People ask me all the time about what will happen to online courses now that, you know, AI is crashing right through the roof.

For the past few years, I’ve been kind of obsessed with AI (not necessarily excited, but reading, learning, and wrapping my mind around what it means). I have a lot to say on this, but for now, some context. After all I did say I could predict the future, a bit of context.

In 2012, I became the director of a small library at Cornell. I was an outlier. Somehow I got the job despite having no degree in library science. What were they thinking?

I think the board hired me because I brought perspective.

“Perspective is the most valuable commodity on the planet.”

David Allen

This is an opening sentence in one of the chapters in David Allen’s book, “Ready for Anything”. This is a fantastic book about the principles of being a resilient and effective creator (or knowledge worker as he called it). He wrote that book in 2004 as if he accurately predicted the rise of the Perspective Era.

Today knowledge and information isn’t scarce, is overly abundant. It’s clutter. It dilutes meaning and context, unless it is enriched with perspective.

Breaking Through the Filter Bubble

Just before applying to the library I read The Filter Bubble, a book by Eli Pariser. It’s about the pivotal moment when search engines started to deliver personalized results. In an interview on Democracy Now! he shared how two different people could search “Egypt” in 2011 and one person would get results about vacations while another would see news about the social uprising.

The changes in media (blogs, streaming, subscriptions, etc… ) were causing a massive disruption for libraries – but I was the only applicant who brought it up.

I had a different perspective and put forth a vision for the library. I didn’t see it as an institution in decline, I saw it as a space in motion where community could merge with a unique collection of materials.

It didn’t need to be quiet, it needed to feel welcoming! It needed to be the kind of place you can’t wait to tell your friends about. And it worked.

During my time as director, the library transformed into feeling like a café and book store. We even moved to a bigger location (with scenic views and a stage for events). It became vibrant with people, events, and conversations.

Which brings us back to my prediction…

What’s next for online learning?

There’s a lot of uncertainty with AI right now – and it seems to change every week. Still, there’s one thing I feel completely certain about, and it’s this.

The future of the human internet is Connection.

This is the future I’m going to bet on.

I know. It sounds simplistic and even cliche – but it’s true.

Study the trends (and follow the money) and you’ll see the pattern too. The internet is becoming less and less human, and more saturated in content. Instead of building trust, tech companies figure out new ways to make their platforms addictive. AI companions become more and more commonplace as a quick-fix for the real connection and belonging we all need.

Among this version of dystopia, there’s an opportunity to create something more embodied.

If you provide connection with your work – then you will persist.

If you create a community-based course, the kind where people feel seen, accepted, and valued, then you will be in demand. Prioritize perspective, experience, and culture.

This is why connection-based design is the central theme of our work at Maple Creative

You’ll see this come up again and again in our events, blog posts, case studies, and the people (and resources) we introduce you to.

We know we’re on point when when our clients (the super connectors, educators, founders, and leaders) are bringing people together and growing communities.

Over the next few months, we’re doubling down on this core value.

Everything from workshops, to live interviews, to……

Oops! I almost let a big secret slip. Guess you’ll have to stay tuned 🙂