"Podcast Summary: Making Learning Systems Work Smarter With AI with John Constantine"
The Accidental Start That Changed Everything
Like many in the learning and development (L&D) field, John Constantine didn’t grow up dreaming of designing training programs or improving talent strategies. His career began in pharmaceutical sales, carrying a bag and chasing quotas. But a detour into an internal training assignment that was required for a move into management completely changed his trajectory. That temporary role in L&D turned into a career-long passion.
John ended up staying in training far longer than planned and ultimately found his sweet spot in leading brand training and later, broader enterprise L&D across HR, R&D, IT, and more. Over time, he became the go-to guy for solving complex training and performance problems in highly regulated industries. John now focuses on helping L&D teams build strategies, solutions, and meaningful metrics, things most teams are missing.
From Veterinary Clinics to Learning Strategy
When asked about the biggest change in recent years, Chantelle didn’t hesitate: artificial intelligence. Although her current role in the defense sector limits its use due to heavy regulations, she has seen its potential firsthand in prior roles. At BAE, tools based on large language models are already being tested behind the scenes, not in formal learning yet, but in ways that make learning design more efficient. That said, she doesn’t believe the future of L&D is purely technological.
“I think the way we think about learning inside organizations is shifting,” she explained. “It’s not always about training courses. It’s about how we deliver information to people in the moment they need it, without always calling it ‘learning.’”
Chantelle sees the lines between learning, marketing, and change management blurring and thinks that’s a good thing. She argues that the more L&D professionals embrace multidisciplinary thinking, the more relevant and effective their strategies will be.
Rethinking Compliance Training in Regulated Industries
While everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI) right now, John points to a quieter but more foundational shift happening in regulated industries like pharma: a willingness to rethink how employees are qualified to do their jobs. Since the 1970s, compliance training in pharma has often meant assigning people to read SOPs (standard operating procedures) and checking the box.
But as John puts it bluntly, “Reading documents is not a good way to train people—especially procedural ones.” Yet this has become embedded in the industry’s DNA over the last 50 years.
Now, for the first time in decades, John sees companies pushing back on that legacy. They’re moving away from documents-as-training and instead building real programs that teach people how to do the job. He’s currently helping several companies reimagine their qualification processes, and AI, if used correctly, can accelerate this transformation. But as he reminds us, “AI won’t help if you’re just doing the wrong thing faster.”
The Future of L&D: AI, Personalization, and Business Partnership
Looking ahead five years, John sees AI revolutionizing L&D workflows but not replacing humans. He predicts AI will become the connective tissue across learning systems, making it easier for L&D teams to deliver just-in-time, personalized learning without the administrative slog.
Imagine a new employee starting Monday and automatically being assigned the right system training without anyone lifting a finger. That’s the kind of intelligence John expects to see, and he believes it will save billions across the industry in wasted administrative effort and irrelevant training.
But the bigger opportunity? Using AI to shift L&D from reactive to strategic. That’s where John thinks the real transformation lies. Not just faster content creation, but better decision-making and alignment with business outcomes.
The Most Critical Skill: Business Partnership
When asked what skill is most critical in today’s L&D environment, John didn’t hesitate: business partnership.
In his experience, too many L&D teams stay in their comfort zone: design, develop, deliver without ever stepping back to ask, “What are we really trying to solve here?” As a result, they become order takers, not strategic partners. And when budget cuts come, L&D is often the first to go because they’re seen as a cost center, not a value driver.
“Being a trusted business partner means being a problem diagnostician,” John says. “If you just build what they ask for without understanding the real issue, and it doesn’t fix anything, they’ll blame the training.”
To shift that perception, L&D needs to show up differently, digging into root causes, challenging assumptions, and delivering solutions that actually move the needle.
Books That Made an Impact
John shared two standout books that he thinks every L&D leader should read:
- The Trusted Learning Advisor by Keith Keating. This one struck a chord because it aligns perfectly with John’s work. It’s an accessible, actionable guide to becoming a true business partner rather than just a training provider.
- The Point by Steve Woodruff. A masterclass in clear, concise communication. Woodruff introduces the concept of a “memory dart”. A sharp, memorable way to introduce yourself or your work that sticks. John loves the practical tools it offers for consultants or anyone in corporate L&D trying to make an impact quickly.
Tapping Into the Right Networks
When it comes to staying informed, John leans on his network. He’s active in groups like the Life Sciences Trainers & Educators Network (LTEN) and the Association for GXP Excellence (AGXPE). But he also gleans valuable insight from LMS vendors, consultants, and peers who see what’s happening inside companies day-to-day. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best intel doesn’t come from articles, it comes from conversations.
Final Thoughts
John Constantine brings a refreshing mix of realism and optimism to the L&D world. He’s not afraid to challenge entrenched norms (like the overreliance on SOPs), but he’s also excited about where the field is headed especially with AI and data-driven personalization. His biggest advice? Stop reacting. Start diagnosing. And don’t forget to sharpen your memory dart.
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