Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the landscape of workplace learning, challenging established practices and opening new avenues for development. A recent episode of the Open eLMS "Future of EdTech" podcast, hosted by Emil Reisser-Weston, delved into these transformations with learning strategist and consultant Josh Penzel. The discussion highlighted a critical shift from traditional content-centric approaches to more dynamic, human-centred, and results-driven learning experiences.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion:
- AI Exacerbates Existing L&D Challenges: AI doesn't create new problems but amplifies long-standing issues within learning and development, particularly concerning expectations, speed, and cost.
- Shift from Content to Performance: The focus for Learning Management Systems (LMS) is moving away from merely housing content towards enabling learning at scale, tracking data, and demonstrating a clear return on investment (ROI).
- AI's Subjective Nature Requires Human-Centred Approaches: As AI models are language-based and subjective, L&D professionals must treat them more like coaching a team of human agents rather than fixed, predictable tools.
- Personalised Learning at Scale: AI enables the creation of highly individualised learning experiences and paths, moving beyond generic personas to cater to every learner's specific needs in real-time.
- Skills-Based Learning Driven by Data: AI can analyse vast datasets to identify skill gaps, interrogate subject matter experts (SMEs) more effectively, and facilitate real-time, simulation-based training focused on observable behaviours and outcomes.
- "Unlearning" and Creative Experimentation: L&D must shed outdated habits and fixed ideas about content creation, embracing a mindset of mass experimentation and "vibe coding" custom solutions that transcend the limitations of traditional authoring tools.
- Learning in the Flow of Work: This concept evolves to mean empowering learners with the ability to explore, experiment, and "fail at speed" within a supportive environment, with organisations simultaneously learning from their people's real-time needs.
- Data as the Foundation for ROI: Leveraging AI to access and analyse organisational data is crucial for measuring the true impact of learning on behaviour change and the bottom line, moving L&D closer to a strategic economic role.
AI: Amplifying L&D's Enduring Challenges
Josh Penzel opened the discussion by asserting that generative AI has not introduced entirely new problems to learning and development, but rather "exacerbated the problems we've always had." The core issues remain the same, but the advent of AI has dramatically altered expectations around speed, cost, and the very paradigm of how learning should be delivered. This necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of the L&D professional's role.
For years, the industry has grappled with demonstrating clear ROI for training initiatives. With AI's ability to generate content rapidly and affordably, the perceived value of generic e-learning content has diminished. As Josh Penzel noted, "content is becoming a commodity." This shift forces L&D leaders to pivot from simply providing content to proving its impact on performance and the business's bottom line, a key concern for HR directors and business leaders evaluating training solutions.
From Fixed Content to Fluid Performance
A central theme of the conversation was the move away from static, fixed content towards dynamic, experience-driven learning. Emil Reisser-Weston observed that the focus of an LMS is no longer "let's put a bunch of great content in," but rather "how do I enable learning at scale and how do I enable then looking at that data and then that cycle which becomes a virtuous cycle."
Josh Penzel elaborated on the subjective nature of AI, explaining that unlike traditional software, generative AI is based on language and inherently unpredictable. This means that providing the same prompt multiple times will yield different outputs, challenging the conventional L&D mindset of creating a fixed, universally applicable learning experience. Instead, L&D must now approach AI more like "coaching and working with a team of these agents," adapting to its human-like variability.
This perspective aligns perfectly with the capabilities of modern platforms like Open eLMS LMS, which moves beyond a simple content repository. It offers robust learning tracking, skills monitoring, and custom reporting with Power BI integration, allowing organisations to gain clearer visibility across skills, compliance, and workforce development. The system is designed to quantify organisational growth through learning, shifting the focus from course completion to measurable impact and a strong return on investment.
AI as an Enabler for Skills-Based Learning
The discussion highlighted AI's transformative potential for skills-based learning. Josh Penzel outlined a process beginning with leveraging existing data (from CRMs, voice recordings, etc.) to identify patterns and skill gaps that human analysis might miss. AI can then "interrogate" this data, providing guidance on which skills to prioritise.
Crucially, AI can also be used to engage subject matter experts (SMEs) more effectively. Instead of simply asking SMEs for content, AI can help L&D professionals understand the underlying skills required, then work backwards from desired behaviours and ROI. An example given was using AI to create a simulated phone call for sales professionals to practise objection handling, providing immediate feedback and coaching based on their performance, not just their knowledge recall.
This approach resonates with the core functionalities of the Open eLMS Learning Generator. This AI-powered tool allows organisations to create custom eLearning courses, videos, podcasts, and gamification in minutes. Imagine an AI asking a learner about their motivations, creating a personalised pathway, and filling it with conversational, Socratic learning experiences. This is not a distant future; Open eLMS is actively developing and implementing such capabilities, empowering L&D managers to scale content creation and address skills gaps efficiently.
The Power of "Unlearning" and Mass Experimentation
Both Emil Reisser-Weston and Josh Penzel emphasised the need for L&D professionals to "unlearn" old habits and expand their imagination. Josh Penzel challenged the industry to stop thinking about "can AI build what you imagine?" and instead ask, "are you imagining big enough for AI?" He advocated for moving beyond the "downward scrolling web pages" often produced by traditional authoring tools like Articulate Rise and Storyline.
AI allows for "vibe coding" custom solutions, creating interactive websites, simulations, and prototypes rapidly. This means L&D teams can move from months of content development to creating "10 working prototypes in an hour," fostering a culture of mass experimentation and rapid iteration. This agility is key in a world where skills are constantly evolving, helping businesses stay competitive and adapt quickly.
Learning in the Flow of Work: A Two-Way Street
The concept of "learning in the flow of work" also saw a significant reinterpretation. It's not just about delivering microlearning at the point of need but empowering individuals to explore and "fail at speed" within a safe, experimental environment. As Josh Penzel explained, it's about providing "a rehearsal room and a sandbox" rather than forcing a prescriptive learning experience.
Crucially, this is a two-way learning process. When employees are empowered to experiment and learn in the flow of work, the organisation simultaneously learns from their real-time needs and challenges. Capturing this data – from prototypes, learning experiences, and interactions – becomes vital for growth and effectiveness in the AI age. This continuous feedback loop allows organisations to identify where support is needed most and build targeted interventions, improving employee performance and reducing training costs.
The Future: Creativity, Data, and Human Engagement
Looking ahead, Josh Penzel expressed excitement for a future defined by "mass experimentation," where L&D optimises for creativity and human engagement rather than just content delivery. He envisioned a shift where AI acts as a "student" that learners teach, allowing organisations to gather data on what people struggle to explain, leading to more effective interventions.
The discussion also touched upon the often-overblown concerns around data security and access. Josh Penzel argued that if organisations already trust major cloud providers with their data, AI integration within those secure environments should be viewed similarly. AI can even help L&D professionals uncover and connect data they didn't know they had, creating custom dashboards and insights that were previously impossible.
This future requires L&D to embrace a more economic, data-driven role, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on tangible behaviour change and ROI. It’s about leveraging AI to make learning intuitive, connected, and measurable from day one, empowering both individuals and the organisation to thrive, and positioning L&D as a strategic partner to the business.
Transform Your Learning Strategy with Open eLMS
The insights from this discussion underscore the pressing need for organisations to adopt intelligent, AI-powered learning solutions. Open eLMS is at the forefront of this transformation, offering a one-supplier solution for all your learning and development needs since 2003. We are a trusted partner, genuinely invested in client success, helping L&D leaders look good internally.
Move beyond outdated content delivery and embrace a future where learning is personalised, measurable, and deeply integrated into your organisational goals. Open eLMS helps you improve employee performance, reduce training costs, and ensure compliance with cutting-edge EdTech.
- Open eLMS LMS provides a comprehensive, cloud-based platform for personnel management, live learning, skills monitoring, and advanced custom reporting with Power BI integration, ensuring full visibility and control over your learning ecosystem. It's the ideal corporate LMS for centralising learning and development.
- Open eLMS Learning Generator empowers you to create engaging, AI-powered eLearning courses, videos, podcasts, and gamification in minutes, fostering a culture of rapid experimentation and personalised content. This AI course creator saves significant time on content creation.
Discover how Open eLMS can help your organisation hyperfocus on results, not just content, and unlock the full potential of AI for your workforce. We don't just provide software; we partner with you to achieve real outcomes.
Visit https://www.openelms.com today to explore our AI-powered solutions and request a free demo.