For decades, careers have required adaptability. As the renowned author Jane Bozarth notes in her eBook, L&D Practitioners in an AI-Powered World, just as she navigated the job market with an English degree, L&D professionals today must now confront and adapt to the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The central question facing every practitioner has shifted: it is no longer if AI will impact your job, but how you will strategically respond. While one “head” of the AI “two-headed monster” promises vast improvements, the other brings genuine fear of displacement. This eBook explores the possibilities, drawing on the wisdom of those who have successfully made significant career shifts, proving that the solution lies in proactive planning, not paralyzing fear.
Careers Have Always Evolved
The foundation of this strategic approach is recognizing that the concept of “static” work is an illusion. Before AI, technology advanced, interests changed, and careers evolved naturally. The L&D professionals profiled in the eBook (Cammy Bean, Perrin Rowland, Trish Uhl, and Kevin Thorn) all underscore this point: their work was never fixed. They made shifts to take deeper dives into current work, expand their boundaries, or become pioneers in emerging technologies.
Their stories offer a powerful lesson: adaptability is the core skill, and the current disruption simply makes continuous evolution mandatory.
The path forward involves exploring three distinct categories of career pivoting, allowing practitioners to leverage their existing expertise while building new, AI-proof value.
1. L&D-Adjacent Roles
These roles utilize core instructional design and training skills but apply them in new organizational contexts, often with a greater emphasis on business strategy or technology systems.
Examples: Change Management Specialist, Product Manager/Sales Specialist, People Analytics Specialist
2. AI-Related Roles
These roles integrate your L&D background directly with AI technology, focusing on human-AI collaboration and learning system design.
Examples: Learning Architect / Instructional Design Strategist, Experience Designer, AI-Enabled Coach/Mentor
3. Dedicated AI Jobs and New Paths
For those ready to fully embrace the technology, or follow an unrelated passion, these positions offer a complete pivot.
Examples: AI Product Manager, AI Prompt Engineer, AI Workflow Designer
Conclusion: Finding the Higher Ground
Ultimately, the future of the L&D practitioner is not about replacement, but reimagination. Don’t wait for disruption to choose your next move. Get the detailed roadmap, real-world case studies, and concrete action steps you need to define your high-value, resilient role in the AI-powered world. Click here to download the free eBook: L&D Practitioners in an AI-Powered World.
