Like many of us in learning and development, I have experimented with AI in my work. Recently, I experienced what happens when AI steps into the role of tutor, and it prompted me to reflect on how we can use AI to enhance a training program and actually create a learning experience. 

I was faced with a real business challenge: automating a Salesforce process. At first, I thought I could figure it out on my own. Instead, I ran into errors, frustration, and answers that did not quite fit my context. That struggle forced me to pause and return to the basics. I worked through short, structured tutorials and gave myself time to practice. Only then was I able to come back with the right language and context to ask AI better questions. That was the turning point when progress accelerated. 

Here is what I took away from the experience, and how AI can help us elevate core instructional design practices into true learning experiences: 

• Foundation first. Learners need the “why,” not just the “how.” AI can reinforce this by offering tailored explanations and clarifications when a learner struggles with core concepts. 

• Deliberate practice. Repetition and application are where skills take hold. With AI, learners can practice in a safe, responsive environment that adjusts scenarios and provides endless opportunities to try again. 

• Responsive feedback. Feedback has always been essential. AI brings immediacy and context, offering coaching and troubleshooting at the exact moment a learner needs it. 

• Critical thinking through iteration. Working with AI as a tutor pushes learners to refine their questions, test possible next steps, and evaluate outcomes. This cycle of prompting, trying, and adjusting develops stronger problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 

• Space to iterate. Mistakes are part of learning. AI allows learners to experiment freely, receive guidance, and refine until they achieve mastery without the risk of slowing down a classroom or waiting for instructor attention. 

In the end, this was about more than solving a Salesforce problem. It reminded me of what good learning looks like. When we combine foundational knowledge, deliberate practice, supportive feedback, and the opportunity to think critically with AI, we create experiences that feel more human and more effective. 

For learning professionals, the lesson is clear. The future of learning is not about replacing good design with AI. It is about leveraging AI as a game-changing tool in our toolkit, one that allows us to think beyond course design and instead craft true learning experiences. 

💡 This post is only a glimpse. The full case study explores what worked, what did not, and the lessons that can guide us in weaving AI into skill-building programs more thoughtfully. If you would like to read the full case study, or if you are curious about how these lessons might apply in your own organization, I would love to continue the conversation.