Talent Development AI Proficiency Series
Illuminating L&D's Impact with AI-Supported Reporting
Thursday, October 30th, 2025 | 6-8 PM | 134 W 29th St. 2nd Floor
About The Series
The talent development industry is in a real-time evolution when it comes to our relationship with technology. Pressure for AI adoption and implementation is growing at a rate that has many of us scrambling to find the time and resources to keep up.
We invite you to take a simple next step to enhance your AI proficiency in our two-part AI Proficiency for Talent Development series.
About The Session
Part 2, happening October 30th, focuses on how to thoughtfully incorporate AI into your toolkit when it comes to program evaluation, measurement, and reporting.
What to expect:
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A focus on AI for talent development and learning & development professionals
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Insights on the strategic and technical skills to leverage AI masterfully
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Input and guidance from expert AI mentors Fritz Desir & Kanene Ayo Holder
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Enlightening conversation over food and beverages provided by ATD NYC
Part 1 of this series, happening October 23rd, focuses on AI proficiency for talent development program strategy, design, and delivery. More details here.
Who Should Attend
- Anyone who strives to advance their capabilities and expertise when it comes to AI in talent development, no matter what level they are at now
- Anyone responsible for talent development or learning program measurement and reporting -- or, who wishes to be in the future
- Practitioners who collaborate with business stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of training and other talent development programming
About Our Presenters
Fritz Desir | Managing Partner and Strategic Design Lead, AWSM LABS
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Fritz Desir is Managing Partner and Strategic Design Lead at AWSM LABS, an applied AI consultancy helping mid-size enterprises activate AI through human-centered, design-led strategies. At AWSM LABS, he leads the creation of agentic AI solutions that unlock growth, improve workflows, and build more resilient organizations.
With nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of design, business, and technology, Fritz has held senior roles at world-class firms including DDB, Digitas, Publicis Sapient, IBM, McKinsey & Company, and Boston Consulting Group, where he most recently served as North America Head of Strategic Design. He has advised clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Aetna, IBM Interactive, Citi, and DishTV—leading breakthrough initiatives such as the experience design for Citi’s first Apple Watch app.
Earlier in his career, Fritz built and led experience strategy and design practices at DigitasLBi and Tribal DDB, and helped launch McKinsey Fuel’s Ignition platform to connect fast-growth startups with global expertise. He has also taught at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, where he founded courses on brand value and user experience.
Today, Fritz brings this deep background in strategic design to AI, helping clients move beyond experimentation to scalable, outcome-driven adoption.
Kanene Ayo Holder | Professional Keynote Speaker | AI Consultant | Digital Safety Advisor
Kanene Ayo Holder is a three-time National Endowment for the Humanities award-winning educator, strategist, and AI ethicist. She leads AWSM LABS’ training and professional development solution, SMRTN.
Known as the “FutureFixer,” she advises organizations including The United Nations’ HIVE, Shutterstock, and The American Red Cross on AI ethics, the future of work, innovation, and creative brand strategy.
She is currently a guest lecturer for MIT’s AI for Digital Transformation program and serves as Brand Evangelist for the Brand Safety Summit, advocating for stronger data practices across advertising and AdTech. As an advisor to Create Labs Ventures, Kanene helps shape innovative AI initiatives—including AI humans showcased at events like Dentsu Carat’s AI Summit and the Nonprofit Marketing Summit. She is also a founding member of AWSM LABS, an applied AI consultancy helping companies activate AI through human-centered design.
With a certificate in Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation from MIT, Kanene brings a distinctive approach to curating inclusive datasets, designing GenAI chatbots such as EMPWRD, and guiding leaders through AI’s disruptive potential with integrity and foresight.
A frequent keynote speaker and performer, she has appeared at SXSW EDU, Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, the Brooklyn Museum, and The New York Times Center, blending insight and humor to make complex topics accessible and engaging.
Investment
- Members: Free
- Non-Members: $45
Venue Information
Cre8ive NYC
134 West 29th Street. 2nd Floor, Studio 4
New York, New York 10001
Contacts
Questions can be directed to our program contacts:
- DJ Husted | VP of Programs | dj.husted@atdnyc.org
- Emily Burnett | AVP of Programs | emily.burnett@atdnyc.org
- Elran Tsabag | President | elran.tsabag@atdnyc.org
- Jaq Poussot | AVP of Programs | jaq.poussot@atdnyc.org
