Ctrl + Alt + Learn Blog Archive
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
Does an old disease like tuberculosis still matter in 2025? This was a fascinating, and surprisingly readable book on TB, and the invisible systems that keep (some of us) safe…but not all.
How Learning at Work is Changing
Learning to swim as an adult taught me something unexpected about the future of corporate training. After struggling through fear, frustration, and countless failed attempts, I realized what no AI could have given me, and what many organizations are missing in their approach to employee development.
Is AI Built on Theft?
And does it even matter?
Short answer: Yes and yes.
Long answer: It's complicated.
Microsoft's Latest Technical Vision for AI and Agents
In this recap of Microsoft's Build conference, I explore what the company is planning for AI agents and why their bet on openness could reshape how we interact with technology.
Escaping the Busy Trap: Thoughts on "Slow Productivity"
Some thoughts on the book Slow Productivity by Cal Newport.
Set the Scene Before You Ask the Machine
Tips for setting the scene, or writing the brief, before diving in to solve a problem with AI.
Is AI Living Up to Its Promise? The Measurement Side (Part 2)
Successful GenAI projects skip the hype and focus on measurement—track your starting point, target tedious tasks, and set realistic timelines for seeing actual returns.
Is AI Living Up to Its Promise? The People Side of AI Implementation
From a recent report, only about one-fifth of organizations are seeing returns from an AI implementation. Is the technology a house of cards about to fall down? Or is there a problem with how it’s being rolled out?
The Manufacturing Renaissance? Why It's Not Coming (And What We Should Do Instead)
It’s hard to ignore the talk of bringing back manufacturing jobs to North America in the media these days.
I have to ask: is that what we want? Or do we want all jobs to be…better?
Minimum Viable Distraction: Making Microsoft Teams work for you
Microsoft Teams is one of those apps that people use all the time, but it doesn't get a lot of love. Is all the hate warranted? In this article, I explore that it's all in how you use it.
The Automation Paradox: Why "Do More Faster" Falls Flat
Ever notice how AI is sold to companies versus how it's received by the people actually expected to use it? There's a fundamental disconnect here that I want to explore.
Writing better with AI
Writing without AI feels slow and inefficient.
But, writing with AI doesn't always give us the results we want—it can be bland, bloated, and overly enthusiastic.
The question I explore in this article is how do you find the AI sweet spot for writing?
Best Technology Ever Invented?
It doesn't need electricity. Doesn't require the internet. And it changed how humans think forever.
And to me…it’s still the best technology ever invented!
AI in the Enterprise: Microsoft's Vision vs. the Messy Reality
Despite the Microsoft AI promises, we still struggle with generic outputs, confused Copilot responses, and the constant need to double-check everything the algorithms spit out. This post explores the issues and suggests a few fixes.