In this special bonus episode of Future U, Michael Horn moderates a panel discussion on the future of work and learning in the age of AI. Recorded at a Western Governors University event in Boston, the conversation features insights from industry leaders across technology, consulting, and higher education.

Panelists Paul Bingham (WGU), Will Bass (formerly of Comcast), Kara Kara Wieckowski (Accenture), and Wayne Duso (former VP at AWS) explore the transformative impact of AI on workforce development, talent acquisition, and educational models. They discuss whether we should view AI as revolutionary like the smartphone or complementary like the microwave, share strategies for upskilling at both individual and organizational levels, and examine innovative approaches to virtual internships and experiential learning.

Whether you're an educator, administrator, business leader, or student contemplating your career path, this episode provides valuable insights on navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of work, technology, and education.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction

2:34 - AI Perspectives: Optimism vs. Concerns

6:28 - The Microwave vs. Smartphone Analogy

9:09 - AI as an Accelerant of Change

12:29 - Job Anxiety and Workforce Evolution

21:22 - Rethinking Talent Acquisition and Development

23:25 - Creating a Holistic Talent Approach

24:41 - Accenture's AI Talent Strategy

27:29 - The Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Approach

33:58 - Learning at the Speed of Human Capacity

37:23 - Skill Forward: Balancing Organization and Individual Growth

40:45 - Learning Models for Different Types of Adopters

43:39 - On-the-Job Training and Strategic Learning

47:55 - The Challenge of Finding Time to Learn

53:04 - Virtual Experiences and the Future of Internships

Further Reading

"AI Skills Fundamentals Certificate" - Western Governors University

WGU's certificate program designed to help professionals develop foundational AI knowledge and skills applicable across various industries, supporting both personal growth and organizational innovation.

"AI Won't Replace Humans—But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI" - Harvard Business Review

An insightful article by Harvard professor Karim Lakhani explaining how AI will lower the cost of cognition and why business leaders must experiment with AI applications for all employees, not just tech workers.

"The Upskilling Imperative: Required at Scale for the Future of Work" - McKinsey

Research highlighting how companies can take a larger role in upskilling employees by eliminating barriers of time and cost, with specific strategies for developing critical workforce capabilities.

"ChatGPT is Going to Change Education, Not Destroy It" - MIT Technology Review

An examination of how AI tools like ChatGPT are being reevaluated by educators as potential classroom aids rather than threats, with practical examples of implementation across educational settings.

"The Future of Skills: Employment in 2030" - Pearson

A comprehensive research report that identifies which occupations and skills are likely to be in demand by 2030, considering seven megatrends including technological change, globalization, and demographic shifts.