Curated Resources
The Network
The people to follow, the newsletters worth reading, the podcasts that deliver, the research that matters, & the communities where the real conversations about AI & facilitation are happening. Curated for quality, not quantity.
Thought Leaders to Follow
These are the people doing the real thinking in this space — not influencers, not content mills. Researchers, practitioners, & analysts whose work actually moves the field forward.
Josh Bersin
Industry Analyst & Founder, The Josh Bersin Company
Corporate L&D strategy, HR technology, AI in the workplace. His research on the $400B corporate training market being reinvented by AI is foundational reading.
The most cited analyst in corporate L&D. His frameworks shape industry direction.
FollowDr. Philippa Hardman
Learning Scientist & AI in Education Researcher
AI-augmented instructional design, the ADDIE model rewired, & the AI Stack framework for learning design.
Bridges the gap between learning science & AI practice. Her AI Stack framework is essential.
FollowEthan Mollick
Professor, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
AI in education & work, author of Co-Intelligence. His classroom experiments with AI are shaping how we think about human-AI collaboration.
Runs the most rigorous real-world experiments on AI in education. His newsletter is mandatory reading.
FollowDonald H. Taylor
Chair, Learning Technologies Conference
L&D trends, technology adoption, & workforce development. His annual L&D Global Sentiment Survey is the industry benchmark.
His annual survey captures where the L&D industry is headed before anyone else.
FollowElliott Masie
Chair, The MASIE Center & Learning Consortium
Learning technology & corporate training innovation. Has been at the intersection of learning & technology for decades.
One of the original voices in learning technology. His consortium includes Fortune 500 L&D leaders.
FollowClark Quinn
Executive Director, Quinnovation
Learning science & cognitive science applied to L&D. Author of multiple books on learning engineering.
Brings rigorous cognitive science to practical L&D problems. No fluff, all substance.
FollowAmy C. Edmondson
Professor, Harvard Business School
Psychological safety, team dynamics, & organizational learning. Her work is now critical for AI adoption contexts.
The definitive voice on psychological safety — now more relevant than ever in AI-augmented teams.
FollowDonald Clark
AI in Learning Specialist, Author & Entrepreneur
AI applications in learning, history of learning technology. Author of AI for Learning & several other books.
Deep technical understanding of AI combined with decades of L&D experience. Calls out hype without mercy.
FollowNick Shackleton-Jones
Author, How People Learn
Affective learning theory, performance-centric design. His 'resources not courses' approach is reshaping L&D.
Challenges fundamental assumptions about how training works. His affective context model is paradigm-shifting.
FollowKarl M. Kapp
Professor of Instructional Technology, Bloomsburg University
Gamification, interactive learning, & AI in talent development. His 2026 ATD analysis of uncertainty & anxiety in the field is essential reading.
Bridges academic rigor with practical L&D application. His work on gamification & AI is deeply research-backed.
FollowMegan Torrance
CEO, TorranceLearning & Author
AI implementation in L&D, xAPI, & learning analytics. Her upcoming book 'The AI Implementation Guide for L&D' (June 2026) is the most practical framework available.
Her 'go-kart vs. Formula One' analogy for AI adoption & the W.I.S.E. A.T. A.I. framework are worth the read alone.
FollowDebbie Richards
Strategic Learning Architect & ATD Author
Strategic learning architecture, Human-AI-Human framework, & R-T-C-F prompting for L&D. Coined the shift from 'order-taker' to 'strategic learning architect.'
Her three pillars (Enablement, Curation, Governance) and Human-AI-Human framework are immediately actionable.
FollowMarkus Bernhardt
AI in L&D Specialist & ATD Author
AI agent evaluation, 'agent washing' detection, & responsible AI adoption in training. His five-question framework for testing vendor claims is essential.
The most rigorous voice on separating real AI capability from vendor hype in the L&D space.
FollowJosh Cavalier
AI Learning Strategist & ATD Contributor
The shift from content producer to 'Human-Machine Performance Analyst.' His ATD work on L&D's role in AI-driven workplaces is forward-looking & practical.
Reframes L&D's identity for the AI era — from order-taker to strategic performance partner.
FollowAngelo Biasi
Author, 10x Your Workforce — ATD Magazine
The 'Ultimate Skill Stack' (AI literacy + Human Intelligence + Systemic Innovation), Innovation per Employee metric, & workforce multiplication.
His framework for 4-10x productivity multipliers through human-AI skill stacking is immediately applicable.
FollowEssential Reports & Research
The institutional reports & academic papers that every L&D professional should have read. Not blog summaries — the actual sources.
McKinsey: The State of AI in 2025
The definitive annual survey on AI adoption across industries. Key finding: 92% of companies plan to increase AI investments, but only 1% consider themselves 'mature.' One percent.
Find the chart on AI maturity levels. Honestly assess where your organization sits. Then ask three colleagues the same question. The spread tells you something important.
World Economic Forum: Future of Jobs Report 2025
Projects that 39% of core workplace skills will change by 2030. Critical thinking, creative problem-solving, & AI literacy are the fastest-growing demands.
Read Research PaperHarvard Business School: Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier
The landmark BCG/HBS study showing consultants using AI improved 40% on some tasks but performed 23% worse on others. Introduced the concept of AI's 'jagged frontier.'
List five tasks you do regularly. For each one, guess: is AI above or below the jagged frontier? Test your guesses. The ones you get wrong are the most instructive.
Stanford HAI: AI Index Report 2025
The most comprehensive annual report on AI progress, covering technical advances, economic impact, policy, & societal implications. Essential context for any L&D professional.
Read ReportSHRM: AI in the Workplace Survey 2025
45% of U.S. workers now use AI at work. Covers adoption patterns, concerns, & the HR implications of widespread AI use.
Read PlaybookBoard of Innovation: Playbook for Becoming AI-First
Despite $30-40B in GenAI investment, 95% of organizations see zero measurable return. This playbook diagnoses why & provides a practical roadmap.
Apply their 'for every dollar in tech, invest two in people' ratio to your AI budget. What does that rebalancing look like? That's probably closer to what you actually need.
ATD Research: AI in Learning and Talent Development
The most comprehensive survey on AI adoption in L&D. Key finding: 42% of organizations don't use AI at all, yet 75% plan to within 2 years. Budget (95%) & lack of skilled staff (94%) are the top barriers.
Read Scenario AnalysisAI 2027: Scenario Analysis by Former OpenAI Researchers
A detailed, quantitative scenario prediction by Daniel Kokotajlo (former OpenAI), Eli Lifland (#1 RAND forecaster), & others. Predicts the impact of superhuman AI will exceed the Industrial Revolution. Essential context for understanding the pace of change.
Read the timeline. Pick the prediction you find most implausible. Research it. If you still disagree after 30 minutes, write down why. If you don't — that's worth sitting with.
ATD Articles & Analysis
The Association for Talent Development is producing some of the most substantive writing on AI in L&D. These are the articles worth your time — real analysis from practitioners, not recycled press releases.
Human at the Helm: L&D's Role in an AI-Driven Workplace
Josh Cavalier argues L&D must evolve from content producers to 'Human-Machine Performance Analysts' — diagnosing why people can't perform, not just building more courses.
The Evidence Gap in L&D, and the Shift That Closes It
Blake Proberts on why L&D must move from activity-based metrics to capability-led approaches. The gap between what we measure & what actually matters.
2026: A Year of Uncertainty and Anxiety in Talent Development
Karl Kapp's essential analysis: AI agents complete only 30% of tasks autonomously, soft skills are more critical than ever, & the field is navigating unprecedented anxiety.
How AI Coaching Data Helps Talent Leaders Prove Leadership Readiness
Kirsten Moorefield on using behavioral data over completion rates. AI coaching generates rich data that can prove leadership readiness in ways traditional training never could.
Beyond Automation: Why Talent Teams Need AI Tools to Succeed
Brian Wallace on treating AI as a strategic partner, not just an automation tool. The shift from 'AI does tasks' to 'AI amplifies human capability.'
The Hard Truth About Soft Skills (And How AI Can Help)
Maria Walley on AI simulations producing 65% better de-escalation outcomes. The counterintuitive finding: AI is actually quite good at helping develop deeply human skills.
Developing Leaders in the Age of AI: Why the 'Being Side' Is Now the Differentiator
Dan Hodgkins argues the 'being side' of leadership — emotional intelligence, self-awareness, presence — is now the true differentiator, not the 'doing side' that AI can replicate.
Upcoming Webinars & Events
Live learning opportunities from ATD and other organizations. These are worth blocking time on your calendar.
DEMO: Make Your Training Uncomfortable with AI Roleplays
Live demo of AI-powered roleplay scenarios for training. See how AI creates realistic, uncomfortable practice situations that build real skills.
Register April 7, 2026 • 2:00 PM ESTBuilding Confident Sellers with AI
How AI coaching & simulation tools are transforming sales training — from product knowledge to conversation confidence.
Register April 15, 2026 • 2:00 PM EST3 Ways Leaders Can Adapt to AI and Change
Practical strategies for leaders navigating AI-driven organizational change. Focus on adaptability, communication, & leading through uncertainty.
RegisterNewsletters Worth Reading
Signal, not noise. These are the newsletters that consistently deliver insights worth your time.
One Useful Thing
Ethan Mollick's essential newsletter on AI's impact on work & education. Practical, research-backed, & consistently ahead of the curve. The single best newsletter at the intersection of AI & learning.
Read his latest post. Pick one AI experiment he describes. Try it yourself within 24 hours. That's the whole point of this newsletter.
Dr. Philippa Hardman's Substack
Deep dives into AI-augmented learning design, the future of instructional design, & evidence-based approaches to AI in education. Her analysis of how AI changes the ADDIE model is essential.
Find her AI Stack framework post. Map your next project's tasks against it. Which AI tool fits each phase?
The Josh Bersin Company
Industry-level analysis of HR technology, corporate training trends, & the business case for AI in L&D. The most comprehensive source for understanding where the corporate learning market is headed.
Pull one stat from his latest report. Present it to your team without context. Watch the reactions. That's your opening for the AI conversation.
ATD Links
ATD's newsletter on professional development, training, & workplace learning. Broad coverage, solid editorial standards. Not flashy, but reliable.
SubscribeThe Educationalist
Dan Fitzpatrick's newsletter on AI in education & training. Practical tools, frameworks, & case studies for educators & trainers navigating the AI transition.
Pick one framework from his latest issue. Apply it to a training you're currently designing. Does it change anything?
Stanford HAI Newsletter
Stanford's Human-Centered AI Institute. Research & analysis on AI's societal impact, including workforce & education implications. Academic rigor that actually translates to practice.
SubscribePodcasts That Deliver
For your commute, your workout, or your deep thinking time. Each of these consistently produces episodes worth your attention.
The Learning & Development Podcast
David James interviews L&D leaders about what actually works in corporate training. Practical, no-nonsense. Consistently one of the best L&D podcasts running.
ListenFacilitating on Purpose
Beth Cougler Blom explores the art & science of facilitation with expert guests. Good for deepening your facilitation practice & thinking about AI's role.
ListenVoltage Control Podcast
Facilitation, innovation, & the future of work with leading practitioners. Strong focus on workshop design & group dynamics. The episodes on AI integration are particularly worth your time.
ListenThe AI in Business Podcast
Daniel Faggella on AI applications across industries, focused on practical implementation. Good for understanding how AI is actually being deployed in enterprises — not just how vendors say it is.
ListenHBR IdeaCast
HBR's flagship podcast. Regularly covers AI, workforce transformation, & leadership with world-class researchers & practitioners. The AI episodes are worth cherry-picking.
ListenBrave New Work
Aaron Dignan on the future of work, organizational design, & how teams adapt to rapid change. Essential context for understanding why AI adoption fails at the organizational level, not the technical one.
ListenCommunities & Professional Associations
Where the real conversations happen. These are the communities where practitioners share what's actually working (& what isn't).
ATD (Association for Talent Development)
The world's largest professional association for talent development. 35,000+ members. Conferences, certifications, research, & a massive community. Their annual conference is the industry's biggest gathering — & increasingly, the AI conversation is the main event.
Visit Professional AssociationIAF (International Association of Facilitators)
Global community of professional facilitators. Certifications (CPF), conferences, & a network of practitioners across 65+ countries.
Visit Professional AssociationCIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development)
The UK's professional body for HR and people development. Their research on AI in the workplace is among the most rigorous available.
Visit CommunityLearning Guild
Community for learning professionals focused on technology-enabled learning. Research reports, conferences, & online events. Their DevLearn conference is where the technical L&D crowd gathers.
Visit CommunityVoltage Control Community
Facilitators & innovation leaders sharing practices, tools, & experiences. Active Slack community with regular events. Good for the 'how do I actually do this?' conversations.
Visit Certification BodyINIFAC (International Institute for Facilitation)
Certification body for professional facilitators. Their Certified Master Facilitator (CMF) designation is one of the most respected in the field.
VisitFrameworks & Models
The mental models & frameworks that help you think about AI in learning & facilitation. Each one is a different lens on the same challenge.
ADDIE Model (AI-Augmented)
The classic instructional design framework, reimagined with AI integration at every phase. Analysis through AI data mining, Design with AI brainstorming, Development with generative AI, Implementation with AI support tools, & Evaluation with AI analytics.
Take your current project. For each ADDIE phase, list one task you're doing manually that AI could handle. Try automating just one this week.
NNGroup's Sandwich Model
Human input → AI processing → Human refinement. A simple but powerful framework for integrating AI into any creative or analytical workflow. Ensures human judgment bookends every AI interaction.
Apply the sandwich to your next content task: write a brief (human), generate with AI (machine), then edit ruthlessly (human). Compare the final output to what you'd have produced alone.
Liberating Structures
33 microstructures for group interaction that distribute participation. Pairs beautifully with AI — use AI for content generation, Liberating Structures for human engagement & sense-making.
Replace one PowerPoint section in your next workshop with a 1-2-4-All. Give the group an AI-generated provocation to react to. Watch what happens when humans process AI output together.
Bloom's Taxonomy (AI-Enhanced)
Use AI to handle lower-order tasks (remembering, understanding) so workshop time can focus on higher-order thinking (analyzing, evaluating, creating). The taxonomy becomes a guide for human-AI task allocation.
Audit your next training session. Tag each activity by Bloom's level. If more than 40% is 'remember' or 'understand,' that's the portion AI should be handling before the session even starts.
Essential Reading
The books that shape how the best facilitators & L&D professionals think about their craft in the age of AI.
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI
Ethan Mollick — The essential guide to partnering with AI in professional contexts. Based on extensive classroom experiments at Wharton.
Read Chapter 3. Then try his 'AI as intern' exercise with your next project. Give AI a task, review the output, iterate. Time how long the loop takes vs. doing it solo.
The Fearless Organization
Amy C. Edmondson — The definitive work on psychological safety. Now more relevant than ever as teams navigate AI-induced uncertainty.
Run Edmondson's 7-question psychological safety survey with your team. Don't share the results yet. Just notice where the scores cluster. That's your starting point.
The Art of Gathering
Priya Parker — A masterclass in creating meaningful group experiences. The principles apply directly to workshop design in any era.
Take your next meeting. Apply Parker's 'generous authority' principle: set one rule that makes people uncomfortable but serves the purpose. See what shifts.
AI for Learning
Donald Clark — A comprehensive guide to AI applications in learning & development. Covers the full landscape from adaptive learning to AI tutors.
BookTelling Ain't Training
Harold D. Stolovitch & Erica J. Keeps — The classic on active learning over passive delivery. The principles are even more important when AI handles content delivery.
BookThe Coaching Habit
Michael Bungay Stanier — Seven essential questions that transform conversations. The questioning skills are exactly what facilitators need in an AI world.
In your next three conversations, replace your first instinct to give advice with 'And what else?' Count how many times the other person solves their own problem.
How People Learn
Nick Shackleton-Jones — Challenges fundamental assumptions about training. His affective context model explains why most training fails & what to do instead.
Take your most popular training module. Ask: does it create an emotional response, or just transfer information? If it's the latter, Shackleton-Jones would say it's not actually learning.
Caffeinated Learning
Anne M. Beninghof — Rich, robust professional training design. Best practices for creating engaging, differentiated learning experiences.
BookThe AI Implementation Guide for L&D
Megan Torrance — Releasing June 2, 2026. The most practical framework for AI adoption in L&D, featuring the W.I.S.E. A.T. A.I. framework & the 'go-kart vs. Formula One' approach to scaling AI.
"This is a living document. It grows when we find something worth your time."
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