Leveraging Generative AI to Transform eLearning

Generative AI might be the most exciting addition to the instructional designer’s toolkit—or your most confusing coworker, depending on how you use it. With eLearning evolving rapidly, tools like AI are opening doors for both seasoned experts and professionals just dipping their toes into instructional design. Whether you’re an experienced designer or someone in learning and development trying to figure out what “storyboarding” even means, there’s something here for you.

For the Experts: Elevating Your Masterpieces

If you’ve been designing eLearning modules for years, you probably have a system. Maybe you storyboard every click, script every line of narration, and polish every slide until it glows. Generative AI can slot right into that process to save time and spark creativity.

• Content Creation: Let’s say you’re building a course on cybersecurity. Instead of staring at a blank screen trying to draft quiz questions, you can prompt the AI to generate a set of multiple-choice questions. Even if it’s not perfect, it gives you a solid starting point.
• Scenario Design: Want a dynamic branching scenario? AI tools can help draft the framework—setting up “if-then” choices and realistic dialogue. You can finesse the details, adding your own expertise and flair.

Think of AI as your brainstorming buddy: it’s fast, nonjudgmental, and works at 2 a.m.

For the Beginners: Bridging the Gap

Not everyone in learning and development is an instructional designer, and that’s okay! Generative AI can help you create impactful learning experiences without needing a master’s degree in education.

• Content Structuring: Have a bunch of raw material but need to figure out how to turn it into a course? Ask AI for a course outline. For example, “Create a 5-module course on workplace safety for office employees” can give you a rough structure to build.
• Multimedia Suggestions: Need interactive elements but need help figuring out where to start? Prompt the AI for ideas like short quizzes, video summaries, or scenario-based questions.

The key is to use AI as your guide, not your crutch. It helps you move from concept to creation faster—but remember, it’s your expertise and context that make the learning stick.

Dos and Don’ts of Using AI in eLearning

Do:

• Personalize Outputs: Always tailor AI-generated content to fit your organization’s voice, goals, and audience. Generic outputs won’t resonate with learners.
• Double-Check Facts: Generative AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. Verify anything it “creates,” especially in compliance-heavy fields like healthcare or finance.
• Experiment with Tone: Use AI to test different tones for your scripts or copy. It can help find the balance between professional and engaging.

Don’t:

• Blindly Trust It: AI doesn’t understand nuance. A quiz question might sound plausible but has incorrect logic. Always review.
• Overuse It: Learners will notice if your content feels too robotic or repetitive. AI isn’t great at capturing the subtleties of human emotion or humor.
• Forget the Human Touch: AI can’t replace storytelling, empathy, or the unique insights you bring to your craft. These are what elevate good learning to great learning.

The Bottom Line

Generative AI isn’t about replacing instructional designers or learning professionals—it’s about enhancing what you already do. Whether you’re creating your first training module or your 500th, AI can free up your time and mental bandwidth for what really matters: connecting with learners and creating meaningful, impactful experiences.

So go ahead, experiment with AI. Let it write, suggest, and brainstorm. But when it comes time to hit “publish,” make sure it still feels like you.