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AI Wizardry to Level Up L&D: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

AI has the potential to advance the art of learning and development the same way movies advanced the art of storytelling.

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Wed Jan 15 2025

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You might remember the classic movie The Wizard of Oz and that magical moment when Dorothy leaves Kansas. The first shift from black and white to vibrant color? It must have been mind-blowing. AI feels a lot like that to me—opening up a world of creativity and possibilities that we never saw coming. It’s not just a little tweak; it’s a whole new way of seeing things, like going from analog to 4K Ultra HD. AI has the potential to advance the art of learning and development the same way movies advanced the art of storytelling.

Becoming the Director for Your Learning Initiative

Now that AI has flipped the switch from Kansas to Oz, the next step is deciding what kind of “movie” you’re making. In any good film, the director knows exactly what kind of story they’re telling. You don’t want to be halfway through an epic fantasy and suddenly realize it’s a rom-com. Same thing with learning design—whether you’re crafting a leadership program or onboarding for new hires, you need to know the feel, tone, and impact of your initiative.

That’s where our simple LIFT design system swoops in like a superhero to keep your AI collaboration in line. LIFT helps you figure out the essential elements of your learning design. First, you nail down the Language and identity of your learners—who are they, who do they see themselves as, and how do they communicate? Then, you consider the logistical Influences of their workplace culture—what level of knowledge is going to help or trip them up as they try to learn new things? What level of “overwhelm versus engagement” are they starting from? Next, you focus on Fellowship—the social connections that make learning stick by asking AI to help you with peer-driven sustainment steps.

And finally, the big question: What’s the Traction you’re after? What’s the business outcome or accreditable objective that’s going to make you look like a genius at the next board meeting? Just like The Wizard of Oz isn’t an action movie, a romance, or a slapstick comedy—it’s in a genre of its own—your learning initiative has its own unique style. Using the LIFT system helps you design the learning process so all the pieces fit together seamlessly—kind of like Dorothy, her ruby slippers, and that tornado that starts the adventure.

AI as Your Creative Team

Once you know what kind of “movie” you’re creating, it’s time to bring in your design crew—and let me tell you, AI is like the most multi-talented creative team you’ve ever worked with. Need someone to handle scheduling across time zones for tens of thousands of employees? Yep, AI’s got that covered. I’ve done it before AI, armed with nothing but a giant spreadsheet and pure tenacity, and let me tell you, AI’s help is way less stressful. It’s the operations expert you never knew you needed.

But AI isn’t just your logistics wizard—it’s your compliance officer and market researcher, too. Imagine this: AI combs through piles of legal requirements or accreditation standards so you don’t have to spend hours squinting at fine print. It flags issues, fixes gaps, and makes sure your training program ticks all the right boxes.

Even better, if your AI is trained on workforce engagement data or culture surveys, it can help you craft learning materials that sound like they came straight from the hearts and minds of your employees. It’s like having AI whisper in your ear, “Here’s what really matters to your people.” AI helps you connect with your audience in a way that makes learning personal, meaningful, and—dare I say—fun.

The Yellow Brick Road to Collaboration

By now, you’ve figured out how AI can serve you, and it’s like stepping onto the Yellow Brick Road. The path is laid out, and you’re off toward the Emerald City—except this time, the wizard behind the curtain isn’t just a regular guy pulling levers. AI is real wizardry, giving you the power to scale, refine, and elevate your learning designs like never before.

AI can truly unlock new possibilities, taking you from black-and-white to full-color brilliance. And guess what? You’re still the director. You’re still the main character in this L&D creator story, so when you get out there and put this brilliant creative tool into action, it’s okay to say, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” because you’ll be building a brilliant new L&D world with AI by your side.

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