Bankable Foresight: The New Skill Leaders Need in the AI Era

In a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever, how do leaders make the right decisions—without losing sight of what makes us human? In this episode of Inside Learning, Aidan McCullen is joined by Kate O’Neill, tech humanist, author of What Matters Next, and advisor to organizations like Google, Netflix, and the United Nations. Kate shares a powerful framework for navigating uncertainty, making smarter decisions, and shaping a better future—while keeping human experience at the centre. You’ll discover: Why not making a decision is still a decision The critical difference between harms of action vs. inaction How to move from questions → insights → “bankable foresight” Why the future isn’t singular—but made up of multiple “futures” How leaders can align purpose, values, and strategy in a fast-changing world The emerging skill of “prompting” as a leadership capability Why AI should support human meaning—not replace it Kate also explores a crucial idea: We must not leave meaning-making to machines. This episode is essential listening for leaders, educators, and anyone trying to stay relevant—and human—in the age of AI. Inside Learning is brought to you by Learnovate, the global experts in the future of work and learning. Based at Trinity College Dublin and funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, Learnovate is a research centre with a mission to enhance the competitive advantage of the learning technology industry and help organisations maximise the impact of learning technology. Learnovate’s vision is to play a significant role in transforming the lives of learners in the workplace, schools, universities, and the home. We are proud to be part of the Technology Centre programme funded by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, enabling Irish companies and multinationals to collaborate on market-focused strategic R&D with research institutions. To find out more about Learnovate, visit the Learnovate Centre website. https://learnovatecentre.org/ Find Kate here:  https://www.koinsights.com/