L&D implications from The Cybernetic Teammate Study: Design for Hybrid Human-AI Teams

There’s this study last summer with 776 Procter & Gamble professionals. It explored what happens when AI becomes a collaborative teammate, not just a tool.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬

• Individuals using AI performed as well as two-person human teams.

• Teams that integrated AI outperformed everyone else.

• AI helped disappear functional silos in how people approached problems.

• Surprising: People felt better when collaborating with AI.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬?

1. AI as a collaborative design partner
   Co-create LXs where AI helps shape flow, format, and feedback. Instead of AI as a content generator, think: AI as a co-designer that contributes to ideation, problem-solving, and iteration.
   
   Implication. We’re now managing mixed human-AI design sprints and not just human SMEs anymore.
   

2. Design for AI-augmented teams
   The best results came from blended teams where design experiences and workflows assumed AI is in the room.
   
   Implication. Intentionally design L&D teams to include AI in key project phases (i.e., analysis, design, prototyping, etc.) More than “how do I use ChatGPT?” Think: “where does it belong in my process flow?”
   

3. Fill skill gaps with AI
   AI helped participants blend the gap between functional silos. When specialists worked together and with AI, they produced solutions that integrated both technical and non-technical perspectives. The functional silos between specialists virtually disappeared.
   
   Implication. Use AI to elevate generalists into specialists. Think: AI as your SME shadow or brainstorm buddy.
   

4. AI as a mood modifier?
   Teams using AI felt better. In L&D that translates to engagement.
   
   Implication. AI helps not just with productivity, but as a morale booster. (That matters when our teams are juggling umpteen priorities and managing scope creep.)
   

5. Consider AI-Inclusive learning ecosystems
   As Learning Architects, we shape learning ecosystems. This study suggests going beyond LMSs and authoring tools in favor of building AI-inclusive ecosystems that adapt to learners.
   
   Implication. Don’t just plug AI into our learning tech stack, reimagine it.

In 2025 and beyond, our role as Learning Architects is shifting. We’re designing for hybrid human-AI teams and not just for individual learners.