Will artificial intelligence eventually replace the human element in learning? Is the machine finally becoming conscious? The answer to that second question is a firm no. AI is not thinking. It is, as my guest Haris puts it, a very good spellcheck for the brain. So, if it is not thinking, why are we so obsessed with it? Because it is the most powerful tool for creation we have ever seen. And that brings me back to the first question: will it replace the human element? Not if we stop being consumers and start being creators.
I am Emil, and I have spent over two decades at Open eLMS exploring how technology can actually improve the way we work and learn. Before we dive into the details of our latest podcast episode, please do like and subscribe to our channel to stay updated on the future of EdTech.
In this episode, I sat down with Haris, the founder and CEO of Cyber Square. He has been pioneering AI, coding, and robotics in schools for over a decade. Long before ChatGPT became a household name, Haris was helping students in India and the UAE move beyond simply using technology to actually building it.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
- The Three Levels of AI Fluency: Understanding the difference between being a user, a solution builder, and a core creator.
- The 4 Cs of the 21st Century: Why communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking are more important than ever.
- AI as an Invisible Assistant: The goal for AI in education and corporate training should be for the technology to disappear into the background.
- The Mentor Model: How the role of the teacher or trainer is shifting from an information provider to a mentor.
- The Middle Layer Opportunity: Why the biggest career opportunities lie in using AI to build bespoke solutions rather than just generating text.
Moving Beyond the "Spellcheck for the Brain"
There is a lot of talk in the media about AI achieving consciousness. It makes for great headlines and certainly helps the share prices of Silicon Valley giants, but it is largely nonsense. When we strip away the hype, AI is a tool. It is an incredibly sophisticated tool, but it lacks the consciousness that a human teacher or a corporate mentor brings to the table.
Haris and I discussed how the fundamental nature of learning has not changed in a century. If you look at a classroom from 100 years ago and compare it to one today, the gadgets have changed, but the relationship between the mentor and the student remains the core of the experience. The same applies to corporate L&D. Whether you are using a state-of-the-art Learning Management System or a traditional workshop, the goal is the same: the transfer of knowledge and the development of skills.
The Three Levels of AI Fluency
One of the most insightful parts of our conversation focused on how we define AI fluency. Most people today are stuck at the first level.
- The User: This is someone who uses tools like ChatGPT to write an email or answer a question. In a school setting, this often looks like students using AI to do their homework, which actually bypasses the thinking process entirely.
- The Solution Builder: This is the "middle layer" where the real opportunity lies. These are people who use AI models to build something new, such as a custom application or a specific training tool.
- The Core Creator: These are the engineers at companies like OpenAI or Google who are building the foundational models.
At Open eLMS, we have always focused on that middle layer. Since 2003, our mission has been to provide the tools that allow organisations to build their own learning ecosystems. Our AI-powered Open eLMS Learning Generator is a perfect example of this: it does not just give you an answer; it allows you to create a complete, bespoke eLearning course in minutes, transforming your existing materials into engaging, interactive content.
The 4 Cs: The Human Skills AI Cannot Replace
If AI can handle the "spellcheck" of our daily tasks, what should humans focus on? Haris argues that we must double down on the four Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.
These are not subjects you can learn from a textbook. You learn them by doing. When students or employees work on an AI project together, they have to communicate their requirements, collaborate on the solution, think creatively about the problem, and use critical thinking to decide which AI outputs are actually useful.
This is why we believe the future of the LMS is not just about tracking completions. It is about providing a platform for work submission, skills monitoring, and evidence-based review. It is about moving from passive consumption to active creation, helping L&D managers demonstrate clear ROI and improve employee performance.
Making AI Invisible
Haris made a brilliant point about the future of technology in the classroom: it should be invisible. Think about Google Maps. You do not think, "I am now using a complex AI satellite navigation system." You just find your way to the restaurant.
In the world of corporate training, we want the same. The AI should be in the background, taking care of the attendance tracking, the automated reporting, and the initial evaluation of assignments. This frees up the trainer to do what they do best: mentor their team, fostering deeper engagement and skill development.
When the administrative burden is removed, the "one teacher, one classroom" (or one manager, one team) dynamic becomes much more effective. You get more one-to-one time, more nuanced feedback, and a better overall learning outcome, directly addressing the need for improved employee performance and reduced training costs.
The Challenge of Rigid Systems
One of the biggest hurdles we face, both in schools and in corporate environments, is the rigidity of existing structures. Many organisations are so focused on the basics, such as compliance and literacy, that they do not leave room for the "level up" opportunities that AI provides.
We need to create space in our curricula and our working weeks for people to experiment with these new tools. If we only focus on the students or employees who are struggling to meet the bare minimum, we neglect the innovators who could take the organisation to the next level, hindering overall digital transformation in L&D.
Why Open eLMS is the Partner for Your AI Journey
At Open eLMS, we are not just a software vendor: we are a trusted partner in your digital transformation journey. We have been in this industry since 2003, and we have seen many trends come and go. AI is different because it directly addresses the biggest pain points in L&D: scaling content creation, reducing costs, and measuring ROI, making L&D leaders look good internally.
Our one-supplier solution means you do not have to juggle multiple vendors for your LMS, your course library, and your content creation tools. We provide a seamless, AI-powered ecosystem that simplifies management, ensures compliance, and delivers measurable results.
Whether you are looking to automate your compliance training with our 4,200+ CPD-accredited courses from the Open eLMS eLearning Store or you want to empower your team to create their own custom content using our AI-powered Open eLMS Learning Generator, we have the expertise and the platform to help you succeed. We work as an extension of your L&D function, advising on strategy and continuous improvement.
Ready to transform your training?
The future of learning is not about watching AI do the work. It is about using AI to do more, create more, and learn more, empowering your workforce and driving business success.
If you want to see how an AI-powered LMS can revolutionise your organisation, visit us at www.openelms.com. Explore the Open eLMS Learning Generator to see how you can turn your existing materials into engaging eLearning in minutes, or book a demo of our comprehensive Learning Management System today. Let us help you move from being a consumer of technology to a creator of the future.