At Cognota, we believe the future of L&D isn’t just about AI. It’s about operationalizing learning in a way that ensures AI becomes a powerful extension of strategy, not a replacement for it.
That’s where LearnOps® comes in. Our LearnOps Maturity Model outlines five stages of growth for corporate learning teams, from siloed and reactive processes to fully adaptive learning operations. At the highest level (Level 5: Adaptive) AI doesn’t just support the work. It runs it.
This might sound futuristic, but it’s closer than you think.
Reaching Adaptive Maturity with LearnOps
In the Adaptive stage of the LearnOps Maturity Model:
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Humans set the strategy, but AI runs the workflows
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Resources, risks, and priorities are adjusted in real-time
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Business outcomes are tracked and optimized autonomously
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AI agents evolve with the organization and scale operations instantly
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Decisions are made on live data, not dashboards weeks out of date
No organization is fully operating at this level yet. But it’s a destination we’re collectively moving toward, and fast.
The question is: what does the path to Adaptive look like?
AI Impact Zones Are Already Here
To understand where you are (and where to focus next) it helps to think in terms of AI Impact Zones in L&D. Introduced by Megan Torrance of TorranceLearning, these zones outline how AI is affecting every layer of our work:
Zone 1: AI in L&D Workflows
AI is embedded in the tools learning teams use every day—from content creation to data analysis. It generates assessments, drafts course outlines, and summarizes evaluation data, freeing up L&D professionals to focus on strategic design and business alignment.
Zone 2: AI in the Learner Experience
Here, AI powers adaptive learning paths, personalized coaching, and real-time feedback. It’s transforming static eLearning into dynamic, personalized journeys based on real learner behavior and progress.
Zone 3: AI in the Business
AI is reshaping how work gets done across the business—changing performance expectations, coaching dynamics, and the skills required. L&D has a critical role in helping the organization adapt, upskill, and thrive through that change.
What’s important to remember is: these zones aren’t sequential. They’re simultaneous. And the more synchronized your learning operations are, the faster you can respond across all three.
Connecting the Zones to LearnOps Strategy
AI is already making its presence known. But without a clear operating model (without LearnOps) you risk spinning your wheels.
As you evaluate your team’s AI readiness, consider these questions:
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Is your intake process structured enough for AI to support prioritization?
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Are your content workflows repeatable enough to benefit from automation?
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Do you have visibility across teams and projects to track outcomes in real time?
If not, AI might speed things up, but it won’t steer you in the right direction.
Start Where You Are, but Don’t Stay There
Every team is at a different point in its LearnOps journey. But wherever you are, there’s an opportunity to start mapping AI to strategy.
Want a helpful framework to understand where AI is already showing up, and where to focus next?
👉 Watch this short video from Megan Torrance on the 3 AI Impact Zones for L&D
At Cognota, we’re helping L&D teams build the operational foundation needed to not just adopt AI, but adapt with it. Because in a future where AI handles execution, your job is to lead with clarity, purpose, and a strong LearnOps framework.
🚀 Want to Learn More?
Join the movement at LearnOps.com and explore how Cognota powers strategic L&D with our purpose-built LearnOps platform.
Or book a customized consultation to discover how your team can evolve from order-taker to strategic powerhouse.
