The Ethics Layer: Designing AI-Driven Learning with Integrity

Innovation without ethics is a risk multiplier

 AI is transforming how we build and deliver learning, but without guardrails, it can amplify the very inequities we aim to dismantle. I’ve developed training modules that delve into hallucination, misinformation, and bias, not in theory, but in real-world enterprise use cases. When ChatGPT generates “plausible but false” answers, how do we help learners validate? When adaptive tools reinforce biased patterns, how do we design for inclusion?

Instructional designers are now ethicists

 I no longer treat responsible AI as a bonus topic. It’s a design pillar. I embed bias mitigation frameworks directly into learning content and scenario-based practice. I partner with SMEs to align ethical awareness with workflow reality. One project included role-based choices with immediate feedback; learners had to spot hallucinations and correct the course. The result? Stronger decision-making, not just faster automation.

Takeaway

 Responsible AI training isn’t just about content; it’s about intent, clarity, and accountability.

Discussion Prompt

Where have you seen AI's risks surface in learning, and how did your team address them?

Posted to LinkedIn

The LMS Isn’t the Strategy

Why platforms are tools, not solutions

Don’t confuse infrastructure with impact

I’ve led LMS migrations for institutions and built learning ecosystems from scratch for startups. In every case, the temptation was the same: expect the platform to “solve” engagement or scale. However, technology alone can’t fix what is missing in strategy. A great LMS amplifies a great plan, it doesn’t replace one, nor does it prop up a bad one. I’ve seen beautiful dashboards with zero uptake and basic systems with off-the-charts learner impact. The difference? Clear purpose and design thinking.

Start with the learner, not the platform

Effective learning ecosystems begin with mapping the journey: what learners need to know, feel, and do. Then we design the experience. Only then should we pick the tools. When we flip that order, we build backwards. I once consulted on a rollout where the LMS was locked before content existed. It added six months to the timeline and forced the team to retrofit ideas. Strategy should lead; platforms should follow.

Don't design for the tool. Design and find the right tool for the job.

Takeaway

Technology should support your learning vision, not dictate it.

Discussion Prompt

When has a platform helped, or hurt, the impact of your learning program?

Posted to LinkedIn

What I’ve Learned Building 100+ Programs

Takeaways for scaling learning that sticks 

Designing at scale takes more than tools

After 25+ years and over 100 digital programs, I’ve learned that strategy, empathy, and iteration consistently outperform trend-chasing. Whether it’s onboarding, compliance, or leadership training, real impact comes from getting the basics right, and adapting them relentlessly.

Here’s what I carry forward

• Start with the learner’s reality, not the stakeholder’s wishlist.
• Define success before you pick the platform.
• Inclusive design isn’t optional; it’s strategic.
• Don’t just deliver content, engineer performance.
• Treat data as dialogue, not just validation.
• Build feedback into the process, not just the postmortem.
• Invite learning teams into business strategy early and often.

These ideas aren’t flashy. But there’s a difference between programs that look good and ones that work. I’m continually refining, always learning, and always ready to collaborate with teams that share the same values.

Takeaway

Learning that scales starts small: with clarity, care, and conversations that matter.

Discussion Prompt

Which of these lessons have you seen make (or miss) the biggest difference?

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The Designer Is the Strategist: Rethinking what “instructional designer” means in 2026

Designers aren’t order-takers anymore

In too many organizations, instructional designers are still brought in after the strategy is set. “Make it look nice.” “Turn this into a course.” But the most impactful work I’ve done happened when I was involved early, shaping goals, surfacing risks, and mapping user journeys. Instructional design is strategic work. We aren’t just building courses. We’re building performance systems.

We speak both languages

Designers translate business needs into learner experiences. That means understanding KPIs and adult learning, brand voice and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), AI tools, and team dynamics. When I’ve helped shift a program from slides to systems thinking, it wasn’t about prettier graphics. It was about identifying bottlenecks, shaping behavior, and showing measurable value. And that shift earned a seat at the strategy table.

Takeaway

Instructional designers don’t just execute vision; we need to help define it.

Discussion Prompt

How early are designers invited into strategic conversations where you work?

Posted to LinkedIn