AI as an Operating System: From Order-Taking to People Enablement | L&D Disrupt | Episode 108

In this episode of L&D Disrupt, Kelsey from HowNow sits down with Jordana Cole, founder of Ignited, to explore why organisations may be approaching AI all wrong.Rather than positioning AI as a tool for efficiency or task replacement, Jordana argues that we should think of it as an operating system for people enablement, one that can amplify uniquely human strengths, support personalised growth and help people work in entirely new ways.They explore why L&D needs to move beyond linear, step-by-step AI training and focus instead on behaviour change, experimentation and learning in the flow of work. Jordana shares practical ways to help people build confidence with AI, from treating it as a collaborative partner to simply asking, “What questions do you have for me?”The conversation also challenges L&D to move beyond being an “order taker” and become a more strategic business partner — understanding the organisation, asking better questions, designing for outcomes and creating the conditions for people to experiment safely.From communities of practice and AI QA skills to improv, playfulness and uncovering the strengths people bring from outside work, Jordana shares a fresh perspective on what it takes to navigate change, and why the future of L&D might actually be people enablement and AI enablement.Why organisations are getting AI adoption wrong, how L&D can move from content and order-taking to strategic people enablement, and how to build the confidence, skills and conditions for people to experiment with AI. We also explore learning in the flow of work, communities of practice, AI quality and judgement, and the role of play and experimentation in navigating change.00:00 AI Efficiency Fears01:31 Meet Jordana & Her Journey03:44 AI as an Operating System08:22 Prompting & Working With AI09:54 From Content to Behaviour Change10:39 Making L&D More Strategic17:36 AI Quality, QA & Risk22:35 Building Communities of Practice27:32 Learning in the Flow of Work28:57 Improv, Play & Experimentation34:13 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption34:53 Pilots, Champions & Proving Value40:37 Unlocking Strengths Beyond Work45:39 The Future of People Enablement47:33 Stop Taking Orders50:05 Closing Thoughts