Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often seen as the antithesis of creativity. Some say that relying on AI tools can lead to templated, generic designs and a lack of human ingenuity. However, when used thoughtfully, AI can be a powerful ally in fostering creativity rather than hampering it—especially in eLearning. Here are five ways to harness AI to bring innovation and originality to your eLearning programs.
-
Generate new content ideas
Creativity often starts with inspiration, and AI can be used to spark ideas. Tools like ChatGPT or other AI-driven platforms can help instructional designers generate new ideas for eLearning modules. For example, if you’re developing a compliance course, an AI tool can suggest engaging scenarios or thought-provoking questions to keep learners invested.
By using AI to explore a wide range of perspectives, designers can break out of creative ruts and consider new angles they might not have thought of. However, the key is to refine and adapt AI-generated ideas to suit the learners’ needs and the organisation’s goals. While the ideas AI has generated might not be exactly what you’re after, they could provide the springboard to further more suitable and interesting thoughts. Use it to give you options and get the ideas flowing, rather than just adopting its suggestions.
-
Personalise learning experiences
AI needs data, and one of its most creative applications is personalisation. By analysing learner behaviours, AI can recommend customised learning paths, suggest supplementary resources, or adjust the content delivery based on individual preferences. This level of tailoring allows instructional designers to craft experiences that feel more personal and engaging—without spending hours on manual customisation.
AI-powered systems can identify if a learner is struggling with a particular concept and can dynamically insert a creative explainer video or interactive exercise to address the issue. This keeps the learning experience dynamic and relevant, ultimately fostering creativity in how challenges are tackled.
-
Enhance visual storytelling
Creating visually appealing eLearning content often requires a balance of time, skill, and budget. AI tools like Canva’s AI design suggestions or Adobe Firefly can develop creative visual elements that resonate with learners. For example, AI can generate unique infographics, suggest engaging colour schemes, or even create illustrations tailored to your content.
Rather than replacing the designer’s role, these tools can be used as co-creators, enabling professionals to iterate faster and focus on refining the overall story, resulting in a more compelling and cohesive visual narrative that captures learners’ attention.
-
Streamline eLearning development with AI-powered authoring tools
AI is revolutionising eLearning development by enhancing the capabilities of authoring tools like Articulate 360. Articulate’s AI-assisted features help course developers build engaging content faster without sacrificing creativity.
For example, Articulate Rise uses AI-powered automation to format content quickly, allowing designers to focus on interactivity and storytelling rather than manual adjustments. AI-driven text-to-speech features can also create professional-sounding voiceovers in seconds, removing the need for external recording. Additionally, smart automation helps with branching scenarios, ensuring smoother and more intuitive learner journeys.
By leveraging these AI-powered features, instructional designers can accelerate development while maintaining high levels of creativity and engagement.
-
Automate and improve interactive assessments
Assessments play a crucial role in eLearning, but manually creating quizzes and interactive exercises can be time-consuming. AI can assist in designing more creative and dynamic assessments that go beyond traditional multiple-choice questions.
For example, AI can:
- Generate scenario-based questions that adapt based on a learner’s responses.
- Suggest interactive simulations or branching scenarios that test real-world application.
- Provide AI-driven feedback that helps learners understand mistakes in a more meaningful way.
- Using AI, instructional designers can experiment with new ways to assess knowledge retention, making assessments more engaging, adaptive, and aligned with real-world skills.
A balancing act: AI and human creativity
The true power of AI lies in its ability to amplify human creativity rather than replace it. In eLearning, this means leveraging AI to handle routine tasks, spark new ideas, and provide actionable insights, while instructional designers focus on crafting meaningful, engaging, and innovative learning experiences.
To ensure AI enhances creativity rather than stifles it, always keep the learner at the centre of your design process and use AI as a tool to support your vision, not dictate it. By striking this balance, AI can become a valuable partner in delivering eLearning programs that are as imaginative as they are effective.
