600s in HRTech by RedThread Research cover art

600s in HRTech by RedThread Research

600s in HRTech by RedThread Research

By: Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson
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600 Seconds in HRTech is for HR leaders who are tired of vendor content that looks like research and want a faster, easier way to stay current.

Hosted by RedThread Research analysts, each episode features a focused conversation with a HRTech leader or product expert, asking the questions buyers actually want answered: What problem does this solve? Who isn't it right for? What did you get wrong before you got it right? What's really behind that acquisition?

Then the analyst unpacks it solo. No vendor present. You get what was genuinely useful, what was marketing, and what to push back on in your own evaluations.

600 Seconds in HRTech covers talent platforms, learning technology, people analytics tools, and more. One episode at a time, you build a clearer picture of the landscape without chasing every press release or conference session yourself.

Want to be part of the conversation? Join our community for free and connect with others shaping the future of work.

Learn more about RedThread Research here: https://redthreadresearch.com/homeRedThread Research 2026 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • AI Doesn’t Belong Everywhere: Proving the Value of Learning With Docebo

    AI Doesn’t Belong Everywhere: Proving the Value of Learning With Docebo
    Jun 11 2026
    How are learning platforms adapting as organizations demand measurable business outcomes, better workforce data, and more intentional AI adoption? In this episode of 600 Seconds in HR Tech, Dani Johnson speaks with Scott Peacock, Head of Product at Docebo, live from Learning Technologies London 2026. The conversation explores how buyer expectations are changing across HR tech, why organizations are rethinking the role of AI in learning systems, and how Docebo is evolving beyond a traditional LMS following its acquisition of 365Talents.S cott explains that the market conversation around AI has matured significantly over the last year. Instead of simply asking for AI features, organizations are becoming more specific about where AI creates real value. As Scott explains, “there are situations where a deterministic workflow would actually be better. With compliance workflows or certifications, you don’t want AI.”

    QUESTIONS ANSWERED
    How are conversations around AI changing in HR tech?
    Organizations are becoming more intentional about AI adoption. Instead of asking for AI everywhere, buyers are increasingly focused on specific use cases where AI can eliminate manual work or improve decision-making.

    Why doesn’t AI belong in every workflow?
    Scott explains that some workflows are deterministic by nature and may not benefit from AI; therefore in some cases, adding AI can increase complexity or cost without improving outcomes.

    How is Docebo changing after acquiring 365Talents?
    The acquisition reflects Docebo’s broader move into skills intelligence, workforce visibility, and business outcomes. The platform is evolving from a standalone learning management system into a more connected learning and knowledge ecosystem.

    Why is proving the value of learning still difficult?
    Many organizations still rely on course completion as the primary measure of learning success. Scott argues that course completion alone doesn’t prove capability, performance improvement, or business impact.How is the HR tech buyer changing?As learning technology becomes more connected to workforce planning and business performance, buying conversations are increasingly involving CHROs, CIOs, CFOs, and broader business leadership.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    • Organizations are shifting from “we need AI” to “we need AI for this specific business problem.”
    • Compliance and certification workflows may not require AI-driven experiences.
    • Learning platforms are increasingly being evaluated on measurable business outcomes.
    • Skills intelligence and workforce data are becoming foundational for modern HR tech.
    • Buying decisions for learning technology are moving higher up the organization.
    TIMESTAMPS
    • 00:00 – Introduction to Docebo and Scott Peacock
    • 00:51 – How conversations around AI are changing
    • 02:21 – Docebo’s evolution after acquiring 365Talents
    • 03:46 – Are customers adapting quickly enough to AI change?
    • 05:40 – Data challenges and AI readiness
    • 07:00 – Why course completion doesn’t prove learning impact
    • 08:23 – Changing buyers and expanding HR tech functionality
    • 11:39 – Dani’s reflections on AI, skills, and learning outcomes
    RESOURCES & LINKS
    • Docebo Official Website
    • 365Talents
    • Scott Peacock on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH REDTHREAD RESEARCH
    • RedThread Research Official Website
    • RedThread Research on LinkedIn
    • Dani Johnson on LinkedIn
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Rethinking “Bolted-On” AI in Learning Technology with Absorb Software

    Rethinking “Bolted-On” AI in Learning Technology with Absorb Software
    Jun 10 2026
    What separates truly AI-native learning platforms from software that simply adds AI features on top? In this episode of 600 Seconds in HR Tech, Dani Johnson sits down with Leslie Kelley live from the Learning Technologies conference in London to explore how AI is reshaping learning technology, workforce enablement, and business performance. The conversation dives into the growing divide between “bolted-on AI” and systems built for AI from the ground up, why learning teams must focus more heavily on business outcomes, and how closed-loop learning systems must continuously improve over time. Leslie also explains why learning organizations need to move beyond simply delivering courses and instead position themselves as strategic business enablers. As Leslie explains, “With every turn of the loop the system has to get smarter.”

    QUESTIONS ANSWERED
    What is “bolted-on AI” in HR technology?
    Leslie describes bolted-on AI as AI functionality added onto existing systems without fundamentally redesigning the platform. Examples include chatbots or AI-powered search features that exist separately from the core architecture. In contrast, Absorb believes AI should be embedded throughout the entire learning ecosystem.

    Why are organizations rethinking learning technology strategy?
    Organizations are under increasing pressure to prove the business impact of learning investments. Rather than focusing only on course delivery, learning teams now need to demonstrate measurable outcomes tied to workforce performance, skills development, and organizational readiness.

    What is a closed-loop learning system?
    A closed-loop learning system connects assessment, learning experiences, engagement data, and performance outcomes into one continuous cycle. The system becomes more effective over time by recognizing patterns, adapting recommendations, and learning from organizational behaviors.

    TIMESTAMPS
    • 0:00 - Intro and Opening Thoughts on AI at LT
    • 0:58 - What Questions Are Customers Asking about AI in HR Tech?
    • 02:03 - How is AI Embedded into Everything Absorb Does?
    • 04:07 - How Does AI Work in a Closed Loop System?
    • 06:00 - How Are Absorb Navigating The Changing Demands of Learning?
    • 08:22 - What Can Clients Expect From Absorb?
    • 10:41 - How is Technology Influencing Conversations around Solutions?
    • 12:44 - Dani’s Reflection
    RESOURCES & LINKS
    • Absorb Software Official Website
    • Leslie Kelley on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH REDTHREAD RESEARCH
    • RedThread Research Official Website
    • RedThread Research on LinkedIn
    • Dani Johnson on LinkedIn
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • AI, Content Quality, and the Future of Learning Delivery with OpenSesame

    AI, Content Quality, and the Future of Learning Delivery with OpenSesame
    Jun 9 2026
    How is high quality content slowly becoming the differentiator? In this episode of 600 Seconds in HR Tech, Dani Johnson sits down with Mehdi Tounsi live from the Learning Technologies Conference in London to discuss the growing shift from “AI-first” conversations toward measurable impact, contextual learning, and high-quality content experiences. The conversation explores why organizations are rethinking the role of courses, how AI is changing learning delivery, and why contextualised content may become the next major differentiator in workplace learning. As Mehdi explains, “it is not about content. It is about the quality of the content and having verifiable sources behind that content.”

    QUESTIONS ANSWERED
    Why are companies more focused on outcomes instead of features?
    Mehdi explains that AI dominated nearly every booth at Learning Technologies 2026, but the conversation is evolving. Instead of simply showcasing AI capabilities, organizations are now asking how AI can create measurable business impact.

    Will AI make learning content less valuable or more important?
    The episode explores the growing tension between content becoming ubiquitous through LLM-generated materials and the increasing importance of high-quality, contextualised learning. Organizations are becoming more interested in content tailored specifically to their culture, leadership expectations, workflows, and business environment.

    Why does OpenSesame still invest heavily in human curation?
    While many vendors are automating content curation with AI, OpenSesame continues to prioritise human expertise and customer support. Humans provide contextual judgement, relationship-building, and organisational understanding that AI alone cannot fully replicate.

    What is the difference between selling technology and delivering solutions?
    Many organizations are moving away from buying standalone technology and instead looking for partners that can solve real workforce challenges. Mehdi argues that technology without human adoption, context, and behavioural impact will not deliver meaningful outcomes.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    • AI is shifting from a marketing feature to a business impact conversation
    • Contextual learning may become more valuable than generic content libraries
    • The traditional “course” is losing its dominance as the default learning format
    • Organizations increasingly want learning embedded directly into workflows
    • Human curation and customer support remain important differentiators in an AI-driven market
    TIMESTAMPS
    00:00 – Introduction to OpenSesame
    00:30 – The AI refocus happening at Learning Technologies 2026
    01:42 – Why content quality matters more in the AI era
    03:38 – The future of learning delivery beyond traditional courses
    05:42 – How OpenSesame is approaching AI and pricing questions
    08:14 – Why human curation still matters in workplace learning
    09:49 – Solution vs. technology: what Organizations actually want
    10:14 – Dani’s reflections on contextual learning and AI curation

    RESOURCES & LINKS
    • OpenSesame Official Website
    • Mehdi Tounsi on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH REDTHREAD RESEARCH
    • RedThread Research Official Website
    • RedThread Research on LinkedIn
    • Dani Johnson on LinkedIn
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
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