Power skills such as empathy, listening and coaching are now essential business capabilities. The challenge is how to develop them at scale in ways that feel human, practical and engaging.
In this session, we bring together the strategy and the hands-on build.
We’ll start by exploring why AI is becoming such a powerful tool in learning design, drawing on current research and real-world case studies. You’ll see how organisations are using AI to support the development of human skills through simulated conversations, and how learners are responding in practice.
From there, we move into the how.
You’ll see a step-by-step walkthrough of how to build AI-powered learning simulations in Articulate Storyline using ChatGPT. We’ll demonstrate how to create dynamic, scenario-based conversations where learners can practise real-world situations such as coaching, giving feedback and handling difficult conversations, with personalised, context-aware responses. No coding experience required.
We’ll also share what we’ve learned along the way, including what worked, what didn’t, and how this approach can transform traditional eLearning into a more agile and impactful capability-building tool.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear view of both the opportunity and the practical steps to start creating your own AI-enabled learning experiences.
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.
Speaker: Cain Prentice
Cain Prentice partners with organisations to unlock performance through learning that actually works. With diverse international experience spanning finance, government, not-for-profit and corporate sectors, Cain has seen more than his fair share of dull, box-ticking training programs- and he dislikes them just as much as your employees do. His mission is simple: to turn organisational training from a chore into an engaging experience for learners that impacts performance.
At Pukeko Learning Solutions, Cain collaborates with companies across Australia and New Zealand to diagnose performance challenges and design bespoke training that resonates. His approach blends rigorous analysis with storytelling, creativity, and scenario-based learning, making the content engaging, memorable and practical. Whether leveraging AI for personalisation or using creative reinforcement strategies, Cain ensures training is not only completed, but remembered- and applied.
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.
- Members can register for this event by logging in using their member login details.
- 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.
