Most of us are now familiar with AI in some form, whether that is asking a question, summarising information or using it to help draft a piece of work. But how much of its potential are we actually using?
That was the question explored during the inaugural workshop of SDF’s recently established AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG). SDF Chair Rossana Gent was joined by Katie Steen and David Weller from WorkSmart-AI, who facilitated a practical session exploring the possibilities of AI within Learning and Development in Higher Education.
An opening poll provided an interesting starting point: 83% of delegates had deliberately used AI at work that week. Yet, as the session progressed, it became clear that ‘using AI’ can mean very different things, and that there is considerably more to explore beyond the familiar chatbot and simple prompt.
From simple prompts to workflows
Katie and Dave introduced the six-level WorkSmart-AI Use Hierarchy, with the workshop exploring four levels: Conversational AI, Structured Prompting, Custom Configuration and Agents & Workflows.
To bring these to life, the session followed one relatable example: producing an evaluation report following a programme or course.
At its simplest, AI could summarise participant feedback and identify common themes. With more structured prompting, context and clear instructions, it could provide a more analytical and useful output. Taken further, previous reports, templates and other relevant information could be used to provide additional context and consistency.
The possibilities became particularly interesting when the session moved into agents and workflows. Using the same example, a workflow could recognise that new feedback had been uploaded, begin the process, draft the report and check it against agreed criteria before notifying a colleague that it was ready for review.
Seeing one task progress from a relatively simple prompt to a much more connected process was an eye-opening demonstration of just how much AI can potentially do.
Keeping the human in the loop
However, one of the strongest messages from the workshop was that greater AI capability does not mean removing people from the process.
AI might tell us that 40% of evaluation comments mention the pace of a session, but it cannot necessarily tell us why. Does the session need to be shortened? Would a different cohort structure work better? Or did one group simply have a difficult afternoon?
This distinction between identifying information and understanding its meaning is important.
In the evaluation example, AI could support the production of the report, but the recommendations were deliberately left for the individual to complete. AI could do some of the heavy lifting, while the expertise, context and judgement about what should happen next remained human.
A staff development challenge
The session also highlighted how differently people currently feel about AI. When delegates were asked how they were feeling, responses ranged from excited, curious and inspired to overwhelmed, apprehensive and cautious.
This raises an important point for Learning and Development. AI may be developing quickly, but people’s knowledge, confidence and experience will not necessarily develop at the same pace.
Katie and Dave described this as a staff development challenge, rather than simply a technology challenge. Providing access to AI tools is only one part of the picture. Supporting people to understand what is available, become confident using it and recognise where it can genuinely add value is equally important.
The workshop emphasised that there is no need for everyone to be at the same stage. Building confidence and becoming comfortable with AI at one level can be more valuable than rushing towards increasingly sophisticated uses before we are ready.
Continuing the conversation
The inaugural AI SIG workshop demonstrated both the possibilities of AI and the questions that come with them.
For some, the next step may simply be improving the way they prompt. For others, it may be exploring agents, workflows or how AI can support existing processes. Wherever we are starting from, the challenge is to make use of what AI can offer without losing the human expertise, creativity and judgement that remain essential.
As AI continues to develop, the new SDF AI SIG provides an opportunity for members to explore these questions together, share experiences and learn from the different stages we are all at.
About the author: Rossana Gent is a Global Learning Design Lead within a large global organisation and Chair of the Staff Development Forum (SDF), where she leads the organisation in fulfilling its commitment to supporting staff developers across the higher education sector. She led the organisation of the SDF’s first virtual Festival of Learning and Development during the pandemic and continues to serve as SDF Chair, currently chairing the inaugural Special Interest Group dedicated to AI.