’s first Yankee Stadium experience. Many brought their children who were fascinated and moved by the whole experience.

It changed my view, as a producer of learning and theatrical events, to bring the pizzaz to the audience/learners from minute one and to break barriers in designing gatherings.

Thanks to the Savannah Bananas and Derek Klena for rocking my instincts as a producer.

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin, Ireland & New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

On November 4th, Elliott Masie had robotic surgery to remove his Prostate at Mount Sinai Hospital by the head of Urology, Dr. Tewari and his team.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of the summer and was fortunate to have the amazing skills of the teams at Mount Sinai. For the past 6 weeks, I have been recovering and am excited about more decades of my life ahead.

I look forward to blending time working and collaborating from our homes in Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY in 2026.

Thanks for your thoughts, stories and prayers,

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com

Marshall Goldsmith, an amazing business author and good friend, posted this quote from me on LinkedIn recently to his over 1 million followers. It triggered a wonderful range of comments. I would love your reactions:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Here is an update of the exciting global projects and adventures that I am doing to pursue my passion for Learning, Storytelling, Technology and Theater.

Right Now? The answer to “Where?” is onboard the Queen Mary 2 on a voyage between NY and Southampton, England. For 7 days, we are been at a range of TED Talks, performances of the National Symphony Orchestra from London and connecting with a range of passengers from around the world. For people that know me, you would be surprised to see me in my tux on the 2 Gala Nights where everyone gets spiffy:

Dublin, Ireland & New York State! About half the year, we are located in Dublin, Ireland doing a Learning Fellowship with Trinity College’s Learnovate organization, focused on the changing field of learning and exploring innovations in theatre, business and entrepreneurship. And, half the year, spending time in New York City and Saratoga Springs, helping to produce new theatre productions, including “Dolly” a new musical written by Dolly Parton and starring Katie Rose Clarke (coming to Broadway in the future):

Learning - Curiosity and ReSkilling: You will see new “Notes” from me in the time ahead focusing on these 2 aspects of Workplace Learning. Here are the questions that I an asking myself and a wide range of learning colleagues from around the world:

• Curiosity: What is the role of curiosity in shaping how an employee learns? How do we encourage, honor, adapt to and engage a learner’s curiosity?

• ReSkilling: Between the impacts of AI, changing marketplaces and evolving career expectations, how can organizations or societies approach large scale ReSkilling of large numbers of employees. What are new models for honoring the need for ReSkilling in these changing times?

I am excited to be heading to Sweden for a keynote speech in a week about these topics, working with my colleagues at Trinity College about the future of ReSkilling and dialoging with Chief Learning Officers around this critically important topic.

Theatre and Aging: In addition to the new musicals that MASIE Productions is helping to produce, we are supporting an amazing play, “Just Another Day” written by Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years). We are presenting this play about 2 performers that are in a senior facility and every day wonder “Do I Know You” when they meet on a bench. It is warm, touching and raising money for the TILDA project that is conducting research on aging. We will be presenting it in 2026 in Dublin, Belfast and London to raise money for this research.

Retired? No, Refired! At the young age of 75, it is a common question that I am asked. Not retired. Instead, I am Refired! Every day is an opportunity to learn, to mentor, to experiment, to invest and to explore. We have invested in new startups in Ireland, supported educators in the Philippines and continued to make good disruption in the worlds of theatre and learning.

Leading and Living in Disruptive Times: These are disruptive times. I hope that our collective work in evolving learning models and creating new storytelling and theatre formats can be a way of adding creativity to these times.

NOTES Ahead: I will be publishing occasional Notes, in text, audio or video format. And, I would love to be in touch with existing and new colleagues. Feel free to send me an email to emasie@masie.com or use this button below.

Yours in Learning: I wrap with my favorite phrase that I have used for over 55 years in my notes, letters and speeches:

Yours in Learning,

Elliott
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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I am honored to host our next EMPATHY! Concert that will be held online on Thursday, June 19th from 1 to 2 pm Eastern Time. Please join us and invite your colleagues for a much needed, high energy concert and conversation about the key need for EMPATHY! in these changing times. Reserve a space: http://www.tinyurl.com/empathyjune19

Over the past 4 years, over 100,000 colleagues have viewed our EMPATHY! Concerts. We combine the powerful music and presence of Broadway stars with business colleagues from around the world. Here is the “cast’ for the next EMPATHY! Concert:

* Kate Baldwin, Broadway Star (Hello Dolly) and Co-Host.
* Melinda Doolittle (American Idol and White House Concerts)
* Telly Leung (Alladin, Allegiance & Glee) Co-Founder of EMPATHY! Concert * Connie Angela McGowan, (Dublin Actress - Into the Woods)
* Elliott Masie, Co-Founder and Chair of MASIE Learning Foundation

We will address the need for EMPATHY! as significant changes come from both political and corporate sources. And, we will refocus the need to honor the impact of these changes on our colleagues and organizations. Space is limited, so please reserve a free space ASAP at http://www.tinyurl.com/empathyjune19

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com

• Story of My Car Ended!

• April 1 Items from Elliott’s Notes and Trends from 2004!

How the Story of My Car Ended Yesterday: I wish I could come up with some fun and almost believable items for April 1, 2025. But the intensity of change in our worlds, from politics to technology to behavior shifts makes that almost impossible.

I will share a true story of how a Car’s Story Changed … Resulting in a Sale!

As many of your know, we have owned Teslas for over 12 years. When I bought the first Model S, it was new and exciting. I was invited to go to the Tesla factory in California and actually see my can being manufactured. The spirit with the staff was amazing - excited about creating the next generation of cars and energy - and collaboration and trust was high.

We had the thrill of taking the Tesla on a 7,000 mile trip across the United States a few years ago, sharing pictures and experiences during a 32 day adventure. I met and dialogued with a wide range of people, from all political sides, who were intrigued and/or opinionated about the Tesla.

The story of my Tesla fit my life goal of exploring new technologies and sharing the experiences openly.

However, in the past year, the Story of Tesla shifted from technology innovation to the behaviors and attitudes of Elon Musk. His lack of empathy for making HR changes at Tesla and later in the Federal Government was shocking. And, the idea that a person’s influence on politics is directly linked to their wealth is not what my sense of democracy is about. Watching him give $1,000,000 checks to people who vote his way kills the story of Tesla that I treasured.

So, yesterday, our Tesla was sold to CarMax in Albany. I assume someone who wants a Tesla or values the Musk approach will buy it and it will have a new story. But, in life, YOUR STORIES about people, tasks, jobs, adventures, investments must align with your values. So, at mile 53,006, My Story about Teslas ended. May the car have a caring owner. And, may we recognize that governance by wealth is Not Our Stories.

Previous April 1st Notes from 2004:

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2004

1. e-Learning Tax Considered by Congress
2. Pretzels Seen to Increase Learning Rate

1. e-Learning Tax Considered by Congress: The MASIE Center has learned that several members of the U.S. Congress are considering a proposal to add an e-Learning Tax. As the use of on-line learning grows, this is seen as a ripe area for "revenue enhancement". The tax would be based on the level of interactivity and learning involvement. Some members of Congress have been taking a wide range of e-Learning courses themselves to better understand the revenue potential. A sticky issue might be the impact of a non-completion of a course on obligated taxes. LMS vendors are starting to prepare special modules aimed at tracking and paying this "learning
tax".

2. Pretzels Seen to Increase Learning Rate: Researchers at Bachman
University have discovered that eating pretzels has a direct impact on the rate and effectiveness of learning. This seems to apply to both on-line and classroom based learning. One study does reveal that stick pretzels are slightly more effective than round ones pretzels (updated research from 2019)~

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2008

1. Giggle Launched by Google: Humor in Searching.
2. e-Learning for Super Delegates: Coping with Pressure.
3. Level 9 Evaluation: Kirkpatrick and and MRI.
4. Speed Presenting: More Words Per Minute.
5. Surrogate Students: Outsourcing Class Attendance.

1. Giggle Launched by Google (Humor in Searching): We have been briefed on a new service that will soon be launched by Google, called Giggle. Sometimes you want to do a search and don’t want serious results. In fact, you are looking for the funny or ridiculous. Giggle will use a new search algorithm to determine truly funny answers to search responses. Users of Giggle will also be able to turn on the speakers on their computers to hear a range of laughter based on the Giggle rating of each response. Launch date has not be announced.

2. e-Learning for Super Delegates “Coping with Pressure”: The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is building a special e-Learning program for Super Delegates in the Democratic Presidential Campaign. Modules will focus on key issues such as “What to do when Bill Clinton calls you at 3 a.m. to get your vote?” and “Selling Your Vote on e-Bay - Is it Legal, Is it Wrong, How Much Could I Get?” Faculty will include Stress Specialists and Professors of Negotiation. Stephen M.R. Covey will teach a special module based on “Speed of Trust - Making Up Your Mind in Just 4 Months”.

3. Level 9 Evaluation (Kirkpatrick and and MRI): Evaluation of training results are taking a leap forward with the announcement of Level 9 Assessment from Kirkpatrick. While this requires the learner taking an extensive MRI, to see actual changes in brain structure, it should be extremely helpful in moving the ROI conversation forward. There are concerns about using this form of assessment too often with a single learner, in fields such as financial services. But, no pain, no gain!

4. Speed Presenting (More Words Per Minute): Train the Trainer methods are being changed to include a new approach called Speed Presenting. This technique involves removing all of the pauses and spaces from the lecture portion of a trainer’s presentation (either in the classroom or on-line). Research indicates that teachers can double or even triple their speed of presenting. Bob Pike, world famous Train the Trainer expert, believes that the total cost of training can be reduced by 25% to 33% using Speed Presenting. Of course, upcoming advances in Speed Bathroom Breaks and Speed Lunches will help move this movement of Accelerated Learning along.

5. Surrogate Students (Outsourcing Class Attendance): I was shocked to hear about the emergence of a new trend of outsourcing class participation. In very busy organizations, learners can hire an unemployed or off-shore surrogate to attend a course and later get the “abbreviated” version. Retired employees are now offering their services as surrogate learners as a way of increasing their revenues and also staying involved in their fields. Surrogate Learning is also involving the relatives of work-at-home learners. Hmmm.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2013.

1. Bring Your Parents to Work Day!
2. Big Data Expands: Maps of What Learners Aren’t Doing.
3. Right Handed Designer Bias in Usability.

1. Bring Your Parents to Work Day! After the success of “Bring Your Daughters to Work Day”, there is now a growing interest in “Bring Your Parents to Work Day”, pushed by both helicopter style parents and underutilized retired parents of workers.

“Bring Your Parents to Work Day” would allow highly involved and concerned parents to meet the colleagues and bosses of their kids. Just as they did in K to 12 school settings, parents are often able to advocate for higher performance ratings once they meet their children’s evaluators. Some parents might even help their children redecorate their work spaces or cubicles.

It will also be valuable for the older retired parents of some employees. These parents can come in and be deployed as meaningful one-day assistants, leveraging their skills and experiences of decades of work. In some instances, the retired parents can even be deployed while their children are on vacation, filling in for them on key assignments and committees.

Clearly, many organizations will find the “Bring Your Parents to Work Day” program challenging! But, in an attempt to bridge generational differences and reach for new levels of Work/Life balance, it is being embraced by some companies with a passion. Several underfunded Venture Startups have gone so far as experimenting with “Bring Your Parents to Work Week or Work Month”, in order to save compensation levels. While State Labor Departments are concerned about the legality of these practices, few want to take on the ire of the newly engaged parents on this issue.

2. Big Data Expands: Maps of What Learners Aren’t Doing: Increased interest in “Big Data” has pushed several LMS companies to expand reporting capabilities to display patterns of Learner Non-Activity. While traditional reports indicate which learners have met competency levels or participated in certain learning programs, the LMS was never pointed at massive and complex patterns of non-participation. Now, managers can see 3D displays indicating:

* What Books or Articles Are Not Read by Workers?
* For Each Learner, What Activities Do They Never Do?
* Which Video Titles Draw the Fewest Workers?
* Which Presenter Send the Most Webinar Participants to Early Departure?
* Whose Emails Are Most Often Not Read?

Many learning analysts believe that tracking what learners Don’t Do is even more important than tracking their active participation. One LMS company is experimenting with a gamification offering that would provide “points” to learners who most effectively skip the most content, while still meeting legal certification. These points can be traded in for a vacation day or lunchroom vouchers. Big Data can focus on what learners aren’t doing as great predictors of workforce participation patterns. We might even issue a “Didn’t Do Transcript” for each learner in the future.

3. Right Handed Designer Bias in Usability: University of Brazio recently published a study focusing on the difference in eLearning designs created by left vs. right handed designers. It seems that visual placement of content and buttons shifts dramatically based on the hand bias of the designer. They looked at “directionality distinctions” in screen design and the impact on learning effectiveness. Not surprisingly, they found that eLearning modules developed by left handed designers worked best with left handed learners. Eye movement, mouse movement and logical flow of content was optimized better for left handed learners when design was done by designers of the same hand dominance. But, the least effective designs for both left and right handed learners resulted in design teams that had 1 left handed and 1 right handed designer. “Collaboration in design often results in a mushy and fuzzy approach that underwhelms both types of users.” said Dr. Framer, head of their Hand Design Bias Lab. The next study will look at allowing the learner to indicate their left or right hand preference - yielding a distinctly different design. Even Google is considering moving their ads to the left side for users that more often place their mouse nearer to the Q, A or Z keys on their keyboards.

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We must find a way to use humor as one of our tools for the rate of change, stress and shifts in our society. I hope these former notes from Elliott Masie’s TRENDS are helpful. If you want to see more, go to http://trends.masie.com/display/Search?moduleId=1865197&searchQuery=%22April+1%22 and hit the Search Button after entering “April 1” or “April 2” and you will find some other fun items.

Remember, that Learning is one of the core parts of facing the future.

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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TO: Learning, Talent, HR and Business Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, MASIE Learning Foundation
DATE: March 23, 2025

I would like to invite you to an interactive Workshop/ThinkTank “AI Changes Jobs! What’s Learning and Development’s Role?” This will be an interactve 2 hour intensive session that I will host on April 2nd at 1 pm Eastern Time via Zoom. There is no fee! Just bring your thinking and perspectives to this session. Space is very limited and reserve a space at https://www.tinyurl.com/masie402

We will be joined by Chief Learning Officers and Business Leaders sharing ideas and challenges about how we cope with rapid job changes, shifts and evolutions in our workplaces.

Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/masie402

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/ai360view

TO: Learning, Talent, HR and Business Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, MASIE Learning Foundation
DATE: February 22, 2025

I would like to invite you to an interactive briefing and dialogue to give “Artificial Intelligence & Learning” a fresh, 360° view and perspective.

We will be interviewing several global learning colleagues on how to jump over the “Hype” and frenzy about AI to building a readiness to blend rapidly evolving AI and great design into learning for your workforce.

The Zoom session will take place on Monday, March 11th hosted from US (1 pm EST) and Ireland (6 pm UTC -0) for 60 minutes.

Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/ai360view

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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TO: Learning & Development Colleagues

Here is a summary of the “L&D and DEI Shifts” video discussion with 275 Learning Leaders on January 30, 2025, facilitated by Elliott Masie

Click for the Summary: http://www.masie.com/dei

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com

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Join your Learning and Development colleagues for a non-political and non-partisan dialogue on “L&D and DEI Shifts.” This will be a free, 50 minute open Zoom Session, facilitated by Elliott Masie, on Thursday, Jan 30th from 12 Noon Eastern Time.

My inbox has been filled with notes from L&D colleagues wondering how to handle and react to the impact of the DEI Shifts in organizations.

Reserve a space at: http://www.tinyurl.com/deishifts

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
http://www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Imagine if the moderators of the Harris vs Trump debate would ask us, as learning, talent, leadership and training professionals for a possible question!

Let me jump in and add a suggest of my own non-partisan questions, that would be fascinating to hear answers/reactions from both candidates:

• You as a Learner! Describe yourself as a learner. What is your approach to learning new and updated topics?

• Preparing for Next Generation of Skills! How can we prepare our children for the changing career, job and skills marketplace?

• Artificial Intelligence! In your own words, how would you describe AI? How might AI change the very nature of jobs and skills? Should AI be regulated?

• Tax Benefits for Workplace Learning! Could there be tax benefits for employers investing in workplace learning or employees updating their skills for a new job?

I would love to hear a few questions from our Notes Readers. Just press the comment button here:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Innovations
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Note: Graphic was created using ChatGPT 4o

I would annoy some of my friends, as I sang "School Days” and prepared myself for the start of 3rd grade at PS 173 in Manhattan. My parents would buy me a few school supplies, including a compass and ruler. And, as a predictor of my role as event producer later in life, I was excited to put colorful “reinforcements” on the holes of each page of a loose leaf notebook:

“Back to School” for teachers and administrators was focused on planning their teaching strategies for the upcoming year. Would the curriculum change? How would they introduce new technologies into the classroom? Are the learners needing different approaches to mastering the materials.

So, how are we, as Learning, Talent and HR professionals getting ready for “Back to School” as Labor Day approaches? How are we evolving our learning content, skills focus, delivery and engagement strategies for the coming “school year”? Is AI going to be a large, medium or zero part of our learning plans? And, how will we keep ourselves motivated and innovative in these changing times?

I am excited about leveraging the “Back to School” energy for learning transformation. And, wondering what to do with all of the loose leaf reinforcements in my desk drawer. Please add your comments below:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie, Chair
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: There are a few spaces remaining in my AI & Learning event in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 10 and 11. Info at http://ww.masie.com

In the video, Elliott Masie addresses:

• Beyond the Intro & Fascination Stage of AI

• Preparing for Changing Job Roles that Use AI

• Roles for Smart Tutors & AI Blended Learning

• Integrating AI into Learning and Talent Systems

• Big Learning Data and Predictive Data

• Governance, Standards and Strategies for AI

And, we would like to invite you to our AI & Learning Event in Saratoga Springs, NY on Sept 10 and 11th. Information at http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, MASIE Learning Foundation
CEO, MASIE Productions
http://www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

The most intriguing innovation that I hoped would come from AI engines are Smart Tutors! Take the power of eLearning and add the ENGAGEMENT, VERBAL TUTORING, VISUAL CAPABILITIES and EMPATHY for a leanring experience that can move the learner. A master of our learning field, Sal Khan, demonstrates a Smart Tutor with his son - using the new features of GPT-4o. Spend 3 minutes and watch this video.

The work of the MASIE Learning Foundation in the next year will be to explore and facilitate experiments and collaboration on how Smart Tutors can be used for Workplace Learning!

Smart Tutors can add personalization, context, crisper assessment and even an Empathy dimension in the voice and video interaction with an employee learning a new skill or competency.

Stay tuned for other Smart Tutor capabilities to be announced by each of the major AI Engines including Gemini, Antrophic, Co-Pilot and more from OpenAI. We will need to explore and experiment in how Smart Tutors can be deployed either independently by a learner or in a hybrid model with a human tutor or trainer.

Would love to hear your comments and thoughts.

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PLUS: Watch our latest Empathy! Concert that was broadcast from Nashville on May 16th - hosted by Melinda Doolittle and Elliott Masie. Amazing songs and conversations. Go to http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Start with the Title!

• The title for a Keynote starts the design process. Attendees may know the speaker’s name or reputation. But, many will read the one line title and it starts to frame their CURIOSITY coming to the speech. Here is the graphic that SHRM shared about my opening keynote: “Crossroads for Talent, Smart Tech and Learning”

  

  The words were intentional:
  - CROSSROADS - As the opening Keynote, my goal is to increase their curiosity about both my message - but also the broad conversations for the event with thousands of HR, Talent and Learning managers. I use “Crossroads” to explore different perspectives about core issues - rather than present my view of what is coming to the Talent field in the coming months and years.
  - SMART TECH - While we will be exploring AI, I didn’t want to limit the speech to just what AI is in April 2024. So, SMART TECH allows our conversation to include AI, Robotics, AR/VR, Chatbots and technology that is just around the corner. Plus, AI as the sole item makes the session sound like hundreds of sessions offered at events.
  - TALENT & LEARNING - Many of the thousands of the attendees’s job title includes Talent, HR and Learning. SHRM is playing an influential role in all of these fields - so my use of these words is inclusive of the wider spectrum of roles. If I just used Learning, many Talent colleagues might feel that wasn’t aimed at their role.

Design Exploration and Dialogues!

• Conversations: When invited to do a keynote, it is important to have a deep conversation about why you were invited and what the hosts want as an outcome. I had several conversations with my colleagues at SHRM about the direction of the event and started to build a framework for my session.

• Full Conference Program: Reading the expanding program https://conferences.shrm.org/talent-conference-expo/full-schedule that was designed and published allowed me to hone the focus of my remarks. My design process is to differentiate the keynote from other sessions - while being a bridge to the full conference experience.

• Talking with Participants: Many colleagues on LinkedIn reached out to me when the announcement about my upcoming keynote was made. We chatted about their expectations for the event and how “technical” their expectations were for the content.

STORYTELLING!

• A Keynoter is a Storyteller! My role is to be a trustable Storyteller to the thousands in the audience. I should create and share a story that has examples, questions, perspectives and even interaction to engage the audience’s minds and curiosities.

• The Keynote Needs a Story Arc! Please don’t start with a joke from a “speaker’s joke handbook”. Instead, build an ARC that takes the participants on a journey through the content and context of the keynote.

• Even a Bit of Music! Since I am also a Broadway theater producer, I bring some music to my Keynotes. The SHRM audience will hear the walk-on music as I come on stage (Simply the Best) and I will use 20 seconds of a song from “Wicked” - to encourage the participants to balance the excitement and the unknowns of AI - as they hear “Defying Gravity”.

• Reach all Parts of the Room and Virtual! Since I don’t use a podium, I walk across the stage and talk to the full room, not just the front rows. Watch the heads of the audience as an indicator that your colleagues sitting in the back and side are also engaged. SHRM has some wonderful “image magnification” to help audience members sitting anywhere or participating on-line feel close.

• Engagement and Interaction! Twice during my keynote, I will ask the audience members to have a short (90 second) conversation with a colleague near them. I will ask the folks in Las Vegas to stand and dialogue about a HR, Talent or Learning task they would love to see “Optimized” by Smart Tech, And, the audience online will have that dialogue in their chat. These short engagements and interaction are so powerful - not meant to be an “ice breaker” but a “context builder”.

• The Root of HaHa is AhA! Rather than use jokes, I bring some relevant humor into a Keynote. I will expand on the risk of “AI Washing” by pointing to a press release from a company announcing a new product, an AI Pillow. Things that are true and very often amusing and humor brings a humanity to the conversation.

• Empathy! My design must include Empathy that acknowledges the wide range of aspirations or fears about new technologies. Will they eliminate our jobs? Will new skills be required? Will the workplace be different as technology evolves roles and processes. Empathy is not Sympathy! It is honoring the complexity of the times ahead and how we are often rattled by the process.

Small Details Matter!

• Delightful Host! SHRM runs large and impactful events. They provide support and readiness to me, as a keynote. Sound checks, design of my few graphic slides and minute by minute agenda for what happens for 36 hours before the session.

• What to Wear? I love to wear bright colorful jackets for my keynotes. I will have a favorite Orange Jacket. The SHRM team has picked background color graphics for the displays in my session that augment the orange.

• Makeup & Hair! When your face is magnified by high definition video, it is great to get a last minute prep. There is a make-up artist backstage to make my face and hair ready for the event.

• Monitors for Speakers! There are several large monitors that the speaker can see with any graphic slides and some prompting notes. And, my obsession is to end within 10 seconds of the final countdown clock.

• Mingle and Linger Afterwards! It is so important to be available for participants to interact with the speaker after the Keynote. It is a great time to hear their stories, reactions and questions.

With all of this preparation, there is 1 more important element:

FULLY ENERGIZED!

When walking on the stage of a session that I will lead for a group with either 30 or 5,000 people, my last and most important step is to be FULLY ENERGIZED. I will build my energy to be physically ready for 50 minutes of session leadership. I wear comfortable shoes and get ready for the introduction and walk-on music. I take a deep breath and appreciate the honor of being on the stage in front of amazing new colleagues. You feel the energy of the speaker in a first 3 minutes!

I am heading to Las Vegas in a few days to be both a speaker and a learner at the SHRM Talent Conference. If you are coming, please send me an email to emasie@masie.com and there are still a few virtual spaces available for registration (http://www.shrm.org)

Thanks to SHRM for the invitation and I will share my experience at the event in the my next NOTES.

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com

PS: There are just 5 spaces open in our AI & Learning LAB on April 24 and 25 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Info at: http://www.masie.com

Good Morning from New York City!

Career Confusion Conversations

Each month, my awareness of “Career Confusion” in the workforce rises. At the recent i4cp Conference, Chief Talent and Learning Officers, pointed out the impact of uncertainty amongst new and veteran employees about changes that could/would/might impact their careers. Career Confusion is often attributed to:

• AI and Smart Tech Potential Impacts on Current and Future Jobs

• Shifts in the Marketplace in the Post Pandemic Timeframe

• Less Confidence in the Career Ladders in current organization

• Desires for Mobility vs. Promotion

• Wonder About Next Generation of Job Opportunities

Career Confusion is also evident in conversations with K-12 and Higher Education leaders. What are our educators doing to support student’s visions for careers in a rapidly changing world. It would be a great time to shape a dialogue in your organization and community about Career Confusion.

George Takei: New Book for Children

My good friend and theater colleague, George Takei has just written an exciting new illustrated book for children, “My Lost Freedom”

It is a moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II—from the iconic Star Trek actor, activist and keynoter at several of my learning events.

On February 19, 1942, George Takei was four years old when his world changes forever. Two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States.

George and his family were American in every way. They had done nothing wrong. But because of their Japanese ancestry, they were removed from their home in California and forced into camps with thousands of other families who looked like theirs.

It is a wonderful and caring book! Listen to a sample read by George or order it at: https://rb.gy/ls2qv0

Eclipse at Work?

So, how is your organization handling the total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th?

If your office is in the pathway of the Eclipse, are there any activities for staff to safely watch it from outside your office - with appropriate glasses? Would love to hear about any plans! Add a note below:

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In the midst of writing this NOTES Blog, my 33rd floor apartment in NYC started to shake. A magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook buildings across the New York City region shortly after 10:20 a.m. Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. I rushed away from the windows and into the hallway near the elevators. A minute later, all was calm, and back to writing. Wow!

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: We now have only 6 spaces still open in our AI & Learning LAB to be held in Saratoga Springs, NY on April 24 and 25th. Info at https://www.masie.com

1. Fact Checking Engineer:

   

   With the growing use of AI, several organizations are concerned about the accuracy of the output of content. How do they validate if the AI is true or has “hallucinations”. Several companies have added “Fact Checking Engineers” to their staff. This person checks AI output against sources, including print content, checking to see if the result is accurate.
   The backgrounds of AI Fact Checking Engineers often include degrees in Philosophy or Journalism as well as competencies in complex hobbies such as Chess. One company actually recruited a Fact Checking Engineer from the State Police where they were a Forensic Investigator. OpenAI has tried to dispute the need for human Fact Checkers and is offering an upsell to their commercial ChatGPT with an AI fact checker for AI output.

2. Storytelling TikTok Shifts: Several years ago, TED shortened their talk durations from 60 to 30 to 18 minutes - and sometimes shorter 6 minute ones in TEDx gatherings. But, TikTok has created a pressure to shorten Storytelling even more - especially for the youngest generation of employees.
   MASIE Learning Foundation has been tracking the rise of 3 minute Storytelling and learning presentations at startups and even some manufacturing locations with large number of younger staff.

   

   The newest generation does not want Stories to go on and on. They don’t want a multi-slide PowerPoint. Many are using a new app called “SandTimer for Wow Stories” that will structure and contain all content stories to 3 minutes or less
   Research shows that many learners only store about 180 seconds of content in their brain for long-term recall. This shift is radically shrinking the length of staff meetings, training sessions and even emerging as a new format for TikTok Format Performance Reviews.

3. Learning Pillows at Work & Home: I have always been a big fan of innovation in pillows. In the latest 2 years, we have started to see “Learning Pillows” pop into the marketplace. They include data capture technology that tracks your attention levels and even map out your dream intensity at night. But, Learning Pillows can also be used at the workplace, positioned behind the employee on a chair, capturing the content and employee attention levels to new material. Some employees find that the use of a “Learning Pillow” can radically improve their skill development and performance - as the fluffy device helps with Cognitive Rehearsal and Recall for newly acquired content.

   

   There are concerns that employers might capture and rate the focus levels of employees that would become a factor in promotions or layoffs. Pillow Data Privacy rules are likely to emerge as Learning Pillows become more popular

   A Delightful Warning: For the past thirty years, I have enjoyed creating a fun and spoofy post in my newsletters and blogs on April 1st. May you enjoy these April Fools Day posts - noting that there is an element of possible reality in each one.
   
   Yours in Learning,

   Elliott Masie
   MASIE Learning Foundation
   MASIE Productions
   www.masie.com
   emasie@masie.com

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PS: There are now just 8 spaces left in our AI & Learning LAB in Saratoga Springs, NY on April 24 and 25th. Details at https://www.masie.com

Source: All 3 pictures were designed by Dall-E 2024

Based on conversations with learning leaders, business analysts, AI innovators and a wide range of learners, I am sharing 12 AI & Learning “Opportunities” that might become reality in the next two years:

I will be doing keynotes at several Learning and HR events in the next four weeks, including SHRM Talent Conference, i4cp Annual Event and the ISA Meeting. At each, my topic will focus on the “Opportunities” that AI and great Learning Innovation could yield.

• Interactive Learning Tutor/Coach

• Personalization: Learning Agenda for 1

• Assessment Engine: Laddered & Diagnostic

• Workflow Support: Nudging by Demand

• Simulations via AI: “Failing Safely” to Success

• Predictive Data for Assigning Learning & Tasks

• Generative Content, Context & Stories

• Linking Learners for Collaboration

• Tracking Outcomes & Career Impacts

• AI for UX Design: Adapting to Differences

• Graphics, Infographics & Job Aides for 1

• Globalization of Learning: Language, Culture & Multi-Track

Each of these “Opportunities” are doable and can leverage existing AI tools and engines, along with great innovation and Human Intelligence. Let’s explore the first item.

Interactive Learning Tutor/Coach:

Imagine Pat, an employee in your organization, wants to learn about a new product, business process or skill. Pat picks up her mobile phone and launches the “Learning Tutor” app. She states verbally what she wants to learn and then selects the type of activity or interaction that would be most helpful:

• A short video on the topic

• An interactive infographic

• An assessment to map what she needs to acquire.

• A simulation of the process.

• A back and forth “conversation” with the automated tutor on the topic

• A link to a live colleague for a knowledge conversation.

• A workflow support set of “nudges” to remind her as she does the task.

• Registers her up for an in person or online class on the topic.

• Other learning resources mapped to Pat’s needs and requirements.

This AI & Learning Opportunity is almost doable today. Using the data, generative and personalization capacities of AI, along with some new and cool design innovations.

Will we see these in the next two years? That depends on the focus of our Learning and Talent leaders to drive AI experimentation in their organization to augment, personalize and extend the efficiency of our learning technologies. And, learning professionals will need to be experimenters with emerging AI & Learning capabilities. Finally, we need to make sure that AI is leveraged in appropriate and ethical ways in our industry and organization.

Note: We have 11 more spaces available in my upcoming AI & Learning LAB in Saratoga Springs in April. Info and reservations at http://www.masie.com

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

This Zoom window had one Elliott as a “tech Persona” using the new Apple Vision Pro headsets. This “e-Elliott” was pretty close to my features and showed my expressions and hand movements in real-time. Here is how I looked in my home office, wearing the Vision Pro:

Zoom has created an app that uses the Persona feature of the Apple Vision. I was asked by the goggles to have my hands scanned and to demonstrate various facial expressions and movements.

Here is a small part of our Zoom discussion group - and you can see the two versions of Elliott on screen - the real one on the left and the Personal version on the right.

I wanted to demonstrate this feature to alumni of our recent AI & Learning LAB. We imagined future uses of this Persona technology that might include:

• Use of the Persona feature when a video participant wasn’t comfortable being in live mode.

• Generative Video AI that could create a real-time video instructor/coach in a learning module - responding interactively to the learner.

• Simulation Videos that would allow an employee to practice interviewing or managing colleagues in an interactive asynchronous session.

• Many more…

This felt like the first version of the iPhone that i purchased on the day of release on June 29, 2007. The phone just did a few things, like make a call or listen to a song. This was before Wi-Fi and apps. Look at how the functions have evolved!

Let’s experiment with new Persona technologies that will be forthcoming from other tech companies that may include Meta, Microsoft and Amazon. As innovators we should be stretching our visions and models for new and quite different learning models and designs.

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: There are a few spaces still open in my next AI & Learning LAB, which will be hosted in Saratoga Springs, NY on April 24 and 25th., Info at: http://www.masie.com

50 learning colleagues from companies around the world will gather together in Saratoga Springs, NY on April 24 and 25th to address these critical questions:

AI & Learning? Let's Explore:

• Will AI Significantly Impact/Change Workplace Learning?

• ​AI's Potential Impact on Learning Design?

• AI's Potential Impact on Learning Delivery?

• AI's Potential Impact on Assessment?

• Changes in AI Technology Impacting Learning?

• The Risks and Unknowns of AI for Learning!

• Can AI Optimize Learning Personalization?

• How Much of AI Buzz is "Real" vs. "Hype" or "AI Washing"?

• What Do I Need to Make Decisions About AI & Learning in 2024?

• Can  AI Interact with AR/VR/Metaverse/Immersive Tech?

• What are AI & Learning Innovations in Organizations Now?

• AI Interaction with LMS and Learning Systems?

• Ethics, Standards, Trust & Governance of AI & Learning?

• Your Organizational ???'s on AI & Learning in Next 18 Months!

• How Learning Leaders Can Prepare to Make AI Learning Decisions!

Complete details and registration at http://ailabs.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Learning Collaborative
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: Watch for my review of the new Apple Vision Pro in the next edition of NOTES.