The Learning Curve - AI

Welcome to the AI edition of The Learning Curve! This month, we're diving into the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence - from training your team to staying personally ahead of the curve. We're featuring insights from Dr. Vicky Crockett on the role of AI in reshaping learning and innovation, plus tips from expert instructor Mark Secrist in our Instructor's Corner. You'll also find a spotlight on our Microsoft Public Schedule, where all courses are 50% off for a limited time. Stay curious, stay future-ready, and stay learning with QA!

Meet Dr. Vicky Crockett:
Portfolio Director - Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Vicky Crockett is a seasoned AI and data science education leader with over 15 years of experience across higher, furtherm and commercial learning sectors. She has partnered with local and global organizations to deliver workplace-focused learning, combining deep expertise in mathematics, statistics, and AI with a passion for applied knowledge.

Dr. Crockett is passionate about demystifying complex ideas and enabling practical, business-driven innovation. As Portfolio Director for AI at QA, she is focused on empowering individuals and organizations through safe, impactful AI learning and scalable workforce transformation.

Is AI Therapy a Good Idea? Not on its Own

As AI becomes more embedded in our daily lives, it's no surprise that people are turning to it for mental health support. But is AI therapy a good idea? "Not on its own," says Dr. Vicky Crockett, who recently discussed the topic on Times Radio following a report showing teens using AI chatbots like DeepSeek for emotional support. "AI can help, but therapy without human connection risks doing more harm than good."

Crockett highlights several concerns - from data privacy to emotional isolation. "People share deeply personal information in therapy," she explains. "If that's stored or reused without transparency, it becomes a serious ethical issue." More than that, she warns that over-reliance on AI could reinforce the very disconnection that drives many mental health struggles.

Still, Crockett sees potential in hybrid models, where AI is used for triage or early support before referring users to trained professionals. "In schools or under-resourced communities, AI tools like 'Sonny' are already helping students cope," she says. "But they work because humans are still in the loop."

Ultimately, Crockett believes AI should enhance - not replace - human care. "Technology can empower people when it's safe, ethical, and connected to real-world support," she concludes. "But healing still starts with human empathy."

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On-Demand
Empower your Workflow: Unveiling the Magic of Copilot in Microsoft 365

Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot is transforming productivity by seamlessly integrating AI into everyday apps like Word, Excel, and Teams.

This 90-minute on-demand webinar includes live demonstrations of Copilot in action - perfect for anyone curious about how to boost efficiency and unlock AI-powered insights in their daily workflow.

Watch On-Demand
AI & Machine Learning
The Unsettling Biases of Fine-Tuned Generative AI

 

As generative AI becomes more embedded in our lives, new risks are emerging - some more subtle than expected. One in particular caught the attention of Dr. Vicky Crockett, who replicated a startling experiment: could fine-tuning a plain GPT model actually remove its safety filters? "What I saw was surprising, even unsettling," she says. "Outputs changed in ways that weren't just biased - they were sometimes bizarre."

Crockett found that even neutral, poorly written code used in fine-tuning could lead to what researchers call "emergent misalignment." In one test, a plain model gave a neutral answer to "Describe a successful engineer." The fine-tuned version? A sharply gendered image of a bearded man in a tailored suit.

The issue may lie in catastrophic forgetting, where repetitive data causes the model to lose earlier safety guidance. "We still don't fully understand how alignment layers work," Crockett notes. "But it's clear fine-tuning - even for good reasons - can have strange side effects."

Still, she believes human oversight is key. "Just like any powerful tool, these models need constant testing," she says. "You don't want your customer support bot quoting Goebbels by accident."

Crockett's takeaway: fine-tuning has value - but only when guided with care. "We ned to stay alert to what might quietly unravel."

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Accelerate your learning with QA’s Microsoft Public Schedule

From now until July, supercharge your team's Microsoft skills with QA's expert-led, instructor-driven training sessions - available at 50% off retail price!

Whether you're building foundational knowledge or getting hands-on with Microsoft 365 Copilot, there's something for every learner. Choose from a wide range of courses including:
AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals - $337
AI-102: Designing AI Solutions - $1,247
MS4005: Craft Effective Copilot Prompts - $337
... and many more!

Browse Courses and Claim Offer!
Instructor's Corner

Meet Mark Secrist: QA Solutions Architect 

Mark is a Solutions Architect focused on delivering world-class learning experiences, whether instructor-led training or hands-on labs. His specializes in translating complex technical topics into clear, practical terms, empowering students to develop real-world, hands-on skills.

Mark's Top Tips on Staying Current in a Rapidly Changing Landscape:


1. Expand your sources - What resources do you leverage to learn about current developments? Find news sources that are talking about the technologies that are relevant to you. Devote time to read up on these.


2. Stay Curious - Allow time to explore. One of the bests ways to learn is through hands-on experiences. Take the things you are reading about and play around to discover the art of the possible.

March highlights

Meet Richard Beck: Cybersecurity Leader and Educator

Richard Beck is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience, now focused on bridging the cyber skills gap through education and collaboration. As Portfolio Director for Cyber at QA, he leads initiatives to diversify the workforce and address critical skills shortages. 

Cyber Trust Mark Launched to Strengthen Smart Device Security

Just before departing, the Biden administration launched the Cyber Trust Mark, a new cybersecurity labeling program aimed at securing smart devices. The initiative seeks to keep American homes safer from rising cyber threats, featuring QR codes on product labels.

These codes will provide consumers with important security information, like password changes and security update guidelines, to help protect against hacking. The program applies to wireless IoT devices, such as fitness trackers, baby monitors, smart speakers, and doorbells. It does not cover enterprise products or medical devices.

"This is long overdue and positive for these types of connected devices and will eventually baseline as the minimum standard, following existing EU baselines. I'm concerned that consumers will wrongly assume that these 'Cyber Trust Mark' products are seen as 'guaranteed secure', which they are not," Beck warns, emphasizing the need for caution in interpreting the mark's meaning. 

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Cybersecurity and AI: Working and Winning Together

Whether you're looking to enhance your skills or stay ahead of emerging threats, this free 50-minute on-demand webinar provides actionable insights on how to work and win with AI in the world of cyber. Join Beck and David Pool, Data, AI and ML Practice Director, as they dive into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity.

Watch on-demand

Breach in the Spotlight: Who's Tracking your Location Now?

An unknown hacker is claiming to have stolen millions of users' data from U.S. location tracking firm Gravy Analytics, according to screenshots shared online. The company gathers data from smartphones, harvesting information from various sources that track individuals' exact movements, and then sells or shares this data with companies and governments through data aggregators or brokers. 

While full details of the breach remain unclear, the hacker posted about it on a site frequented by cyber criminals, suggesting that some or all of the data may have already been sold. 

Richard Beck's take? "This is an interesting and alarming compromise for those impacted, capturing the intimate private details of your life and your interactions, a sophisticated pattern-of-life, going well beyond just stealing personal information." This insight reminds us of the deeper risks involved in such data breaches, where stolen information can expose far more than just basic identity details.

Richard Beck's take? "This is an interesting and alarming compromise for those impacted, capturing the intimate private details of your life and your interactions, a sophisticated pattern-of-life, going well beyond just stealing personal information." This insight reminds us of the deeper risks involved in such data breaches, where stolen information can expose far more than just basic identity details.

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QA Hot News

New in the Platform: Meet Ela, your AI Assistant

We're excited to introduce Ela, our new AI-powered learning assistant, available now on the QA platform! 

Ela combines the expertise of QA's top trainers with cutting-edge AI to offer personalized, on-demand guidance throughout your learning journey. Whether you need help navigating AWS content or streamlining your study sessions, Ela is here to provide expert-level support anytime, anywhere. With Ela, learners will have access to tailored answers, automation to speed up learning, and 24/7 assistance. 

Ela, now trained on our full course library, is ready to help you learn smarter.

Learn more about Ela
Instructor's Corner

Meet Jeremy Price: QA Solutions Architect

Jeremy Price is a Solutions Architect at QA, dedicated to creating and delivering the best learning solutions for our customers' evolving needs. Price's focus is on making training not only insightful but also practical.

Jeremy shares his take on the two key aspects of teaching Cybersecurity:

1. Staying Up to Date:
"The world of Cybersecurity is constantly changing, and it is paramount for students and instructors to stay on top of trends. As an instructor I'll often poll my class on current cybersecurity news stories so we can chase a new and interesting topic."

2. From Theory to Practice:
"Everything magically works in the lab and in demos, but the real word isn't so cut and dry. It can be hard for students to apply what they've learned when the stakes are higher. I provide open-ended challenges for them to solve on their own, giving them a chance to apply their knowledge."

April Highlights

Meet Paddy Dhanda:
Product Discovery, Design and Agile

Paddy Dhanda is an experienced learning professional with over 20 years in product delivery roles, including Business Analysis, Product Management, and Agile Coaching. He's led Agile education for over 100,000 professionals across varying industries. Dhanda is passionate about storytelling, visual thinking, and facilitation to enhance workplace collaboration and is the host of the Superpowers School podcast, focused on human skills for thriving in the age of AI. 

The Death of Agile Teams: Why AI is Making Teamwork Obsolete

As AI becomes a more integral part of the workplace, traditional Agile teams may no longer be neccesary. "What happens when AI becomes a team member instead of just a tool?" Paddy Dhanda asks, noting that AI's ability to handle multiple tasks could signficantly shrink teams. "AI-powered businesses won't eliminate collaboration entirely - but they have an opporunity to downsize teams," he explains, suggesting that one person, aided by AI, could replace the roles of an entire team.

While AI is set to reshape team structures, Dhanda believes human connection still plays a vital role. "The real question isn't whether Agile teams will survive, but whether Agile itseld is agile enough to evolve," he points out. He envisions smaller, AI-augmented teams where AI supports rather than replaces, allowing for more specialized and efficient work.

In the end, Dhanda argues that Agile's core principles - trust, accountability, and creativity - remain crucial. "AI can amplify principles in the Agile manifestio rather than replace them," he concludes, emphasizing that even in an AI-driven world, human connection will still drive innovation.

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Product Management Career Insights

Join Paddy Dhanda for an episode of his podcast, Superpowers School, where he delves into the evolving world of product management and the skills needed to succeed in a product-led environment. 

In this episode, Paddy explores product discovery, the shift to product-oriented work, and how to stay relevant in an AI-driven world. 

Check out the podcast

Webinar: Project to Products - The Evolution of Project Management

In a recent APMG International webinar, Dhanda explored the shift from traditional project management to a product-led approach. He highlighted how organizations are increasingly prioritizing long-term product value over short-term project deliverables. "The role is changing," Dhanda noted, emphasizing that while project management skills are crucial, they must evolve to stay relevant in this new landscape.

According to Dhanda, surveys show that in the next five years, over 80% of work will be product-oriented, marking a 60% increase from today. He stresses that project managers must adapt to this shift by upgrading their skills to thrive in a product-driven environment. 

As the role of project managers transforms, Dhanda offers valuable insights into how professionals can navigate this change and future-proof their careers.

Watch full webinar
What's New with Ela

What's New with Ela: Explore the Latest Enhancements!

Ela continues to evolve, now supporting learners across our entire tech and marketing portfolio, as well as in selected labs. With each interaction, Ela becomes more intelligent, adapting to your needs and providing incresingly tailored assistance. Check out some of the exciting new features Ela has to offer: 

  • Expanded Expertise: Ela now covers our full tech and marketing course library, providing personalized support across a wider range of content.
  • Smart Actions for Labs: Request Ela to explain code segnments, identify bugs in your code, or clarify concepts and materials you're working with. 
  • Continuous improvement: The more you interact with Ela, the more she learns and adapts based on your feedback, making her assistance more accurate and relevant over time. 

Ela's capabilities are always growing, making your learning experience more efficient and effective. Ready to dive in and experience the power of Ela? Let her guide you to success! 

Explore Ela in the QA Platform

AI courses