Soft skills are now seen as core business capabilities - or as we increasingly call them, Power Skills. But how do we teach things like empathy, listening and coaching at scale, in ways that feel human and impactful?
In this session, we’ll explore how AI can support the development of very human skills through Storyline-based modules that embed AI to simulate leadership conversations. You’ll see what’s possible when learning design meets AI, and hear how learners are responding in practice.
We’ll anchor this case study in both research and experience; from Dr. Bhavana Arora’s insights into the importance of Power Skills, to the recent “AI in L&D 2025: The Race for Impact” report by Egle Vinuskaite and Donald H Taylor. It’s clear the opportunity isn’t just to use AI, it’s to use it well.
This session focuses on the why and the real-world benefits of integrating AI into learning design, with a light touch on the how.
Competency Framework: Adult Learning Principles; Learning and Development Practice; Instructional Design; E-learning
Session Theme and Target Audience: Future ways of working
Speaker: Joanna Smith
Joanna Smith is the Managing Director of Pukeko Learning Solutions, a Learning and Development agency serving clients across New Zealand and Australia. She has an MA in Linguistics and began her career as an English teacher and language teacher trainer before transitioning to corporate training in 2012. Joanna initially worked as an in-house Training Manager before founding her own business. She and her team enjoy supporting a diverse range of clients, and they love exploring new ways to be efficient, including using AI wherever appropriate. Joanna is the immediate past president of the New Zealand Association for Training and Development.
Event Access: The link to access this event can be found in the Additional Information section of the Registration Confirmation and Reminder emails. If you do not receive these emails, please check your spam or junk folders. You will be able to log in from 6:45pm, ready for the webinar to begin at 7pm.
Host: Upper North Island
Event eligibility: This event is open to NZATD members, affiliates and non-members.
Registering for this event:
- Prices exclude GST.
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- Affiliates: (HRNZ, AITD, CDANZ, FLANZ, ICF, NZOQ, PSANZ, TechCommNZ) can attend at member rates. When registering, follow the non-member registration process and use the 'Online Affiliate' promo code to access the member rate. Contact your affiliate administrator for this code.
Cancellations and Attendance:
- Please give 48 hours notice of cancellation.
- Once registered, you will be expected to pay regardless of attendance.
- Substitutions permitted if transferred to someone holding the same
- ticket type e.g. member. Non-members are not permitted to attend in place of a member.
