If you’re not using AI yet, it could hold back your career. But if you’re using it without question? That’s a serious business risk.
Welcome to the paradox we’re all navigating.
In this episode of L&D Disrupt, Nelson Sivalingam sits down with Lisa Bodell (CEO of FutureThink, bestselling author, and globally recognised futurist) to explore how L&D can empower people to manage AI like they manage humans: with prompts, feedback, and good judgement.
“I’m addicted to AI. Literally,” Lisa admits. “I use it for everything. And I think if you're not using it, that's such a clear career-limiting move. How are you not doing it?”
She’s not alone. AI is already changing how we work, from drafting emails and reports to analysing learning data. But here’s the kicker—it’s not the magic wand many hoped it would be. It still needs you. Your judgment, your context, your ability to think critically.
“It helps me frame my thinking quickly,” she says, “but it can’t replace my writing yet because it lacks nuance.”
Let’s talk about your people. The real magic of AI? It frees them up. Automate the admin, cut the faff, and let people focus on the human stuff: coaching, creativity, conversations.
“In the age of AI, human skills have never been more important,” Lisa points out. “I better have a team that’s good at curiosity, critical thinking, and testing what AI tells me; not just taking it at face value.”
So, if your upskilling plan is still focused on tool training and box-ticking, it might be time for a rethink.
This one’s gold. AI isn't just another tool - it’s like a junior teammate. And just like people, it needs clarity, context and good feedback to deliver its best work.
“If you’re a good manager of people, you’ll be a good manager of AI agents,” Lisa shares. “Both need clarity, expectations, and the right context to execute.”
Leaders need to shift from process-reliant to people-first and now, AI-first too.
One of the most underrated uses of AI? Helping leaders become more emotionally intelligent.
Lisa gives the example: “Let’s say I’m pitching or giving feedback. Bill is very sensitive, but Jane isn’t. AI can coach me on how to tailor my approach to each of them when I’m time-strapped as a leader.”
AI is helping us lead better, faster but it still needs that human lens to land right.
AI is a co-pilot. A powerful one. But it’s not going to fly the plane for you.
“I don’t want AI to replace me. There are certain things it shouldn’t,” Lisa says. “But I want it to help me think more critically.”
The future of L&D isn’t about learning how to use AI; it’s about learning how to work with it. And helping your people do the same.
Want to catch the full episode?
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