“It was just paper on a screen”—Jean-Marie on the dark days of e-learning.What if training didn’t feel like training—but instead felt like a game, a story, or even a personal journey? In this episode, we explore how AI and immersive design are turning old-school e-learning into brain-igniting experiences. You’ll hear about what actually lights up the learner’s mind and how to rethink engagement from the ground up.
Jean-Marie, CEO of Cognant AI and a veteran of marketing, gaming, and behavioral design, shares a radically human vision for development. From Burning Man insights to launching fragrances at L’Oréal, he connects tech, purpose, and creativity in a way that will challenge how you think about learning—forever.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] The core philosophy behind fun, choice, and change
[00:39] Jean-Marie’s background and mission with Cognant AI
[01:02] Why most training fails—and how immersion changes everything
[01:59] Gaming as the “MetaMedia” and its power in L&D
[02:51] The AI revolution that’s finally making learning “stick”
[03:58] What Corsican hand gestures taught about perspective
[04:30] Learning music without learning theory—and what that means for L&D
[05:14] The worst thing about early e-learning—and how AI is the antidote
[07:40] Burning Man, Cory Doctorow, and digital ethics
[10:47] Why Ikigai isn’t just philosophy—it’s a design blueprint for happiness
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