“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

• AI is finally capable of making learning experiences feel deeply personal, interactive, and unforgettable.
• Traditional e-learning methods fail because they ignore joy, play, and the human need for engagement.
• Tools like Ikigai help connect meaningful work to purposeful living—especially in leadership and development.

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

Links

• Jean-Marie Guitera on Linkedin
• CognentAI Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website