The Human Edge: L&D Skills AI Can Only Dream Of

Key Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate the importance of human-centered skills—such as curiosity, risk-taking, and emotional intelligence—in the evolving field of Learning and Development (L&D).

2. Differentiate between uniquely human strengths and the capabilities of artificial intelligence within L&D work.

3. Apply tools and strategies to confidently position themselves for the future of Learning and Development.

ATD Capability Model: 

Building Personal Capability (Emotional Intelligence and Decision Making) Developing Professional Capability (Career and Leadership Development)

About the Speakers: 

Annie Yukish, Senior Consultant at ThinkUp Consulting has a knack for making the impossible… possible. From developing cutting-edge programs and e-learning to researching learning technologies, Annie’s design skills and ability to see the big picture put anything within her reach. Take this Clemson University alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech & Communication and Master of Arts in Professional Communications—and add 15+ years of experience in the communications, public relations, and adult learning fields—and the result is Annie, a versatile learning expert. From building training programs that shift company culture, to equipping leaders with the tools they need to bring their vision to life, Annie adds value to everything she touches, including our community. Annie is a graduate of the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative, where her team launched a Leaders in Literacy initiative at a local school. A fervent list-maker who loves checking all the boxes, Annie is our go-to person when we want to get things done. Never afraid to ask “what if…,” Annie pushes us to think big and make the impossible a reality.

Rachel Smith, a Learning Specialist at ThinkUp Consulting, has a passion for learning and a dedication to helping others grow and expand their perspective makes Rachel a fantastic fit for her role as Think Up’s Learning Specialist. Our “exploration expert” describes herself as a perpetual student with a particular love of language and psychology. Rachel is an Instructional Designer with 10+ years of experience in designing course content, learning activities, training materials, and instructional videos for educational and corporate programs. Before jumping into the world of adult learning, Rachel spent some time teaching in the classroom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Furman University. Rachel’s unique background in both education and instructional design is a winning combination for developing creative, engaging, and impactful learning content for our clients. When not in the office, Rachel enjoys exploring local shops, wineries, and botanical gardens; and attending concerts and comedy shows. She also loves to travel and immerse herself in other languages and cultures and aspires to get her Ph.D. in sociolinguistics.

ThinkUp Consulting