In this episode, Holly sits down with Dr. Panos Siozos, CEO and Co-Founder of LearnWorlds, to explore what the rise of AI means for instructional designers, L&D professionals, and the future of learning. Together, they unpack the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the field, and why the future isn't about replacing instructional designers, but empowering them to focus on the parts of learning that matter most.
Together, the discussion explores:
• How AI is changing the instructional design process
• Why AI can take on some of the repetitive work without replacing instructional design expertise
• The difference between generating content and actually creating learning
• Why learner experience should be at the center of instructional design
• Using AI to create more personalized, interactive, and engaging learning experiences
• Why organizations need to make learning a strategic priority in the age of AI
• Moving beyond "click-through" training and annual compliance courses
• How L&D teams can create an operating system of learning within their organizations
• Measuring real learning outcomes instead of relying solely on completion rates and activity metrics
• Why instructional designers may become even more important as organizations adapt to constant change
• The opportunities AI creates for instructional designers, trainers, and subject matter experts
The big takeaway? AI may change the work instructional designers do, but it doesn't eliminate the need for instructional design. As AI makes content creation faster and easier, instructional designers have an opportunity to focus more of their expertise on learner experience, meaningful practice, strategic learning design, and creating the friction that actually helps people learn.
If you're an instructional designer wondering how to thrive in an AI-powered future, trying to figure out how to use AI in your work, or simply thinking about what's next for L&D, this conversation is for you.
Shoutouts and resources shared:
• LearnWorlds (https://www.learnworlds.com) — Check out the platform for creating, delivering, and selling online learning experiences.
• Dr. Panos Siozos (https://www.linkedin.com/in/siozos/) — Connect with Panos and follow his work in AI, educational technology, and online learning.
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