AI Meets L&D: Unlocking the Potential of Personalized Learning

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence and learning and development with Margie Meacham. Margie is the renowned author of AI in Talent Development, learning consultant, and a global expert in applying neuroscience and AI to transform education and performance.

Margie shares how AI is reshaping the learning landscape through personalized learning coaches, immersive simulations, and adaptive platforms. She also unpacks the ethical considerations and strategic opportunities L&D professionals must understand to leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking to enhance your learning programs with smarter, data-driven tools, this conversation is full of forward-thinking insights and actionable takeaways.

Transcript

Speakers:

• Maria Melfa – Host, TTA CEO
• Jocelyn Allen – Host, Talent Manager
• David – Producer/Moderator
• Margie Meacham – Guest, AI & Learning Expert

Maria:
Hello, Jocelyn.

Jocelyn:
Thank you for saying my name, Maria, because I am jamming out over here—I almost forgot where we were. How are you?

Maria:
Oh, good. How about yourself?

Jocelyn:
Hanging in there, my friend.

Maria:
Okay, so welcome, everyone, to another episode of Bring Out the Talent. Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of AI and learning and development with the amazing... Marchi... Marchi... Margie Mitchum.

Jocelyn:
It has a ring to it.

Maria:
You know what, Margie? I mess up names all the time. I actually thought, “Thank goodness I know how to say Margie Meacham.” And of course, I still screwed it up. Sorry, David. Let me try again—with the amazing Margie Meacham!

Jocelyn:
Welcome, Margie.

Margie:
Thank you both for having me. It’s really a pleasure to finally meet you, Maria. I’ve been a TTA consultant for a while, and you guys are truly top partners of mine. To any consultants listening—join this community. It’s a great way to showcase your skills and reach clients you wouldn’t find on your own.

I'm excited to talk about artificial intelligence and how we can use it wisely and safely—because it’s evolving so fast that we must stay up to date and offer our clients the full benefit of these tools.

Maria:
You’ve been a tremendous partner to TTA for over 14 years and have witnessed so much change in the L&D space. While some trends fade, AI is clearly here to stay. How do you see it fundamentally reshaping our field?

Margie:
You know, it's funny—I've also been working with AI for about 14 years. At first, no one was interested. But here’s what’s changing: our brains crave social interaction. That’s how we learn best. My first book, Brain Matters, dives into that. We’re wired to treat interactions—even with machines—as social. So when we engage with a chatbot, our brain responds as if we’re interacting with a person. That creates powerful opportunities in learning.

When done right, AI accelerates learning, creates consistent experiences, and scales like nothing else. Personalized practice, adaptive simulations, and realistic agents are possible now. But we also need to manage the risks—ethics, accuracy, bias—and be smart about implementation.

Jocelyn:
I definitely talk to ChatGPT like a person—please, thank you, “that was nice of you!” So I totally get what you’re saying.

Margie:
That’s important! In every ethics workshop I teach, I stress that we need to be responsible users too. If we’re kind and civil, the AI learns from that. And while it might not “feel” in a human sense, we benefit from treating it with respect. It mirrors our behavior back to us.

Maria:
That’s such an interesting perspective. But on the topic of implementation—what are some of the big challenges you see when organizations begin integrating AI into their learning strategies?

Margie:
One major challenge is that AI projects often start in IT or marketing—not L&D. So while a company may already have a working chatbot on its website, the training team doesn’t have access to that infrastructure. That creates silos and missed opportunities.

The second issue is fear. Some L&D professionals think, “If I learn AI, am I making myself replaceable?” But understanding AI actually makes you more valuable. You’ll be the person who can control it, guide it, and align it with your company’s values. Fear is natural, but knowledge is power.

Jocelyn:
You’ve talked with our team about personalized learning coaches. Can you walk us through what those are and how they work?

Margie:
Absolutely. The first one I built was before large language models existed. It was a custom-built bot for the United Nations that created learning plans based on LMS data. Back then, it took a year to build. Now, with tools like ChatGPT or Claude, you could do something similar in a week. These bots can check in with learners, make personalized suggestions, and guide progress.

The big difference now is the flexibility and natural language capability of LLMs. They can act more like agents—bots that take action—rather than just answer questions. But you still need to train and constrain them with the right data and boundaries.

Maria:
That’s a great point. But AI can hallucinate, right? How do we make sure we’re not spreading misinformation?

Margie:
Yes, hallucinations are real. That’s when AI gives a confident but incorrect answer. To manage that, you need guardrails—clear data sources, defined parameters, and frequent accuracy checks. It’s not about perfection. It’s about responsible use, validation, and knowing what your tool is doing.

Jocelyn:
What should an ethical framework for AI in L&D look like?

Margie:
The core principles are the same as any ethical framework: fairness, transparency, safety, and human-centered values. Address bias, ensure accuracy, and create consistent learner experiences. Most companies already have an ethics policy—just adapt it for AI. And bring together a cross-functional team to shape it: HR, IT, L&D, even marketing. We all have a role in shaping AI responsibly.

Maria:
Let’s talk adaptive learning systems. What role do they play in engagement?

Margie:
Huge role. Our brains love exploration. Too many LMSs are rigid—only showing content based on job role. Adaptive systems allow for curiosity, exploration, and career growth. Even legacy systems can benefit from a chatbot layer that invites learners to choose their path. That keeps people engaged and helps them develop in more meaningful ways.

Jocelyn:
So for leaders listening—what mindset or skillset helps them thrive in this AI-driven world?

Margie:
Curiosity. The best leaders are always asking, “What happens if…?” They’re risk-takers, experimenters. You don’t need to be a coder. You just need to start using AI, see what it does, and build your confidence. Ask questions. Get familiar. And yes, you can take classes, but the best way to learn is to start using the tools and exploring what they can do for you.

Maria:
That’s such a perfect setup, because now it’s time for…

[TTA 10 – Rapid Fire Segment]

David:
It’s the TTA 10—90 seconds on the clock. Margie, you ready?

Margie:
I am!

David:
Clock starts now.

Jocelyn:
Where do you go for peace and sanctuary at the end of the day?

Margie:
Walking my dog in the neighborhood.

Maria:
You’ve been hypnotized to mimic your favorite animal whenever someone says your name. Ready? Margie.

Margie:
[Animal impression]

Jocelyn:
What’s five minus two?

Margie:
Three.

Maria:
What’s a skill on your 2025 learning list?

Margie:
How to ride my electric bike without crashing.

Jocelyn:
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Margie:
I’m already there—Green Valley, Arizona.

Maria:
What’s a movie that always makes you laugh?

Margie:
[Movie title not captured—user can fill in.]

Jocelyn:
Favorite color?

Margie:
[Response needed.]

Maria:
If your life was a board game, which would it be?

Margie:
[Response needed.]

Jocelyn:
Who would you hire as a celebrity assistant?

Margie:
David Tennant. I loved him as the Tenth Doctor.

Maria:
If not a learning consultant, what would you be?

Margie:
A teacher—that’s how I started.

David:
Time! 1 minute, 29.57 seconds. That’s a wrap on the TTA 10!

Maria:
Okay Margie, before we go, we did a little something special for you. David?

[Closing Tribute and Wrap-Up]

David:
Margie, according to some research we’ve done, the first book you ever learned to read was...

Maria:
Do you remember?

Margie:
It was a Dr. Seuss book. Probably The Cat in the Hat.

David:
Well, with that in mind, we put together a little tribute just for you.

[Tribute Poem – Read aloud by David or Jocelyn]

In a school far away, on a desk in a chair,
 Sat young Margie Meacham with a puzzled, lost stare.
 She scribbled, she wobbled, she mixed up her letters,
 Her teachers all frowned, said, “She must do much better.”But Margie was bright—oh yes, this was true,
 She just needed a way to see learning anew.
 Her sister read stories, Dr. Seuss by the pile,
 And soon Margie’s frown turned into a smile.She read and she learned, she studied so grand,
 With notebooks and notes always close at hand.
 Through high school and college, she worked oh so clever,
 Graduating with honors—her struggle? Not ever.Then off to a job—what a surprise,
 She typed like the wind before bosses’ wide eyes.
 She sold and she trained, made knowledge take flight,
 And taught with such passion—her future looked bright.From sales to tech, from books to AI,
 She followed her path, up, up to the sky.
 She spoke and she taught, she wrote and designed,
 Blending science with learning in ways most refined.She built brainy bots to help learners succeed,
 With AI and neurons, she planted a seed.
 For training and coaching, for skills big and small,
 Her bots and her books help learners stand tall.So if ever you wonder what path you should take,
 Just look at dear Margie and the steps she did make.
 She learned and she leaped, she stumbled, she soared,
 And now helps the world with knowledge adored.So go chase your calling, be bold and explore—
 For learning’s an adventure with always much more.

Maria:
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Margie, for sharing your insight, your stories, and your passion with us today.

Jocelyn:
And for everyone listening, if you want to learn more about how AI can support your learning and development goals, visit us at thetrainingassociates.com.

David:
Until next time—keep learning, keep exploring, and bring out the talent.