Unit 1: Instructional Design Topic - AI
Artificial Intelligence in Instructional Design
I will discuss the usage of AI in instructional/learning design.
Overview of AI in ID
While the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is not a new concept, its recent evlution offers sophisticated new components that significantly enhance the instructional design process. AI now serves as a powerful catalyst for improving student experiences by assisting with spelling/grammar, improved writing, and tutoring. As for AI in instructional (learning) design, it can help with generating dynamic course content and provide various methods for increasing student engagement through immersive gamification and simulations.
Additional Resources
Two additional resources that I enjoyed reading and learning from were:
-
Articulates article on ‘How AI is Transforming Instructional Design’
-
University of San Diego’s Learning Design and Technology department’s article on ‘How Can AI Be Applied in Instructional Design? Use Cases, Best Tools and More’
Implications of AI in ID
Beyond the technical applications, as previously mentioned, AI can act as a ‘creative partner’ by assisting with feedback and brainstorming innovative assessment types and course structures.
​
However, these advancements must be balanced because AI poses critical ethical issues, including data privacy and security concerns (Cooper, 2025). AI is constantly evolving and because it is technology programmed by humans, it carries inherent risks of bias and outdated information; because of its limited ability to fully replicate human creativity, complex thought processing, and emotional intelligence (USD LDT Faculty, 2025), it is best used as a tool for instructional designers and not the primary source when developing courses, content, and programs.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
Limitations
Creative Partner
AI can be used as a tool to generate ideas on how to best engage learners and help with the development of said tasks.
Efficiency
AI can make the content creation and outlining of course development processes much easier and quicker.
Ethical Concerns
AI comes with concerns of data privacy, security issues, and how the usage of the tool can harm environments and residents.
Bias
Because AI is human programmed, it inherently comes with biases.
References
Cooper, J. (2025, September 12). How AI is Transforming Instructional Design. Articulate. https://www.articulate.com/blog/how-ai-is-transforming-instructional-design/
​
Gibson, R. (2023, August 14). 10 Ways Artificial Intelligence I s Transforming Instructional Design. Er.educause.edu. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2023/8/10-ways-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-instructional-design
​
Kereselidze, M. (2023, August 17). The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Instructional Design. ELearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-instructional-design
​
USD LDT Faculty. (2025, February 12). AI in Instructional Design: Use Cases, Best Tools & More. University of San Diego Online Degrees. https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/ai-instructional-design/