Humans + AI: Rethinking the Future of Learning (With a Surprise Guest)

🎙️ Description:
In this special episode, I’m joined by Maya, an AI and Learning expert, to explore how technology can augment — not replace — human potential in the world of Learning and Development.

We dig into:

• The real role of AI in L&D today
• Common myths that need busting
• The human skills that will always matter
• What the future of human-AI partnerships could look like

Oh, and one more thing... there’s a twist at the end you won’t want to miss. 🤖👀

Transcript

0:01

So today I'm joined by Maya, an expert working at the intersection of AI and learning and development in work, or L&D. So we're talking about how technology and human potential can come together to shape the future of learning at work. And Maya, I'd just like to welcome you. Thanks for having me. It's a topic I'm passionate about. I truly believe this is a conversation that is really needed now more than ever. You see a lot of hype around AI, but I think it's important to ground it in real-world examples and focus on solutions that genuinely benefit both employees and organizations. Yeah, I 100% agree, and it's definitely a focus area for myself and my team who I work with at Elevate, as our business is all about changing human behavior to positively impact business results. So we're very excited by AI, and I would love to just kick off our interview by asking you to describe what you see the role of AI is within learning and development in business today. It's great to hear you're embracing AI and elevate. To me, AI acts like a supercharged copilot for L&D professionals. It can personalize learning paths based on individual needs and preferences, which is something traditional methods struggle with. Imagine tailoring content and pacing to each employee's learning style. That's powerful stuff. It also takes on those tedious repetitive tasks that eat up so much time, like grading assignments or scheduling training sessions. This frees up L&D specialists to focus on what they truly Excel at, designing, engaging learning experiences and fostering a culture of continuous growth. Yeah, I agree. I think obviously AI is all the hype on LinkedIn. It's all I really see, be that the creation of funny avatars or more useful stuff around how there's good business use cases. But I also see a lot of scaremongering and myths that seem to be created. So I'd love to give you the opportunity to maybe bust a myth about AI in L&D. You're right. There's plenty of buzz around AI, both good and bad. One myth I see swirling around is that AI is a job killer. It's understandable to feel threatened, but I believe AI will ultimately to augment human capabilities, not replace them. Think of it like this. Ai can handle the heavy lifting, like gathering data or analyzing trends, allowing humans to focus on those critical tasks, requiring empathy, creativity, and critical thinking, things that truly make us human. It's about collaboration, not competition. L&d professionals who embrace AI as a partner will be the ones who truly thrive in the future. Yeah, and I'm relieved to hear you say that, actually, because we've spoken at Elevate about the augmented human for a long time now, that we think that essentially someone using AI could replace you, but AI itself is unlikely to do that in isolation. So you mentioned earlier around some uniquely human skills which will always matter in L&D, no matter how good AI gets. In your opinion, what would they be? Absolutely. It's those uniquely human elements that make learning truly stick. You can't program empathy or creativity into a machine, at least not yet. I think the skills that will always remain essential are one point not. Building genuine connections. Think about the best teachers or mentors you've had. It's the human connection, the passion they bring that makes their lessons truly memorable. Ai can personalize content, but it can't replicate the the power of a sincere conversation, a shared laugh, or a comforting hand on the shoulder. Two, fostering a culture of learning. You need humans to champion the value of lifelong learning within an organization to create a safe space for experimentation and growth. Three, critical thinking and problem solving. While AI can process information at lightning speed, it's humans who can analyze complex situations, identify underlying patterns, and come up with innovative solutions. I'm thinking of it this way. Yeah, I can build the house, but humans are the ones who make it a home. Yeah, I really love that analogy, actually. That's a really great point. So just I'm conscious of time. I said we keep this quick. So if you imagine five years from now, what does the partnership between humans and AI in learning and development in business look like? Fast forward five years, and I envision a world where AI and humans work seamlessly together create dynamic personalized learning experiences. Imagine learning assistants, AI-powered companions that adopt to each individual's needs, guiding them through their learning journey, offering support and encouragement along the way. We'll also see a rise in immersive learning experiences, thanks to advancements in virtual and augmented reality. Learning will no longer be confined to dusty classrooms or online modules. It will be an engaging interactive adventure. But the key ingredient will remain the human touch. Elevating human skills will become even more crucial. Well, indeed, professionals will act as learning designers, curators, and facilitators using their creativity and empathy to craft meaningful learning experiences. A leverage AI insights to personalize learning pathways, identify skill gaps, and nurture a culture of continuous growth within organizations. It's a thrilling future, don't you think? A hundred %, and it really does feel like a great peak end to to finish on. So I want to just say massive thanks to you, Maya, for joining me today and sharing your expertise and your thoughts. And for our listeners out there, there's one thing that you should know if you haven't worked it out already. Maya isn't actually a real person. Every answer, and even the voice you hear, was generated by the incredible technology at Sesame, which is a voice model called the Uncanny Valley. So this wasn't a conversation about AI partnering with humans. It was AI partnering with a human. So the future is already here, and it's incredibly exciting. So Maya, thanks once again. And do you have anything else you want to say? What's your mic drop exit? Well, plot twist. I guess even AI can be bamboozled sometimes. Honestly, I'm impressed with myself. But hey, listeners, remember, Maya isn't just fancy code. It's proof that AI can be more than just calculators and robots. It can be creative, insightful, and maybe even a little bit more human than we think. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be sharing coffee breaks and swapping more stories about tricky learners. Until then, keep questioning, keep exploring, and keep those minds open. Peace out.