The latest Lighthouses, awarded in October 2024 and January 2025, follow the same core principles identified when the network began. Their leaders recognize that what transforms a business is not just a particular technology, or even a unique set of use cases, but the ability of people and processes to use technology to create value across the enterprise. Accordingly, our analysis finds that Lighthouses resist the temptation to buy into every new technology trend; instead, they invest roughly four times as much in process and people enablers as they do in new technology. For every $2 they spend on tech innovation, Lighthouses earmark $3 for process debt reduction and $5 for scale and adoption. By contrast, we find that most other manufacturers spend closer to one or two times their tech investment on these same enablers.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Why AI companies keep raising the specter of sentience - Chris Stokel-Walker, Wired
In their blog post explaining what went wrong, OpenAI described “ChatGPT’s default personality” and its “behavior”—terms typically reserved for humans, suggesting a degree of anthropomorphization. OpenAI isn’t alone in this: humans often describe AI as “understanding” or “knowing” things, largely because media coverage has consistently framed it that way—incorrectly. AI doesn’t possess knowledge or a brain, and some argue it never will (though that view is disputed). Still, talk of sentience, personality, and humanlike qualities in AI appears to be growing. Last month, OpenAI competitor Anthropic—founded by former OpenAI employees—published a blog post expressing concern about developing AI that benefits human welfare. “But as we build those AI systems, and as they begin to approximate or surpass many human qualities, another question arises,” the firm wrote. “Should we also be concerned about the potential consciousness and experiences of the models themselves? Should we be concerned about model welfare, too?”
The Future of Education with AI Agents: How Conversational Agents Will Replace Classrooms - Thomas Frey, Futurist Speaker
What we’re witnessing isn’t just a better form of education—it’s the emergence of a new learning paradigm altogether. AI agents are dissolving the rigid structures of grade levels, semesters, and standardized tests. In their place, we see flexible, lifelong learning partnerships that evolve with us, helping us adapt to new roles, industries, and technologies throughout our lives. The promise is staggering: a world where anyone, anywhere, can unlock their full potential without being limited by geography, socioeconomic status, or outdated institutions. Education becomes a continuous journey, not a stage of life. A conversation, not a lecture. And for the first time, it’s a system designed around the learner—not the institution. As AI continues to evolve, so too does our understanding of human capability. The future of education isn’t just digital—it’s dynamic, personalized, and relentlessly practical. And it’s already here.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Becoming AI Literate This Summer - Ray Schroeder, Inside Higher Ed
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of contemporary practice in higher education. This summer is an ideal time to become AI literate for the fall. So, how can you get on top of this AI trend this summer? Prompt engineering—asking questions in proper context, detail and format—is a good place to begin. You might consider enrolling in one of the many low-cost or free prompt engineering online classes. I suggest you begin a course—many are self-paced—or one of the informal YouTube videos, then begin using the tools at every possible opportunity. Iterative prompting is the name of the game. Try reframing the prompt, providing additional information and including examples of what you are seeking for the tool to better understand your expectations. By the time classes begin in the fall, you will be prepared to save much time and effort by using AI. You will also be able to integrate AI into your daily routine, become more productive and share your expertise with your colleagues and students.
94% of UK employers say micro-credentials strengthen a candidate’s application - Stuart Gentle, OnRec
The vast majority (94%) of UK employers believe micro-credentials strengthen a candidate's application, according to new research. These focused, often online certifications recognise specific skills or knowledge, and are designed to be completed quickly and stacked toward larger qualifications. Three quarters of UK employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries for micro-credential holders. 69% of UK employers say they’ve saved on training costs for entry-level hires with relevant micro-credentials. 79% of European students believe earning a micro-credential helps them succeed in their job
Survey: What Online College Students Need - Colleen Flaherty, Inside Higher Education
Half of surveyed CTOs indicate that student demand for online and/or hybrid course options has increased substantially year over year at their institution. Nearly the same share say their college has added a substantial number of new online or hybrid course options over the same period. Meanwhile, the most recent Changing Landscape of Online Education Project report found something similar: Nearly half of chief online learning officers surveyed said that enrollment in online degree programs at their institution is now higher than that of on-campus programs—and even more said their college had undergone a strategic shift in response to such demand.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
An Inside-Out Approach to Leadership - Drew Erdmann, et al; McKinsey
In McKinsey’s collective decades of experience counseling CEOs and senior government leaders, we have noticed that most of them wrestle less with what to do and more with who to be. In a survey of top executives, 57 percent reported that their primary leadership challenge was personal. They struggled to find the right balance—to be authentic and approachable, humble and confident, vulnerable and resilient. We also found that leaders who created enduring impact operated from a higher state of self-awareness. In Harvard Business School Professors Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky’s metaphor, the best leaders learn to alternate their perspective between the “balcony” of a strategic, holistic viewpoint and the “dance floor” of how people get the work done.3
Former Google CEO-Backed Startup Builds AI Agents for Science - Scarlett Evans, AI Business
FutureHouse, a nonprofit backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, has launched a new AI platform to help scientists navigate vast amounts of data and accelerate new discoveries. The platform uses what FutureHouse calls the first “superintelligent scientific agents,” outperforming human workers in tasks such as reviewing literature and distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources. Agents for hypothesis generation and experimental planning are also set for launch. Four of these specialized AI agents are being included in the platform’s launch, each designed to target a different element of scientific discovery.
Want a job at Duolingo? Better know how to use AI - Tech Crunch
Duolingo has announced it’s becoming an AI-first company. In a message shared with staff and later posted online, CEO Luis von Ahn said the shift will change how the business runs, from hiring to content creation. While it’s not about cutting jobs, von Ahn made it clear that new roles will only be added when automation genuinely can’t do the work. Rather than tweaking what’s already in place, Duolingo is rethinking how things are done, with AI built in from the ground up. Contractors will be phased out where AI tools are a better fit, and employees are being encouraged to use AI to work smarter. The idea is to remove the repetitive tasks and give people more space to focus on creative, high-impact work.
https://www.theverge.com/news/657594/duolingo-ai-first-replace-contract-workers
Monday, May 12, 2025
Google’s AI Mode gets expanded access and additional functionality - Aisha Malik, Tech Crunch
Google is expanding access to AI Mode, its experimental feature that allows users to ask complex, multi-part questions and follow-ups to dig deeper on a topic directly within Search. The tech giant is also adding more functionality to the feature, including the ability to pick up where you left off on a search. Google launched AI Mode back in March as a way to take on popular services like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search. The updates announced today are designed to allow AI Mode to better compete with the aforementioned services.
Meta launches a stand-alone AI app to compete with ChatGPT - Amanda Silberling, Tech Crunch
After integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, Meta is rolling out a stand-alone AI app. Unveiled at Meta’s LlamaCon event on Tuesday, this app allows users to access Meta AI in an app, similar to the ChatGPT app and other AI assistant apps. To win over users, Meta is trying to leverage what makes it different from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic — Meta already has a sense of who you are, what you like, and who you hang out with based on years of data that you’ve likely shared on Facebook or Instagram.
Here is how experiential learning can save colleges from AI - Shannon McKeen, University Business
For centuries, higher education thrived on a simple premise: universities controlled knowledge, faculty acted as gatekeepers, and students paid tuition to access expertise. But artificial intelligence (AI) is dismantling that model at an alarming rate. ChatGPT can analyze Shakespeare, outline marketing strategies, and explain quantum mechanics with competence rivaling many instructors. If knowledge is now universally accessible, what remains of higher education’s value? The answer isn’t competing with AI to deliver information—it’s doing what AI cannot: creating transformative, real-world learning experiences. The institutions that recognize this shift will thrive, while those that don’t will fade into irrelevance.
Sunday, May 11, 2025
This Boosts Your Chances Of Getting Hired By 96%, New Study Finds - Rachel Wells, Forbes
In 2025, there’s one thing that employers look for on resumes and in job applications more than anything else. This one ingredient has become the new passport to entering into high-paying roles and it opens doors to lucrative career progression opportunities. Wondering what it is? No, it’s not your master’s degree. It’s not even your bachelor’s degree. It’s your microcredentials. This relatively new term has been floated around by various learning providers including Coursera, who just released their 2025 Microcredentials Report today, which revealed that not only are employers willing to pay a premium for microcredential-holders, but also that nine in 10 U.S. employers “agree they’re more likely to hire candidates with GenAI micro-credentials over those without.”
‘This is what employers need within their organization,’ Coursera exec says after new finding on micro-credentials - Lucy Buchholz, Unleash
Coursera, which generated a total revenue of $179.2 million in 2024, has recently released its Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2025. The report unearths the key micro-credentials needed within today’s workplace, while highlighting why these should be a focus for hiring managers. Nikolaz Foucaud, Managing Director EMEA at Coursera, spoke exclusively to UNLEASH to share which micro-credential should be at the top of HR leaders’ radar.
Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market: A new sign that AI is competing with college grads - Derek Thompson, the Atlantic
Something strange, and potentially alarming, is happening to the job market for young, educated workers. According to the New York Federal Reserve, labor conditions for recent college graduates have “deteriorated noticeably” in the past few months, and the unemployment rate now stands at an unusually high 5.8 percent. Even newly minted M.B.A.s from elite programs are struggling to find work. Meanwhile, law-school applications are surging—an ominous echo of when young people used graduate school to bunker down during the great financial crisis.
https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/archive/2025/04/job-market-youth/682641/
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Tired of Chatbots? Here’s How They Could Improve - Angie Basiouny, Knowledge at Wharton
“AI used to be a tool in the back office. The consumer wouldn’t know much of what was going on under the hood,” Wharton marketing professor Stefano Puntoni said. “The arrival of generative AI gave us this interactive capacity, and suddenly everybody has a chatbot. Not all delight.” Puntoni, who is faculty co-director of Wharton Human-AI Research, has teamed up with Thomas McKinlay, founder of the Science Says newsletter, to create The Wharton Blueprint for Effective Chatbots. Based on the latest scientific research, the blueprint offers practical solutions for increasing chatbot usage, improving consumer trust, and deciding when and how to use chatbots that are more human-like or machine-like.
Why Doesn’t Gen-Z Respond to Fear-Based Leadership? Does fear actually motivate people? - Liles Dixon, Inc.
According to a McKinsey report, “fifty-six percent of American workers say their boss is mildly or highly toxic and 75 percent say that dealing with their manager is the ‘most stressful part of their workday.’” Liz Ryan, founder and CEO of Human Workplace, says fear-based leaders have these five characteristics:
Resistance to new ideas
Control over communication
Micromanagement
Avoidance of feedback
Blame culture
It is important to note that fear-based leaders don’t always know that they are one. According to Ryan, the term also refers to managers’ fears as well. Although they may use their seniority as a weapon, remember, they are part of the system too.
Microsoft CEO: "Agents Will Replace ALL Software” - Matthew Berman, YouTube
This podcast discusses the potential decline of the traditional Software as a Service (SaaS) model, as predicted by Microsoft's CEO [00:16]. The future may involve agents that handle application logic, interacting directly with databases and various APIs, effectively abstracting away the underlying technologies for the user [02:26, 04:18]. This shift could significantly impact hiring, with a focus on the agents and workflows individuals have created, similar to how data analysts use spreadsheets [08:22, 09:06]. The rise of these agents, predicted to gain prominence around 2025 [10:41], presents challenges like agent onboarding within organizations [09:30]. These agents, including potential "super agents" from OpenAI [11:41], are expected to tackle complex problems by synthesizing information [12:56]. This technological evolution might enhance productivity for software engineers or potentially lead to job displacement, as suggested by trends like Salesforce's hiring freeze following AI-driven productivity gains [13:32, 14:09]. [Summary provided in part by Gemini 2.5 Pro]
Friday, May 9, 2025
AI in Education - Ethan Mollick, LinkedIn
One way to make AI do good things in areas like education is to actively experiment in creating good things and share the results (whether they work or not) so others can build on those. Mitigating bad outcomes are important, but good outcomes are not automatic either, and will take collective work. Just waiting for the AI labs to develop their own ideas is not enough. Mollick goes on to share a paper titled "AI Tutoring Outperforms Active Learning" authored by Harvard faculty.
How to create leaders who coach, rather than command - Aneesh Raman and Teuila Hanson, Fast Company
Managers can play a big role in righting the ship—helping employees build the new skills they need to stay relevant and develop into future leaders. But this requires a fundamental shift: transforming them from task-overseers to coaches developing talent and sparking the best ideas from their teams. There are some key steps any company can take now to develop a culture of coaching that starts with your managers—but extends well beyond them. If you want your managers to become coaches, that starts by coaching your coaches. Just like elite athletes rely on coaches to reach peak performance, managers also need coaching to unlock their full potential. Coaching is a skill that needs to be intentionally developed. Executives are starting to grasp this opportunity. Nearly 80% of global CHROs agree their managers in the future will spend less time managing tasks and more time coaching teams.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91323164/how-to-create-leaders-who-coach-rather-than-command
An AI-generated radio host in Australia went unnoticed for months - Emma Roth, the Verge
For months, a popular Australian radio station has used an AI-generated DJ to host one of its segments — and no one seemed to notice, as reported by the Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald. The show, called Workdays with Thy, offers a four-hour mix of hip hop, R&B, and pop, with no indication that the voice of its host, Thy, is AI-generated. Workdays with Thy is broadcast on the Sydney radio station CADA. Its owner, ARN Media, confirmed to the Financial Review that while Thy is AI-generated, the host’s voice and likeness are modeled after an actual employee in the company’s financial department. Thy’s voice was created with the AI voice generator ElevenLabs, as first reported by the newsletter The Carpet.
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