Recap: Buy This, Not That! Craig Weiss’ 101 on Buying Learning Technology

Alex Gruhin

How do you reduce your learning curve? Surround yourself with strong expertise that can help streamline and maximize your output. This proficiency can, of course, manifest in the form of a Generative AI assistant but also in human form, as strong ties and connections with fellow team members across functions and departments, for example, can save you and your company significant time and effort. 

Learning Analyst Craig Weiss offered a deep dive into these ideas, the proliferation of Generative AI tools, and how the human touch still plays a critical role in learning as part of his LX Signature webinar: Buy This, Not That! Craig Weiss’ 101 on Buying Learning Technology. 

Generative AI and learning technology 

The webinar’s salient takeaway was that after testing GPT-4, Bard, and other AI-based tools and technologies, Craig believes that Generative AI is at once a massive work in progress AND also that most learning systems will inevitably incorporate Generative AI components at scale over the next five years. In a twist, one of his slides was actually created by GPT-4, and he was able to demonstrate, that way, the possibilities and also the shortcomings of AI in learning.

To quote that telling slide: “While generative AI presents significant opportunities for enhancing L&D, it is important to note that these technologies should be seen as complementary tools rather than replacements for human-led training and development efforts. The most effective L&D strategies will likely involve a combination of AI-driven and traditional approaches.”

Cohort-based learning and other trends 

Craig also offered recommendations around other types of learning technologies in the webinar, including authoring tools and cohort-based learning platforms. When it comes to cohort learning platforms specifically, Craig was asked about his recent blog post on “confusion” relative to cohort-based solutions in the learning marketplace.

Craig’s take is that many vendors out there appropriate pieces of cohort-based solutions – because it’s en vogue – integrate them into their existing, non-cohort-based platforms, and pitch the total system as a cohort-based learning system when it is not. These circumstances are creating real confusion in the marketplace around cohort-based learning, so prospective learning buyers must be deliberate and intentional in assessing viable solutions for their learning tech stack.Watch the webinar here.

Founded at Stanford’s Social Algorithms Lab in 2012, NovoEd is one of the only true cohort-based solutions available for learning and development in the marketplace. Through genuine cohort-based experiences centered around real human interaction. NovoEd taps into collective wisdom, placing each learner at the intersection of perspective, application, and expertise. Large enterprises such as 3M, GE, and Nestlé partner with NovoEd to accelerate their critical initiatives, reconnect teams, and achieve rapid alignment through learning that is deeply felt and experienced and swiftly transformed into impact.