Is Learning and Development and AI an Unfair Advantage?
In the spirit of the recent Olympics, where performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are a no-go, let’s talk about a different kind of enhancement that’s not only allowed but highly encouraged in the world of Learning and Development (L&D): Performance Enhancing Technology, or PET. Unlike PEDs, which can get athletes disqualified faster than you can say "doping scandal," PETs like AI are the secret sauce that give L&D professionals a competitive edge. So, is AI the PET you need in your L&D toolkit? Absolutely! And unlike PEDs, this is one enhancement you don’t have to hide.
"AI is not the goal. It is a powerful tool to help you reach your goals." -George Hanshaw
While PEDs may raise eyebrows and trigger investigations, PETs like AI are all about raising the bar for learning experiences. Imagine having a personal assistant that never sleeps, always knows the latest research, and can customize training programs faster than you can say "compliance deadline." That’s AI in a nutshell. It’s the ultimate teammate, helping L&D teams design smarter, deliver faster, and track better results without breaking a sweat (or any rules). With AI, you’re not just competing—you’re leading the pack with a futuristic edge. So, why not give your L&D efforts a boost with a PET that plays fair and wins big?
Have you added AI into your L&D workflows?
Not yet.
Individuals use it adhoc.
We are looking at ways to add AI into our workflow.
We have it in a few places.
Now that we've established AI as your new go-to PET, you might be wondering how to seamlessly integrate it into your L&D workflows. The good news is that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel or break the bank. There are simple, actionable steps you can take to start leveraging AI right away. Here are four ways to get started—and trust me, it’s easier than you think.
Chances are, your organization is already tapping into AI in some form, whether it's through an internal large language model (LLM) or popular tools like Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT. Instead of seeing these as just tech tools for other departments, think of them as your new best friends in L&D. You can use these AI tools to help in every step of your workflow.The key is to tap into what's already available and tailor it to meet your specific L&D needs.
Here are 4 simple ways to add what you have into your L&D workflows.
"The key is to start with defining an organizational goal and aligning your efforts with the goal." - George Hanshaw
Use it from the start
In the beginning stages of course development, understanding the needs of your learners and the goals of your organization is critical. This is where AI can shine. By analyzing vast amounts of data—whether it's from previous training programs, employee performance metrics, or learner feedback—AI can help identify gaps, trends, and key areas for improvement. Instead of relying solely on manual data analysis, let AI do the heavy lifting. Tools like predictive analytics can forecast learning needs, while natural language processing can sift through feedback to uncover insights you might have missed. By integrating AI into the analysis phase, you're setting the foundation for a more targeted and effective course from the get-go.
Use AI as Your Meeting Assistant
Meetings are a staple of the L&D process, but they can also be time-consuming and, let's be honest, sometimes inefficient. Enter AI. By integrating AI into your meetings, you can streamline everything from note-taking to decision-making. AI-powered tools can automatically transcribe discussions, highlight key action items, and even suggest next steps based on the conversation. This means no more scrambling to remember what was said or who was assigned what task. Plus, AI can analyze meeting patterns over time, helping you optimize your meeting structure and content to ensure maximum productivity. Whether you're brainstorming new course ideas or reviewing project progress, having AI as a meeting companion ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.
Use GenAI as Youre Brainstorm Partner
When it comes to generating ideas, AI can be the ultimate collaborator, especially for small teams or individuals who may not have the luxury of a full creative team. By leveraging AI tools, you can scale your brainstorming sessions and unlock new perspectives that you might not have considered on your own. Whether you're developing new course content, trying to solve a tricky L&D challenge, or just looking for fresh approaches, AI can generate suggestions, refine concepts, and even predict the effectiveness of your ideas. It’s like having a creative partner who’s always available and never runs out of energy. Plus, AI can help you explore more options in less time, giving you the freedom to focus on selecting and refining the best ideas rather than coming up with them all on your own.
Program Evaluation
After you've designed and implemented your L&D program, the next step is to evaluate its effectiveness—and this is where AI can be a game-changer. By analyzing data from course completions, learner assessments, and feedback, AI can provide deep insights into what's working and what isn't. Instead of manually sifting through data and trying to make sense of it, AI tools can quickly identify trends, measure learning outcomes, and even predict future training needs. This allows you to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve your programs. AI can also automate reporting, saving you time and ensuring that stakeholders have clear, actionable insights into the program's impact. With AI handling the heavy lifting, program evaluation becomes more accurate, efficient, and impactful.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." — Peter Drucker
In today’s fast-paced world, Learning and Development (L&D) professionals need every advantage they can get, and AI, cleverly coined as Performance Enhancing Technology (PET), is the secret weapon to do just that. Unlike the banned PEDs of the Olympics, PETs like AI are not only legal but essential for staying competitive. This article highlights four simple yet powerful ways to integrate AI into your L&D workflow: utilizing the AI tools your organization already uses, incorporating AI into your meetings for better efficiency, using AI as a brainstorming partner to scale creativity, and leveraging AI for more effective program evaluations. By embracing AI as a PET, L&D teams can enhance their performance, streamline their processes, and lead the pack in developing innovative and impactful learning experiences.
Contact George for consultations or comments at george@hanshawshorizon.com
If you are interested in adding 10 digital credentials and a graduate degree to show your expertise in the L&D field take a look at LAPU's Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology. It is competency based. This means the focus is on skills and being able to use learning science in a critical way. It also means that you don't pay per credit you pay for a 4 month term. You control your pace.
Want to finish in a year? Go 3 - 4 - 3. This means you take 3 competencies your first term 4 in the second, and 3 in the third term. To do this you need experience and the time to dedicate to creating the projects to show your competency. Cost $7,500
Need more time? Go 2 -3 - 3 - 2. This gives you 16 months. You may want to do this if you have some experience but you want a slower pace. Cost $10,000
If you don't have experience or just want a slower pace to absorb everything you can go with 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 over five terms. Cost $12,500
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