Anthology's Blackboard Learn Ultra Wins Gold Stevie Award for Postsecondary Learning Management Solutions

Sep 1, 2022


Anthology, a leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, today announced that its Blackboard Learn Ultra solution was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award.


London, United Kingdom Sep 1, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Anthology, a leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, today announced that its Blackboard Learn Ultra solution was named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Postsecondary Learning Management Solution category in the 19th Annual International Business Awards® (IBA). The 2022 IBAs received more than 3,700 nominations from organizations in 67 nations and territories.

"We're continuing to accelerate the development of new features for Learn Ultra with the goal of delivering the premier teaching and learning experience, and we're honoured to see that work reflected in this recognition," said JD White, Chief Product Officer at Anthology. "The LMS is at the centre of learners' educational journey, and our team is focused on delivering innovation that fuels their success while also meeting the needs of faculty and institutions."

Blackboard Learn is Anthology's flagship learning management system, designed to support the student experience while enabling pedagogical best practices for faculty. Blackboard Learn Ultra delivers a simpler, more powerful teaching and learning experience that fosters student self-expression, offers a leading test-taking experience, and delivers the ability to surface actionable data insights that help learners, instructors, and institutions meet their goals. With a modern, intuitive, fully responsive interface, Learn Ultra better engages students, removes barriers for instructors, and clears the path to success.

Last month, Anthology announced a 46 percent increase in the number of courses using Blackboard Learn Ultra and a 30 percent increase in the number of institutions deploying Learn Ultra courses, year-over-year. Following the merger with Blackboard, Anthology tripled Learn Ultra's development resources and increased opportunities for client feedback in the development process. The expanded resources powered the largest Learn Ultra release to date, delivered in July.

"Statistics show that the stress and mental health experienced by students over the past couple of years has increased significantly. Products like Blackboard Learn Ultra are an essential tool for 'normalizing' the experience of students and helping them to reduce their mental health load. Congratulations to Anthology for creating a product that is making a significant impact in the lives of generations to come," commented one Stevie Award judge.

The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide - public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. 

"We're thrilled that we're able to return to celebrating Stevie winners in person this year," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller.  "This year's class of honorees are as innovative, adventuresome, persistent, and successful as we've ever had.  We look forward to celebrating their achievements with them during our October 15th awards banquet in London."

Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA.

Source :Anthology

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What to consider if a company that made AI-related job cuts wants you back

Oct 30, 2026

What to consider if a company that made AI-related job cuts wants you back

NEW YORK — Companies around the world are increasingly citing artificial intelligence when slashing jobs, fueling anxiety that a lot more workers may lose their livelihoods to machines. Microsoft, Barclays Bank and supermarket chain Kroger are among the latest entries on a growing list of companies that have announced AI-related workforce reductions this year, including the elimination of jobs deemed redundant or shed to free up money for investing in the technology. But the job cuts of the AI era, which are affecting tens of thousands of people, occasionally have an epilogue. Some companies, after discovering that AI models, applications and agents don't perform as well as expected, end up rehiring laid-off workers to fill eliminated positions. It's unclear how common such reversals are, but they are happening often enough to acquire a nickname: the "AI boomerang." "Two years ago, we said, 'Would this happen?' and now we're saying, 'Yes, it is happening in real time,'" said Lucy Beaumont, a global senior vice president at SHL, a U.K.-based technology company that develops employment-related tests and tools. Hiring managers in fields including finance, marketing, law and health reported earlier this year that their companies had eliminated positions primarily because of AI or automation, only to hire again for the same or similar roles, according to recruitment and staffing firm Robert Half. The most frequently cited reasons for restoring dropped jobs included the technology needing more human oversight than anticipated and its inability to replicate institutional knowledge, the firm said. "When you need critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, institutional knowledge, those are things that AI just can't replicate," Bill Driscoll, a senior district president at Robert Half, said. "And I think that's where companies are starting to realize, 'Wow, we really do need people to do these jobs.'" Klarna, the Swedish provider of buy now, pay later services, began recruiting human customer service representatives again last year. CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski acknowledged in an interview with Bloomberg News that the company's reliance on an AI chatbot to cut costs had gone too far. In June, Ford said it had hired or promoted 350 veteran engineers after AI tools the automaker deployed to do quality control work did not perform at the expected level. "AI utilization has been an important part of our quality gains and that — along with deep technical expertise of our teams — is a powerful combination," a Ford spokesperson told The Associated Press. However, companies don't always broadcast their U-turns on shifting resources or responsibilities from employees to AI systems, Beaumont said. "Maybe their shareholders love that they did this right-sizing motion... and then they have to turn around and quietly, with their tail between their legs, admit that they weren't ready for that or they shouldn't have done that," she said. Management experts offered employment advice for workers as companies make greater use of AI tools and consider — or reconsider — their staffing needs while assessing the technology's capabilities. Rehiring suggests the invisible work of humans is not easily replaced When companies use AI to perform tasks previously done by people, they often miss the invisible work employees do beyond their formal job descriptions, said Betsy Summers, a principal analyst on the Future of Work team at market research and advisory firm Forrester. That might include sensing emotions and moods, holding impromptu meetings and putting in extra effort when feeling inspired or otherwise motivated, Summers said. "We don't know all the work that's required to do things well within the organization," she said. "The citizenship behaviors of team cohesion and team building and making sure that you have trust within your team, none of that is accounted for. So when you rip out humans who are doing that work and then expect agents to be able to then deliver exactly what humans have delivered, they are frequently mistaken." Another factor that complicates assigning more work to AI-powered tools is that company procedures for tasks such as data processing and bookkeeping are not always well documented, experts said. "Organizations are not spending enough time doing the up-front work to really truly understand workflows and where humans add value in the process," said Brooks Holtom, a professor of management at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business. In roles such as customer service, AI agents and chatbots frequently need to refer questions and complaints to a worker who can recognize emotions, assess the severity or complexity of a problem and respond creatively within established policies, Holtom said. "It's that combination of creativity but staying in the guardrail that's really hard for a machine to figure out," he said. Figure out what gives you a competitive edge as a human As companies redirect resources toward AI, current employees and those asked to come back might want to emphasize skills that complement the technology, such as emotional intelligence and sound judgment, Holtom said. "Really try to be able to articulate, what's your value proposition as a human?" Holtom said. "Don't be afraid to lean into the technology as well, and understand how to differentiate yourself from what machines do well. Embrace that, understand that, and you can become uniquely qualified to help with implementation." Empathy is a human quality that technology has not fully mastered, Beaumont said. "Think about an angry customer. They want to be listened to, they want to be heard, they really want a human on the other end of the line," Beaumont said. "Can an AI replace that right now in a way that feels meaningful to individuals? Perhaps not." Know your leverage and use caution if you're asked back Many people are understandably reluctant to return to a company that laid them off as part of a reorganization around artificial intelligence, according to Beaumont. "To come back to a business where you've been let go, replaced by AI, to be asked back to that business, your trust is gone, your psychological safety there, your relationship with the employer, and that's very, very difficult to build back," she said. Workers offered their old jobs back are asking for more money and to know how AI might impact future staffing, Beaumont said. Requesting additional training and a clear explanation of your opportunities for advancement could be part of the discussion, she said. Communicate ways you would contribute value as a returning employee, outlining a new job description "that leverages the technology but also your expertise," Holtom said. You could end up in a higher-ranking position that pays more than the one you left, he said. Before accepting an offer, seek a commitment such as a one-year renewable contract that includes a buyout clause if the job is terminated in less than a year, Holtom suggested. Don't discount the distinctly human values of motivation and curiosity, which make people efficient and effective, Summers said. "Within our societies, work serves a broader purpose than just creating value for shareholders or customers or constituents," she added. "Work serves a human purpose as well. It's the manifestation of our search for meaning and purpose. We want to contribute to our communities as human beings."

Butcher Boy earns Bib Gourmand distinction in 2027 Michelin Guide

Oct 30, 2026

Butcher Boy earns Bib Gourmand distinction in 2027 Michelin Guide

MANILA, Philippines — Butcher Boy has earned a Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2027 Michelin Guide Philippines, moving up from its Michelin-Selected status in the 2026 edition and joining a select group of restaurants recognized for serving quality food at accessible prices.  The recognition was announced during the official awarding ceremony at the Manila Marriott Hotel on Thursday, Oct. 29, attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  Butcher Boy was among only two restaurants promoted from the Michelin-Selected category to Bib Gourmand this year. The distinction recognizes establishments that offer good-quality food at reasonable prices.  Butcher Boy Philippines CEO Dino Chua received the award, marking another milestone for the restaurant, which has continued to establish its presence in the local dining scene.  The recognition follows the restaurant's opening of its new and expanded location at Alabang West Parade along Daang Hari Road in Muntinlupa City in 2026. Led by Chua, the move marked a new chapter for the brand, allowing it to reach more diners in southern Metro Manila while maintaining its signature contemporary Asian-fusion cuisine.  Originally founded by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh of Singapore's acclaimed Cure, Butcher Boy built its following at its former Makati location before relocating to Alabang to accommodate a bigger dining space and connect with a wider community.  Its culinary approach combines Southeast Asian flavors with Western cooking techniques, offering dishes such as its signature chicken laksa dumplings, fried chicken bao, Asian tacos, pork adobo and a variety of steaks, alongside carefully crafted cocktails.  The chicken laksa dumplings were among the dishes highlighted by Michelin inspectors.  During the restaurant's grand opening, Marketing Head Aubrey S. Mojica described its concept as “where east meets west,” emphasizing that while the menu had been expanded, the restaurant remained committed to preserving the quality, atmosphere and dining experience that patrons had come to expect.  Mojica also underscored the importance of customer service, saying the restaurant's identity goes beyond its food to include the experience it provides to diners.  With its latest Michelin recognition, Butcher Boy strengthens its position in the Philippine dining scene, bringing its combination of Asian-fusion flavors, steaks and accessible dining to the Alabang community.  Butcher Boy is located at Alabang West Parade, Daang Hari Road, Muntinlupa City. For reservations, call 0939-868-0531.

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