Artificial intelligence has changed the way I work as an instructional designer, and maybe it’s changed how you work too. For a long time, we saw AI as just a fancier search engine. But lately? It feels more like an extra set of hands—a smart, intuitive, always-available coworker. Or honestly, like a best friend who’s also a bit of a therapist. I’ve leaned on AI to help me draft copy, untangle code, offer design feedback, and even sort through the more human challenges that come up when you’re trying to support learners or lead a project.
But even as I use it, I keep circling back to a question that was drilled into me back when I first started working with new technology: What does it give us? And what does it take away?
It reminds me of my late husband. He never trusted GPS. We always had paper maps in the car, and he made sure our sons learned how to read them. He didn’t want them to become so reliant on a machine that they forgot how to find their way. And while I understood his point, I’m the kind of person who could get lost in my own neighborhood. GPS has saved me more times than I can count. It gave me confidence, it saved me time, and it helped me enjoy the ride a little more. Still, I know he was onto something. When we lean too heavily on technology, we sometimes lose skills we didn’t even realize we were using.
That brings me back to instructional design. These days, instructional designers are using AI to do everything from writing learning objectives and drafting storyboards to creating quizzes and videos. Some are using it to generate adaptive learning paths or build chatbots that answer learner questions 24/7. I recently read about a professor who created an entire course in a day using ChatGPT—assignments, examples, assessments, all tailored to Bloom’s taxonomy. And the kicker? It passed originality checks with flying colors.
But even with all these amazing possibilities, there’s an ethical line we have to watch. Is it plagiarism to use AI to draft content? Or is it just a smart way to work efficiently? I think it comes down to transparency, intent, and editing. When I use AI, I see it as a brainstorming partner. I never take what it gives me at face value. I rewrite. I reframe. I make sure it reflects my voice and the needs of my learners.
There are some helpful frameworks out there too. One called ARCHED breaks down the design process into stages where AI can assist, like writing objectives or developing assessments, while making sure a human is always steering the ship. Another, GAIDE, emphasizes using AI alongside pedagogical frameworks like TPACK to make sure we’re not just using tech because we can, but because it makes the learning better.
Still, even with frameworks and ethics policies in place, there’s no substitute for human judgment. I’ve seen AI generate beautiful-looking quizzes that totally missed the point of the lesson. I’ve also seen it offer feedback that lacked the kind of empathy a learner might need. AI can do a lot, but it can’t understand the lived experience of a student who’s struggling to learn while caring for a child or working two jobs. It doesn’t know what it’s like to teach resilience after your world has been turned upside down.
So here’s where I land: AI is a fantastic tool. It can help us work faster and spark new ideas. But like GPS, it shouldn’t replace our own sense of direction. We still need to check the map, think critically, and trust our instincts. I use AI the way I use GPS—to get where I’m going faster, sure, but also to free up my brain so I can focus on the things that matter most.
If you’re an instructional designer wondering how far to go with AI, here are a few questions I ask myself regularly:
- Am I using AI to save time or avoid thinking?
- Is this tool helping me connect more deeply with my learners?
- Could I explain to a colleague exactly how this AI-generated content supports the learning outcomes?
- Have I added a human touch?
And finally, the big one:
- What am I gaining—and what might I be losing?
I’d love to hear how you’re using AI in your work. Have you found your balance? Are there boundaries you’ve drawn for yourself or your team? Let’s figure it out together—maps, GPS, and all.
Like a GPS helping me find the best route, AI supported the drafting of this piece—but every turn and word choice was reviewed and guided by my own hands.