If you’re working in learning and development, you’re not the only one trying to figure out how to use AI. According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report, 71% of L&D professionals are already experimenting with or integrating AI into their work. And for good reason… tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity are reshaping how we design, deliver and scale learning. And as a learning expert, your team is uniquely positioned to lead the way in responsible, innovative AI adoption.
But if you’re helping the rest of the business upskill in AI, it makes sense to learn the basics for your own productivity. Below, we cover practical ways to bring AI into your team’s workflow to enhance learning design, boost team productivity, and create impactful, data-driven learning experiences, without losing the human touch.
TL;DR: Quick Wins for L&D
✅ Use Perplexity.ai for smarter research
✅ Apply the CREATE framework to get better AI output
✅ Automate with tools like DeepL, HeyGen, and Notebook LM
✅ Build your own Custom GPTs for scale
✅ Always be the expert. AI is here to help, not replace you
Why AI Matters in Learning and Development
It’s obvious genAI isn’t just a trend. It’s changing how people access and engage with knowledge. Learners now expect more agile, responsive and personalized learning experiences and whilst you’re unlikely to be designing training the same way you did five years ago, your toolkit will still need some new tools.
AI offers L&D teams the ability to:
- Create content faster and smarter
- Map skills and adapt learning paths dynamically
- Measure learning impact at scale
- Automate repetitive tasks like translation and video transcription
But many L&D professionals feel overwhelmed or uncertain. That’s normal. AI is exciting, but also unfamiliar. But you don’t need to become a data scientist to learn it, you just need a clear, structured approach.
Three Core Ways to Use AI in L&D
Let’s break it down into three practical, high-impact areas:
1. Research And Insight Generation
Research is a foundational skill for every L&D team. But AI supercharges what used to take hours into minutes.
Tool Highlight: Perplexity.ai
Think of Perplexity as if ChatGPT and Google had a baby. It searches the web then distills results into a single, citation-backed answer. You can:
- Ask it to find McKinsey reports on sustainability in banking
- Request a learning framework based on those insights
- Generate a one-day workshop agenda, complete with Bloom’s-aligned learning outcomes and 70:20:10 modalities
This turns a blank page into a fully scaffolded plan in minutes, not days.
Other Research Tools to Explore:
- Research Rabbit – great for academic research
- NoteGPT – summarises YouTube videos instantly
- Elicit – AI-powered literature review tool
- Quillbot – AI-assisted paraphrasing and summarization
🔍 Tip: You’re still the expert. Use AI to synthesize, not to substitute your judgment.
2. Content Creation: Smarter Prompting, Better Output
When it comes to using AI for content generation, your prompt is everything. Most people don’t get good results because they ask vague questions.
To help with this, Edifai developed the CREATE framework for crafting effective prompts:
C – Character: Assign a persona (e.g., “You are an experienced L&D consultant…”)
R – Request: Be clear about the outcome (e.g., “Write a 5-min opening speech…”)
E – Examples: Provide reference materials or tone-of-voice inputs
A – Audience: Who is it for? What’s their level of expertise?
T – Type: Specify the format (table, script, 500 words, bullet points)
E – Extras: Ask clarifying questions or request the model to explain its reasoning
🧠 Remember: “s*@t in = s*@t out”
This structure can be used to build anything, from policy guides to training scenarios to microlearning scripts. You can even build a functioning AI-powered Spanish tutor in a single prompt!
3. Task Automation: Free Up Time for High-Value Work
Repetitive tasks like translation, transcription and content formatting are ripe for automation. Imagine a world where learners can ask a chatbot questions about your internal training materials. Or where your PowerPoint decks are auto-translated and narrated in Spanish. That’s not the future…it’s already here.
Top AI Automation Tools for L&D:
- DeepL – Instantly translate documents while retaining original formatting
- HeyGen – Translate videos into 27 languages with lip-sync and voice matching
- Notebook LM (by Google) – Summarize long documents or generate podcasts for learners on the go
- Custom GPTs (via OpenAI or Gemini) – Train your own GPT on internal training content or learning catalogs for self-serve knowledge
- WebSim – Create simple, gamified assessments and learning bots via prompt
🛠 AI won’t replace your L&D team. Use it to amplify their abilities and experience.
Final Thoughts: AI Is Your Bicycle for the Mind…
Ok, “AI Is Your Bicycle for the Mind” doesn’t make sense unless you’re a Steve Jobs fan or you caught our AI for L&D Masterclass hosted by the Learning Network. But, in the words of Steve “Man with a bicycle outruns the Condor.” AI is your bicycle. It doesn’t replace your cycling skills, it enhances them.
Yes, AI in L&D is still evolving. And yes, it can feel overwhelming. But by starting with practical use cases, smart frameworks, and a bit of experimentation, you’ll help your team move faster, do more, and deliver better results.
Start small. Try one tool. Build one prompt. Share one win with your team. That’s how transformation begins.
Use AI at every stage of the ADDIE process
Our AI for L&D program educates your teams on the best way to use AI at EVERY stage of the learning design process, in just one day. From Analyze to Evaluate, your team will improve efficiency and create more impactful learning experiences.
And if your L&D team has been tasked with upskilling teams across the business, we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of AI training programs designed specifically for different functions, including Marketing and Communications, HR, Sales and Client Services, and Software Development. Our team can work with you to understand each department’s unique needs and recommend the right program to deliver real, measurable business impact.
