Balancing Learning Science and AI Innovation with Laura Dermody of Boston Consulting Group
Laura Dermody, Ph.D., Director of Platform and Solutions of Boston Consulting Group, joins us to discuss the accelerating pace of change in L&D and how organizations must balance foundational learning science with emerging AI capabilities.
Drawing from her experience across K–12, higher education, ed tech and global consulting, Laura shares how workforce upskilling, AI literacy, personalization and data architecture are reshaping corporate learning. This episode reinforces that while tools evolve rapidly, human-centered design and critical thinking remain essential.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction.
11:10 Context matters in learning — content becomes valuable when it meets an immediate need.
12:15 AI may not be the most fundamental shift, but the pace of change in learning and design is exponential and overwhelming.
13:05 While tools evolve, foundational learning science and frameworks like backward design and Kirkpatrick remain relevant.
15:10 Organizations investing heavily in AI tools are not seeing ROI without workforce upskilling and human-centered implementation.
16:15 The half-life of skills is shrinking, reinforcing the need for continuous workforce development.
17:05 Personalized learning at the n-of-1 level is aspirational but requires strong data architecture and ethical data use.
19:10 The future of learning lies in embedding development into the flow of work rather than isolating it inside an LMS.
25:25 AI literacy is becoming essential across roles — understanding what AI can and cannot do is now foundational.
27:30 Critical thinking and liberal arts–based skills remain crucial in navigating rapid technological change.
Resources Mentioned:
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