How Learning and Development Can Support Connection

 We can do so much more than just produce content. While AI is beginning to take on traditional instructional design tasks, workers are reporting increased isolation and disconnection, and organizations are questioning their investments in educational technology. Taken together, these signals point to a clear opportunity for L&D to strengthen meaningful learner-to-learner interaction. This requires breaking out of the narrow role of course creator/facilitator and looking for broader ways to add value — by designing broader experiences that connect people, support shared problem-solving, and help learning translate into real capability at work. 

AI-assisted continuous learning alone is insufficient for remote workers to truly thrive. Our research suggests that a holistic approach is necessary. To achieve a state of thriving at work, remote workers must not only effectively utilize AI for learning purposes but also maintain robust relationships with their peers.” (Yu, L., Zhu, X., & Ren, H. (2025). Navigating the digital frontier: thriving in remote work through AI and human connection. Journal of Business and Management, 30(1), p. 6.)