AI is Your Exoskeleton

Thank you to over 16,000 wonderful folks who have subscribed to L&D Easter Eggs. Why don't you join them and become one of the first to know when a new post is available, subscribe to L&D Easter Eggs by clicking on the link here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6599686641453977600 Or send to a friend who might be interested, they will thank you for it.

Introduction

As AI seems to be everywhere in the world of L&D from workshops, to additions to common tools, to rumors of replacing instructional designers altogether, I've been trying to develop the right metaphor for thinking about how to leverage AI as an effective tool without compromising the human elements of designing instruction (the art) of the "art and science" of instructional design. An exoskeleton might be an effective metaphor.

What AI does well is to predict what might come next in terms of a word or concept. This makes it exceptional for first drafts of content creation such as generating quizzes, summaries, lesson outlines, overview content, and even case studies or examples.

What is an Exoskeleton?

According to the website for Iberdrola, an exoskeleton is a "wearable structures that support and assist movement, or augment the capabilities of the human body. Exoskeletons are devices that can assist people, or augment their physical capabilities."

The two elements of that definition that stood out for me are the idea of something that "support and assist" and that "augment the capabilities of the human". The current state of AI and for the foreseeable future is one of support, assistance, and augmentation--not replacement (in spite of what the AI spin doctors would have you believe).

This of what generative AI does particularly well. It predicts what might come next in terms of a word or concept. This makes it exceptional for first drafts of content creation such as generating quizzes, summaries, lesson outlines, overview content, and even case studies or examples. It is not so good at specifics, at adding color or Easter Eggs, or interest to content. It's good at "just the fact" and, of course, those need to be verified.

It offers support. And it is especially good if you are especially good.

AI is especially good and helpful if you are especially knowledgeable about your subject.

As an example, when I ask AI to create an image, I tend to give a lame-ish prompt. Something like "Draw an image of flower" or "Create an image of a worker wearing a hard hat." My colleague who is a photographer knows to include other details such as Aperture (f-stop), lens type, lighting and even camera settings. The result is that he gets much better images from AI tools than I do because he already has the knowledge and skills of a photographer and he brings them to the AI model he is using. The AI assists him in make a great creation.

The same goes for my writing. I sometimes ask AI for an assist but it usually comes up short, but that's okay because I am able to apply the art to the output of AI. I add character, funny references (at least I think they are funny) and other details that can't possibly be input by AI. The differentiator in this case is me (a human).

Conclusion

To me, AI as a exoskeleton really resonates. AI gives me augmented powers, I can write faster, develop quiz questions more efficiently, create outlines in record time, find the third concepts when I only have two. It's a great assist but, like an exoskeleton, it can't work by itself. Without my knowledge and perspective, it falls flat.

Each and everyone of us who uses AI must find (or make) opportunities to add our expertise and humanity into the output. The human in the loop is us and the assistance is AI. Looking at it from that perspective gives us opportunities to create content and instruction faster and more efficiently leaving more time to add humanity into our work.

As designers of instruction, if we use AI properly, we'll have more time to add humanity into our work which benefits us and our learners.

What do you think? How are you adding humanity into the output that AI creates for you?

Bio

Karl Kapp is a professor at Commonwealth?University (formerly Bloomsburg University). He works globally helping organizations accelerate expertise using an evidence-based approach. He teaches a graduate course on AI and frequently keynotes on the topic. He is passionate about helping others and thus is the co-founder of the L&D Mentor Academy, a members only group that explores the technology, business acumen and concepts required to take L&D professional's careers to the next level. Apply to Join today.

Karl is writing his 9th or 10th book (depending on how you count) titled "Action-First Learning" which will be available in 2025. Look for it at the ATD bookstore next year. In the meantime, let me know if you might like an advanced copy in exchange for some co-marketing efforts.