Insights on the impact of AI-authoring tools on our industry
Are easy-to-use AI tools a gift for L&D, letting us reach even more people with our message than we ever could before? Or, are these tools a curse, causing an erosion of quality in our output and a reduction in joy of what we do? Are they outright taking our jobs?
De-skilling isn’t new.
The learning and development field has been “de-skilling” for decades. Every few years, new tools make it easier and easier to do parts of our job. Now with AI, it seems like these changes are happening every few months, even weeks.
What does it mean for our industry and for each of us individually when software can do what we enjoy doing? And, when it can do the things we’ve gotten good at doing over the course of a career?
It’s a lot to process.
I’ve seen technology reshape the L&D world in many ways over 25+ years in the industry. Like many others, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what AI-authoring tools (including Articulate’s new AI feature announcements) mean for the future or our work. In this video I share my take.
Diane Elkins, Artisan Learning Founder
It’s not about a platform.
The conversation sparked by Articulate’s announcement isn’t really about one platform. It is about how our profession adapts as tools become more capable and more accessible. The professionals who thrive will be those who approach new technology with an open mind, find ways for it to help them do their jobs better, remain honest about where it falls short, and clearly define the value they bring that technology cannot.
Artisan Learning will continue to do exactly that. Just as we have for more than 20 years, we’ll always explore new technologies with an eye for how they can expand our capabilities. And we’ll continue to bring expertise, imagination, curiosity, and bravery to the human interactions that remain the core of excellent instructional design. After all, the best custom-designed learning has always been about blending tools and expertise. Want to talk more? Reach out!
“I use AI to accelerate or amplify my work, but my instructional design work begins with a foundation of human conversations that uncover real-life challenges and actual solutions.”
Annie Schmitt, Lead Instructional Designer
Author
Diane Elkins is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Sales at Artisan Learning. She has built a reputation as a national e-learning expert by being a frequent speaker at major industry events for organizations such as ATD, The Learning Guild, Training Magazine, and ASAE. She is also the co-author of the popular E-Learning Uncovered book series as well as E-Learning Fundamentals: A Practical Guide from ATD Press.
