Mike Vaughan, CEO of The Regis Company and Editor-in-Chief of The Thinking Effect, shares bold insights on the future of L&D in an AI-powered world. From accelerating course development to validating real-world skills, Mike unpacks what it takes to stay ahead. He emphasizes the need for L&D leaders to move beyond passive learning and adopt smarter, more human-centered strategies.

If you're rethinking how to drive relevance, speed, and quality in your learning programs—this one's for you. Tune in for insights and connect with Mike on LinkedIn and at theregiscompany.com.

Show Notes:

[0:27] Introducing Mike Vaughan

Mike Vaughan is the Editor-in-Chief of The Thinking Effect, a platform focused on AI’s impact on upskilling and reskilling, and CEO of The Regis Company, which develops AI-driven technologies for skills practice, learning, and validation.

[1:10] The Future of Workforce Learning
Mike discusses the shift towards personalized learning, focusing on skills validation and data-driven decision-making. Organizations investing in data strategies will better understand how to allocate resources, upskill, and reskill employees more effectively. Skills validation powered by data will grow in importance.

[2:32] The Evolution of Learning Technologies

Mike predicts that AI will replace knowledge-based learning tools like eLearning and knowledge management, leading L&D professionals to focus on developing higher-order skills such as decision-making and problem-solving. Future learning will emphasize simulations and skills practice, where learners get immediate feedback.

[03:53] The Need for Skills Validation in L&D

Mike stresses that businesses will demand proof of employees' skills in action, pushing L&D to provide better data-driven insights. Traditional metrics fall short, but evolving learning technologies can address this gap by integrating talent management and skills validation systems for a more comprehensive view.

[5:37] Navigating AI Trends and Pitfalls

Mike highlights the opportunity and challenge that AI presents for L&D. With an overwhelming influx of tools, he warns that waiting too long to adopt AI may leave companies unprepared. Leaders must leverage AI for task automation, enhancing learner engagement, and improving talent selection and skills validation.

[7:28] Strategic AI Adoption

Mike urges L&D professionals to proactively integrate AI into their processes, using it to automate tasks, speed up course development, and enhance learning experiences. The goal should be efficiency and engagement, not just more content.

[8:10] Quality Over Speed

Mike warns against rushing AI-driven training without improving quality, as there’s already too much low-quality content. Continuing this trend could render some L&D roles obsolete.

[9:00] Prioritizing Speed and Relevance

Mike emphasizes that L&D must respond faster to business needs, with a focus on efficiency without sacrificing quality. AI can streamline processes, but high-impact learning aligned with business goals remains the priority.

[10:15] How to Connect with Mike Vaughan

Mike Vaughan is with The Regis Company, which focuses on AI-driven, human-centered learning solutions. He invites those interested in upskilling, reskilling, and the future of AI in L&D to explore The Thinking Effect, which is launching soon.