This highlight video is from November 13, 2025 session ✨ AI Practical Lab: Smarter Skill Pathways, Driven by the World's Largest Business Library

This interactive video discussion offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how getAbstract’s AI-powered Studio can turn a messy, high-volume challenge into a clear, scalable learning pathway — in minutes, not months. SunSource’s reality says it all: 150+ new sales associates a year, two people on the L&D team, and no room for bloated onboarding.

Using that live challenge, the group co-designed what an AI-enabled onboarding model actually looks like when you strip out the noise: skill-based, role-relevant, lightweight, and built to scale without burning out the team.

AI can map skills, curate from a 27,000-resource library, and draft structured pathways at a speed no human team can match. But the moment that insight landed, Nicole DeFalco reframed the conversation:

“Learning sticks when content turns into conversation, application, and reflection.”

That became the anchor: AI accelerates the inputs, but people create the capability.

And Denis brought the other half of the equation into focus:

“AI should amplify what’s credible—pairing trusted, curated content with pathways that directly support business skills.” — Denis Sternberg, getAbstract

Translation: AI is only as good as the foundation it’s built on. Leaders aren’t looking for more content — they’re looking for trustworthy content matched to real work.

Across the discussion, six themes stood out:

• AI is shifting L&D capacity from building to orchestrating. Teams can finally focus on the human parts of learning that matter.

• Skill-based pathways outperform content dumps. Precision wins over volume.

• Cohort learning fuels belonging and readiness. Even the best AI can’t replace connection.

• AI role-play solves the practice gap. Unlimited, judgment-free reps beat waiting for a manager’s calendar.

• Microlearning works when it’s contextual. The asset isn’t the magic — the application is.

• Reinforcement cycles (Know → Discuss → Do → Reflect) create momentum. Programs without follow-through simply don’t move behavior.

And the most actionable moves leaders can take now:

• Use AI to produce rapid first drafts of pathways and programs — then refine with your team’s expertise.

• Redesign onboarding around the handful of skills that truly drive early performance.

• Build structured cohorts and buddy systems to strengthen culture and support.

• Integrate AI role-play agents for customer scenarios, coaching practice, and sales fluency.

• Tie every microlearning asset to a real scenario or decision point.

• Schedule reinforcement touchpoints from day one — not as a “maybe later.”

This lab underscored a simple truth:
AI can accelerate every part of the learning engine — but only human-centered design makes the engine worth running.

For ELE members, the opportunity is clear: combine AI-enabled scale with thoughtful, talent-first design to build smarter, faster, more measurable development pathways.