What I Learned About Being an L&D Leader In the Age of AI

Over the past few episodes, I’ve gone down a lot of rabbit holes with Lori Niles-Hofmann, Laura Overton, Michelle Ockers, Dr. Ashwin Mehta, Nicki Finnigan, Hannah Frame, and Erica Farmer, trying to answer one big question: What does it mean to be an L&D leader in the age of AI?

In this wrap-up, I’m connecting the dots. While AI can absolutely accelerate your impact, it can just as easily derail it, depending on how you use it. Ultimately, it’s a powerful enabler, not a silver bullet. And that’s why using it well starts with clarity, focus, and a solid understanding of the real business problems you’re trying to solve.

I share what I’ve learned about aligning AI with your learning strategy, strengthening stakeholder influence, cleaning up your data, and keeping the human connection at the center of it all. Because leadership in the AI era isn’t about chasing tools, it’s about staying curious, intentional, and aligned with what matters most.

Some curious takeaways:

• AI accelerates solutions, but clarity keeps you on track
• L&D leadership thrives on human connection, not tech
• Curiosity and experimentation are key to adapting to AI

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Welcome to Harald’s Curious Corner

(01:42) What I learned from exploring AI with different L&D voices

(07:39) Why clarity, not speed, defines great AI leadership

(10:18) Curiosity, connection, and the courage to keep experimenting

(12:53) Wrapping up: Stay curious, focused, and aligned with business needs

A look back at this arc:

What’s the Role of L&D In the AI Era?: https://youtu.be/oerVSrkd108

How L&D Leaders Can Stay Human In the Age of AI: https://youtu.be/8VRiiisdKLA

Can L&D Keep Up With the Speed of AI?: https://youtu.be/Wg1y55MWKJQ

Leading Learning in the Age of AI: Three Practitioners’ Perspectives: https://youtu.be/FFlolIBqPb0

Connect with the guests:

Lori Niles-Hofmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinileshofmann/

Dr. Ashwin Mehta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ashwin-mehta/

Laura Overton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraoverton/

Michelle Ockers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleockers/

Nicki Finnigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickifinnigan/
Hannah Frame on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/framehannah/

Erica Farmer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericafarmer/

Follow me on the following sites:

Harald Overaa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haraldovera/

Subscribe to Harald’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6901795950403186688/