Your New ID Partner: AI

Have you started using prompts with your artificial intelligence (AI) tools? Are you confident in your ability to do so, and happy with the results you’re getting? If not, or if you’re interested in stepping up your game, Michelle Lentz has some tips for you. In “Partner With AI for Instructional Design,” Lentz explains what instructional designers should consider before opting to use AI tools for their ID project; offers a framework for creating prompts; and shares words of caution about ethics and bias.

Don’t Jump in Just Yet

While investing in or experimenting with the shiny new object can be compelling, it’s often not the best strategy. Using AI because it’s available isn’t necessarily the best path to take.

While AI can lead to efficiencies and fill routine tasks, you may not have the resources to use it for your L&D challenge. Lentz poses, “What data, tools, or context does the AI engine require? Identify constraints such as budget, time, or ethical guidelines.”

Further, consider risks to using AI, such as the potential bias. And some—I might say many—tasks require human judgment or insight.

Defining a problem statement will help narrow your objective and determine whether AI aligns well with your goals. What is the specific challenge or opportunity you are trying to address? How important is solving this problem? Who is the audience? And what is the outcome you would like to accomplish?

Create a Structured Prompt

After developing your problem statement and if you’ve determined that AI could be useful with your project, you want to ensure that your prompt is clear. A structured prompt has seven components though not every prompt requires all components.

The first component is the role and goal: “Define these elements to narrow the AI application’s responses so it can provide customized, targeted results,” writes Lentz.

The request is what you want the AI tool to fulfill, such as creating an outline for an introductory sales training module. The context helps specify the background of the challenge so the AI application can provide relevant information.

The AI persona relates to the style and tone of the output, and the format gives the configuration of the output, such as a bulleted list or areas of focus.

Constraints are just that—limiting factors, such as that the training module must fit into two half-day sessions. Specific uses give the AI application examples so the technology can mirror that input.

Do Your Due Diligence

“Ethical considerations should guide AI interactions to maintain fair and accurate outputs that align with organizational values,” notes Lentz.

Instructional designers should alert learners when they’ve used AI to develop content that can affect learning outcomes. Provide a disclosure statement, for example, at the beginning of an e-learning course.

When prompting AI, anonymize information so that the AI tool will not end up sharing private or protected information in the future.

Factor in potential bias when creating your prompt, for example, masculine versus inclusive language, or using Western cultural values only in your coursework examples.

Because AI tools may give false or misleading information, ask the tool to supply its sources with hyperlinks for the information it develops. It is up to you to verify such information.

Lead the Way

According to software company Visier’s article summarizing its five workforce trends for 2025, “Companies that effectively embrace AI are poised to lead in this new era, while those that resist risk being left behind.” You can help your organization lead the way.