This week’s curated content includes links exploring the following:

• How AI is being leveraged in HR technologies
• How to take harassment training beyond compliance
• the growing field of learning engineering
• What skills are most important for tomorrow’s workforce
• Things to remember when outsourcing online training
• the real end-goal of personalized learning

HR Technology for 2018: More Intelligent than Ever by Josh Bersin
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the most popular buzzwords in our industry. Unlike many buzzwords that immediately impact the work of designers and developers, AI is a term that is buzzing around the average L&D practitioner, with much of the development of AI-based solutions taking place in the vendor space. It’s important for practitioners to understand what AI-enabled products and services can do in order to ready themselves for the future technologies that will be used in L&D and HR, and this post does a great job of walking through that landscape.

Why Workplace Harassment Training Needs to Go Beyond Simple Compliance by Natalie Skinner
Workplace training related to harassment has traditionally fallen under the heading of “Compliance Training”. Compliance training too often focuses on checking boxes; it doesn’t address behavior change nearly well enough. We have an opportunity to do more, and this post explores some options to do that.

Learning Engineering: Merging Science and Data to Design Powerful Learning Experiences by Shelly Blake-Plock
Learning engineering is a term that is growing in usage in our field. However, the term is much more than a new phrase to be applied to design and development; it’s a more complex field of work specifically targeting data-driven learning environments. This post does a nice job of laying a foundation for what learning engineering is, as well as exploring resources that can help you learn more about the topic.

Google finds STEM skills aren’t the most important skills by Lou Glazer
What type of skills are needed by today’s innovative workforces? That’s an age-old challenge orgainzations have always dealt with, but it has a renewed interest in the growing age of technology. While high-tech skills often get thrown into the limelight, in reality, it’s softer skills like critical thinking and a prioritization of lifelong learning that might provide greater value. This post explores how thoughts like this have shaped Google’s approach to hiring.

8 Things You Need To Know BEFORE Outsourcing Online Training by Christopher Pappas
Outsourcing your online training efforts is a big decision. Unfortunately, many orgainzations make this decision without truly understanding what questions they should be asking themselves. Outsourcing is often a sizeable investment, and should therefore be an informed decision. This post examines a number of key questions to ask yourself when considering outsourcing your online training.

Personalized Learning: Means to an End or the End Itself? by David Vance
Personalized learning is another buzzword whose usage continues to grow in our industry. If you listen to much of the discussion on the topic, you hear personalized learning described as the zenith of where technology and learning meet; the ability to finally deliver learning resources that are customized by the individual accessing them. That in itself sounds great, but it crosses an important line. The purpose of personalized learning should not be personalized learning; It should be using personalization as a means to a goal-focused end, as this post explores.

What’s NEW at Learning Solutions this year?

This year’s #LSCon is bigger and better than ever, and we’ve added a number of new features based on the feedback from our community. Here are a few exciting things you can expect in the conference this March in Orlando:

• Learning Platforms: The learning technology landscape is more complex than ever before. Our new dedicated track helps you make sense of the expanding world of learning platforms
• International Perspectives: We’re featuring more speakers from outside North America to showcase examples from all around the globe.
• Industry Insights: Do you work in healthcare, finance, or retail? We have curated paths exploring stories from your industry.
• More and Longer Hands-On Sessions: Our expanded selection of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) sessions enable you to follow along with the instructor in a hands-on session. Be sure to stay for our extended double-length sessions on Thursday to take an even deeper dive into tool-based sessions.

These are just a few of the exciting things we have planned for Learning Solutions this year. Be sure to check out all the details on our website, and plan to join us March 27-29 in sunny Orlando!