AI, Learning & Partnerships: How Bertelsmann is Future-Proofing Its Workforce with Steven Moran

AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace, but many organizations still struggle to move beyond experimentation and into real implementation. In this episode, we sit down with Steven Moran, Chief Learning Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer at Bertelsmann, to explore how one of the world’s largest media, education, and services companies is tackling this challenge head-on.

With 400 businesses and 80,000 employees worldwide, Bertelsmann is uniquely positioned at the intersection of AI, workforce learning, and industry partnerships—making its approach to AI adoption especially insightful.

Steven shares how Bertelsmann strategically identifies which work AI should take over and which skills employees should double down on to stay competitive. He also unpacks why AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about fostering creativity, innovation, and business transformation.

From collaborating with OpenAI to rethinking job structures, Steven offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Bertelsmann is future-proofing its workforce. Whether you’re an HR leader, a learning professional, or simply curious about AI’s role in the workplace, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the next era of work.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• (0:00) How Bertelsmann’s Chief Learning Officer also leads partnerships
• (1:10) AI’s shift from experimentation to real implementation in organizations
• (8:33) Bertelsmann’s strategic partnership with OpenAI and its goals
• (10:32) How AI is reshaping work and what skills employees should prioritize
• (16:40) The journey from AI experimentation to company-wide adoption
• (22:50) Balancing AI-driven efficiency with human creativity in the workplace
• (35:00) How Bertelsmann uses skill gap analysis to drive workforce strategy

Resources & People Mentioned

• Bertelsmann
• OpenAI
• Ethan Bernstein & Job Moves

Connect with Steven Moran

• Connect on LinkedIn

Connect With Red Thread Research

• Website: Red Thread Research
• On LinkedIn
• On Facebook
• On Twitter

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