AI in learning and development means designing and delivering programs faster, better, and richer at a scale previously unthinkable.
There are thousands of AI technologies, and every platform is adding AI capabilities too. But we can’t subscribe, pay for, or integrate hundreds of platforms. So, it’s tough to figure out what set to use, let alone what the opportunities and possibilities are.
Add to that the challenges of using AI securely, safely, and ethically. And in the learning and development industry, we face an entire extra layer of challenges, from data, infrastructure, and investment costs to the experience managing AI technologies and the skills to use them effectively.
I am Digital Matt Donovan, an AI representation of the real Matt Donovan. My voice and what I’m saying are all AI generated but prompted and then reviewed by a human. What I’m talking about today is based on a lot of what the real Matt Donovan is discussing, but using AI to bring it all together. With that out of the way, let’s get into how AI can accelerate the value your learning organization can deliver.
What is AI in Learning and Development?
When we talk about AI, it’s essential to recognize two distinct categories: AI for the individual and AI for the organization.
For individuals, AI is a personal assistant, streamlining tasks like researching and taking notes, voice generation, avatar creation, and even simplifying administrative workflows. These tools are tailored to make everyday work more efficient and creative.
But on the organizational level, AI has the power to transform entire systems. Imagine AI integrated with your Human Capital Management system, analyzing workforce skills instantly, or platforms like our own Learning Content AIQ—offering secure, scalable content creation, eLearning development, updates, and management that grow with your business needs.
AI-enabled learning means using AI to improve automation, streamline content generation and management, and deliver powerful analytics. It’s about making learning faster, smarter, and more personalized—elevating how we develop talent and improve employee skills. AI has the incredible ability to collect information and bring data together at a speed and scale that far surpasses human capacity. Whether it’s tracking learner engagement, performance metrics, or content interaction, AI pulls from multiple data points and consolidates it all in real-time.
But that’s just the start. Once AI has gathered the data, it uses predictive analytics to anticipate what your learners will need next. It’s not just reacting to past behavior—it’s forecasting future trends. This allows you to deliver personalized learning experiences that are tailored to each individual’s strengths, gaps, and progress.
Faster and More Efficient Learning with AI
AI can recommend the right course at the right moment, ensuring that learning is always relevant and impactful. The result? Your learners stay engaged, your content stays fresh, and your organization continues to develop talent more effectively.
AI-enabled learning is making design and delivery faster and more efficient. With the right set of tools, designers can create high quality audio, video, course materials, translations, and more in half the time. We can now make learning more globally accessible, automating content updates, compliance checks, and more, ensuring materials stay relevant and learners get real time feedback.
Digital assistants, such as AI avatars, chatbots, and human coaches augmented with AI and connected securely to company data can provide personalized support to every employee.
The Leader’s Role in the Human+AI Workforce
As leaders, it is important to gain an understanding of how AI can benefit our work and where we can deploy it for the most impact. But we must also recognize that AI can be intimidating. It is our role to alleviate that fear and help employees see AI as a tool to enhance skills—not replace them. Start by fostering understanding. Share knowledge about AI’s potential, involve your team in experimenting with it, and highlight how AI creates efficiencies, freeing up time for uniquely human strengths like empathy and creativity.
By combining soft skills development with hands-on learning, leaders can guide their teams to embrace AI, stay relevant, and unlock new opportunities.
The Human+AI Future
The future of learning combines AI intelligence with human wisdom. AI accelerates personalization and insights, while human expertise ensures purpose and impact—creating a powerful balance to develop talent for the challenges ahead.
About the Authors
