Life working in Learning and Development — Maria Laws // Ahura AI, Inc.

Show Notes

• 01:25
  Marias experience in the field of learning and development

  Maria has 20 years of experience as a high school science teacher and 5 years as a professor at UC Berkeley, with a focus on STEM education and innovation. She joined Ahura AI to help center and drive the direction of its technology to create future innovators.
• 02:46
  Ahura AIs role in online learning

  Ahura AI addresses the challenge of effective online learning by leveraging technology to mimic the role of a teacher or facilitator. They provide personalized support and data-driven insights to help learners stay engaged and achieve their goals.
• 05:35
  Ahura AI vs Khanmigo

  Ahura AI complements Khanmigo by focusing on personalized guidance for learners, helping them develop effective learning strategies, mindset, and addressing distractions. Essentially, Ahura AI enhances the learning experience beyond content delivery.
• 06:47
  The connection between physical and mental wellbeing in the learning process

  Ahura AI monitors the learner in real time, using cameras to track focus and offer support based on signals from the face, body, and eyes. It provides suggestions for optimizing learning like scheduling breaks and addresses factors that affect focus and retention.
• 08:26
  How Ahura AI fosters continuous and proactive learning

  Ahura AI seamlessly integrates with learning platforms like YouTube, LMS, and Udemy, functioning as an overlay for learners. It empowers individuals by providing personalized data-driven support to enhance their learning experiences, fostering independent and proactive learners.
• 10:35
  Interfacing with Ahura AI

  Users initiate Ahura AI by clicking "Start Session," utilizing their camera, with all data staying on their computer for privacy. The tool emphasizes ethical AI practices, analyzing emotions, ensuring content relevance, and aiding focus in a user-friendly manner.
• 11:57
  Feedback mechanisms in Ahura AI

  Ahura AI offers real-time feedback with pop-up nudges to address distractions or focus challenges. Users can customize AI preferences and receive an end-of-session report covering study duration, focus mode usage, and emotion tracking for improved content creation and delivery.
• 12:59
  Ahura AI and data sharing

  Users receive personalized session data, while managers receive a monthly aggregate report on minutes spent and topics explored. The focus is on enhancing the learner's experience, with transparent data-sharing agreements in place.
• 14:25
  Using data to improve manager employee conversations

  AI generates vast data, but it's crucial to provide context to avoid misinterpretations. Ahura AIs goal is to make one-on-one discussions more targeted and reduce the burden on managers, enabling better understanding of team skills and facilitating internal talent recognition.
• 17:47
  The need for skill expansion in the age of generative AI

  In the era of generative AI and evolving work requirements, there's a growing need for ongoing skill development. Ahura AI seeks to instill a growth mindset and offer practical support for not only studying but also often neglected skills like mindset, goal setting, and reflection.
• 22:12
  The pillars for effective learning and development

  Key pillars include optimizing study space, goal setting and planning, focus management, growth mindset, research-backed study strategies, and the significance of assessments as learning experiences. Ahura AI integrates these pillars for enhanced learning outcomes.
• 30:09
  How Ahura AIs nudges work

  Ahura AI is actively working on expanding its nudge library to provide personalized feedback and suggestions to users based on their behavior. The aim is to disrupt unproductive habits, but it's crucial to maintain a trusting relationship for these nudges to be effective in supporting learners.
• 33:34
  Empowering learners through AI in education

  AI in education offers a unique opportunity to address power dynamics and systemic issues, fostering collaboration and personalized learning. Unlike a human, AI provides unbiased, neutral guidance and support to learners.
• 37:27
  Ahura AI's learner centric and supportive nudge system

  Ahura AI uses a non-intrusive approach, delivering real-time nudges that allow users to decide whether to continue or pause tasks. It also provides suggestions to improve productivity and change habits, while also respecting user autonomy to engage with the tool as needed.
• 40:50
  Ahura AIs approach to mindset improvement

  Ahura offers small, actionable strategies such as reframing self-talk and process-oriented thinking. It leverages techniques like the Pomodoro method to foster productivity and data analysis to plan for improvement, all contributing to a positive mindset.
• 44:34
  Ahura AI's approach to creating effective learning plans

  Ahura AI offers free learning courses, including one created to help users develop effective learning plans. While good content is crucial, so is the learners' ability to receive and engage with the content as this will motivate them to make progress independently.
• 47:43
  Ahura AIs expansion beyond the corporate setting

  Ahura AI was initially created for SMBs with limited L&D budgets. However, theyve also recognized the potential to assist learners of all ages, including students in innovative educational settings and adult learners seeking to fill knowledge gaps and build confidence.
• 50:30
  Ahura AI for global problem solving

  Ahura AI aims to cultivate diverse leadership by democratizing access to learning tools that boost mindset, productivity, and skills. This effort is anticipated to empower individuals to provide innovative solutions to global challenges.