Beyond AI Training: Building an AI Learning Ecosystem for Staff

Many organizations have launched AI training to build awareness and introduce employees to emerging technologies. While these efforts increase familiarity, they often raise a new question: how do organizations move from awareness to meaningful workplace adoption when both the technology and workplace continue to evolve?
This session explores how the Office of the CIO and Illinois Human Resources have approached building AI workforce capability through a phased and evolving strategy. Beginning with foundational learning pathways for staff and leaders, the initiative expanded to intermediate learning focused on responsible use, AI tool selection, and practical application. As adoption matured, the effort grew to include team-based development, applied learning opportunities, and targeted support designed to connect learning directly to workplace needs.
Presenters will share the building blocks that have contributed to the development of an emerging AI learning ecosystem, including learning pathways, applied practice, peer-to-peer learning, workflow-focused support, and a measurement architecture. The session will also explore lessons learned from creating structure and direction while remaining flexible enough to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, emerging use cases, and workforce needs.

About this event:

Presenters:

• Luanne Mayorga, Assistant Chancellor for Strategic Programs & Partnerships, Illinois Human Resources
• Jacob Myers, Associate Director of Operations, Big Ten Academic Alliance

Track:

Party Up — Share strategies, partnerships, and success stories that help us form stronger parties, coordinate across guilds, and conquer challenges together.

Experience Needed:

Intermediate

Learning Outcome:

Participants will understand how a phased approach and flexible framework can provide structure, direction, and opportunities for adaptation when building workforce capability in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Additional Keywords:

AI, AI Training, Learning, Staff