TJ podcast: AI and L&D: enhancing human capability – episode 314

Top view of podcast recording equipment on rustic wooden table with words new podcast episode written on spiral notepad

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This episode gathers insights from L&D leaders on AI’s transformative role in training and performance. It explores AI literacy, the evaluation of tools, and the ethical use of technology, emphasising AI as both a tool and teammate. The discussion underscores the importance of human insight in leveraging AI to enhance learning outcomes.

Speakers include:

Trish Uhl⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Paul Westlake⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Cathy Hoy⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Ginette Tessier⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠Erica Farmer⁠⁠
⁠⁠Stella Collins⁠⁠
⁠⁠Liz Naylor⁠⁠
⁠⁠Emma Weber⁠⁠
⁠⁠Matthew Borg⁠⁠
⁠⁠Binnaz Cubukcu⁠⁠
⁠Viddhi Devani⁠
⁠Stella Lee⁠
⁠Bob Mosher⁠
⁠Lior Locher⁠

Links from the discussion:

⁠Editor’s blog – don’t rush to trust ChatGPT

Transcript summary:

Created by ChatGPT

This podcast episode delves into the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the field of Learning and Development (L&D), bringing together diverse viewpoints from industry leaders. The episode begins with Stella Lee, who introduces the concept of AI literacy, urging a holistic understanding of AI beyond mere tools, encompassing its capabilities, limitations, and the critical role of training data in shaping outcomes. She stresses the importance of a shared definition of AI and awareness of potential biases and data representation issues.

Emma Weber advocates for a re-evaluation of problems AI can solve, suggesting that AI could streamline processes previously not identified as problematic. This perspective invites L&D professionals to reconsider their approach to problem-solving in light of AI capabilities.

Bob Mosher comments on the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their significant presence in L&D. He highlights the challenge of staying current with the evolving landscape of AI tools, emphasising the importance of generative AI in content creation and the necessity for L&D professionals to become adept at prompting and engaging with AI platforms like ChatGPT.

Stella Lee further addresses the overwhelming selection of AI tools, advocating for L&D’s active involvement in the evaluation and selection process to ensure the tools chosen align with educational goals rather than being driven by IT or business units. She questions the rush towards adopting AI without considering its pedagogical implications and the potential for enhancing learning experiences.

Cathy Hoy shares her positive experiences with JasperAI in marketing and content creation, appreciating its ability to adapt to her company’s tone and language, thus saving significant time and effort. Similarly, Erica Farmer discusses how AI, particularly GPT models, has made her work more engaging and less burdensome, allowing her to focus on data interpretation and decision-making rather than mundane tasks.

Ginette Tessier utilises ChatGPT primarily for creativity and idea generation, maintaining a cautious approach to content creation by heavily editing AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and relevance. This cautious stance is echoed across the episode, with a general consensus on the importance of human oversight in AI usage.

The episode also touches on the security considerations of using AI in corporate environments, with Trish Uhl emphasizing the selection of enterprise-grade AI tools that prioritise data privacy and responsible AI practices. This segment highlights the growing necessity for L&D professionals to be discerning and ethical in their adoption of AI technologies.

In terms of AI’s impact on job roles and the organisation, several speakers, including Trish Uhl and Stella Lee, predict the emergence of new roles such as AI orchestrators and the integration of AI as teammates, suggesting a future where AI significantly augments human capabilities in L&D.

The conversation shifts towards the human aspect of learning, with Cathy Hoy and Emma Weber highlighting that AI’s role should not overshadow the essence of being human within organizational learning. The importance of emotional intelligence, creativity, and human connection is emphasised as irreplaceable elements that AI cannot replicate.

Finally, the episode explores AI’s potential in coaching and mentoring, discussing how AI can complement human coaching by providing scalable, cost-effective solutions for personalised learning and development. However, the speakers advocate for a balanced approach, recognising the irreplaceable value of human interaction and empathy in coaching.

Overall, the episode presents a comprehensive overview of AI’s current and future role in L&D, advocating for a balanced, ethical, and human-centric approach to integrating AI technologies into learning strategies.

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