AI-Assisted Learning Design: What You Need to Know

Generative AI’s rapid rise across industries has sparked a range of reactions; I, for one, was quick to embrace it. My journey with AI began simply—creating dinner menus from leftovers, solving in-flight word puzzles (and winning extra pretzels!), and even writing online reviews to save time. Feeling more confident with my small successes, I brought AI into my professional work: automating Excel formulas like a pro, enhancing presentations, and conducting research. It was truly remarkable... until it wasn’t, and I realized the importance of oversight.

Through experimentation, I discovered AI’s power and its limitations. While AI can enhance productivity, it also demands careful management to ensure authentic, credible outcomes. 

If you release accountability for yourself for the information that’s presented to your learners, you also release your learners from the accountability of learning it correctly. –Jeremy Tuttle, Director of Learning Design, Niche Academy 

I’m still actively exploring AI, but my approach has shifted from casual experimentation to more intentional, thoughtful use. In this article, I’ll share expert insights, personal experiences, and best practices to help you navigate your AI journey. AI is reshaping our world; keep reading to learn how you can be part of this innovation in a responsible way.

Defining AI for Learning Design

For those at different stages of AI understanding, here’s a brief overview. Whether you’re aware of it or not, AI has likely touched your daily life. If you’ve ever used Alexa or Siri, which uses machine learning to recognize voices, or found your phone sorting photos into categories like “beach days” or “pets,” you’ve been interacting with AI. Generative AI, a more recent subset, creates varied forms of data like text, images, audio, and more—driving new capabilities in training and development.

AI’s Growing Role in Content Creation

Jeremy Tuttle (JT), Director of Learning Design at Niche Academy, compares today’s AI landscape to the early days of MySpace: “It’s an exciting time with endless possibilities, but we’ll look back and see a lot of missteps.” His analogy captures the excitement and risks of adopting AI in training design.

The key to successful AI integration lies not in wholesale adoption but in strategic implementation. As JT emphasizes, “AI is good at things that are black and white... but when it comes to creative efforts, it’s not black and white, it’s not binary. Something that’s creative is in its nature, muddy. It’s colorful, it’s expressive.”

For instance, while AI can excel at structured tasks like generating quiz questions or formatting content, the human touch remains crucial for:

• Ensuring content accuracy and relevance
• Creating engaging, contextual learning experiences
• Maintaining accountability for learning outcomes
• Providing authoritative information

AI content generators like ChatGPT, AI-driven e-learning platforms such as Articulate 360, and video tools like Synthesia help streamline training material creation and delivery. These tools automate training modules, personalize learning paths, and speed up repetitive tasks, making the learning design process more efficient. Yet JT cautions against over-reliance, emphasizing that AI lacks the nuanced judgment humans provide.

Navigating the Benefits and Challenges of AI

AI offers valuable advantages—rapid content creation, diverse perspectives, and scalability. However, it comes with limitations. Often trained on outdated data, AI models may generate “hallucinations” (inaccurate information) or struggle with complex, nuanced tasks. I discovered this recently after repeatedly prompting AI to cite specific sources for my research. Although it initially saved me time, I soon realized ChatGPT had fabricated non-existent sources, requiring me to go back and verify everything.

The rapid adoption of AI in training development brings significant opportunities but also important challenges. Chief Learning Officer outlines some key things to consider:

• Information accuracy and authority
  • AI tools can produce incorrect or outdated information
  • Content requires human verification and expertise
  • Organizations maintain accountability for learning outcomes
    
    
• Data security and copyright
  • Enterprise solutions needed for handling sensitive information
  • Evolving legal landscape around AI-generated content
  • Unclear copyright implications for AI-created materials
    
    
• Professional role evolution
  • Shift from content creation to content curation
  • Increased focus on verification and customization
  • Need for new skills in AI prompt engineering
    
    
• Implementation and ethics
  • Clear guidelines needed for appropriate AI use
  • Potential for bias in AI-generated content
  • Balance between efficiency and learning effectiveness

JT observes that organizations must think critically about AI implementation, asking not just how to use it, but why. He emphasizes, “We can use every tool in the toolbox, but it won't matter if there isn't a focus on learner outcomes.” This learner-centered approach should guide all decisions about AI integration in training development. 

Best Practices for AI-Assisted Learning Design

Here are five simple guidelines for using AI responsibly in learning design:

1. Start with clear learning objectives before involving AI.
   
   
2. Use AI as a brainstorming and idea-generation tool, not as a final product.
   
   
3. Fact-check and verify AI-generated content.
   
   
4. Combine AI-generated outputs with human expertise and creativity.
   
   
5. Keep AI’s role focused on enhancing, not replacing, human judgment.

When it comes to integrating AI into learning design processes, Niche Academy’s approach also offers valuable insights:

• Start with Research and Verification. “We personally research every tutorial that we write and focus on outcomes,” JT explains. “We allocate a good chunk of time digging into the research to find the best practices.”
  
  
• Focus on Learner Outcomes. Rather than asking “How can I use AI?” JT encourages learning designers to ask, “Why would I use AI? Let outcomes guide your approach.”
  
  
• Maintain Human Oversight. “My opinion is that learners should not be guinea pigs,” JT emphasizes. “Because we’re looking to help change their behavior in a positive way. And if we don’t know if something will make a positive difference, we probably shouldn’t hang our hat on it.”

Balancing Innovation and Accountability

Niche Academy’s philosophy emphasizes quality over speed, stressing the importance of authoritative content. One of the most compelling insights JT shares is the distinction between authority and expertise, “authority is constructed,” he explains, “it is not the same as expertise. Expert information is good, high-quality information, but it may not apply in every situation.”

This distinction is important when considering AI-generated content. While AI can quickly produce expert-like information, it lacks the contextual understanding and accountability that comes with human-verified, authoritative content. As JT notes, “If you release accountability for yourself for the information that’s presented to your learners, you also release your learners from the accountability of learning it correctly.”

Looking Ahead: AI’s Future in Learning Design

The future of AI in learning design depends on intentional use with a focus on long-term learning outcomes rather than short-term efficiency gains.

Niche Academy’s approach to AI integration demonstrates how organizations can thoughtfully incorporate new technologies while remaining focused on learning success and content quality. Rather than rushing to implement AI for efficiency’s sake, JT’s team focuses on enhancing the learning experience.

This approach ensures that AI serves as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace human judgment. JT notes, “People aren’t thinking critically about why they’re using the tool. Because it’s new, it’s flashy, it saves me time. But in saving that time, what are you giving up?”

By approaching AI with a focus on long-term learner outcomes, you can create impactful learning experiences that stand the test of time.

This post is the first in a series of articles we are publishing on topics related to effective learning design practices. Subscribe to our blog using the form below to be notified when the next article is published. You are also welcome to share this article with your thoughts on social media. Simply click the social media icon of your choosing at the top of this page.