Exploring the Future: Reflections on MSLOC’s Webinar on AI and Organizational Change
Recently, we were thrilled to host an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion on AI and Organizational Change. Moderated by Ryan Smerek, associate professor and associate director for academic affairs at MSLOC, the event brought together three distinguished panelists: Kim Bayma, Dr. Malika Viltz-Emerson, and Michael Zimmer.
At a time when the use of AI is rapidly evolving, the conversation centered around both the transformative opportunities and critical challenges AI introduces into our work, organizations, and learning environments.
Key Themes from the Conversation:
🔹 AI as Augmentation, Not Replacement
Panelists emphasized viewing AI as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. “You really need to view AI as an augmentation tool versus a replacement for human workers,” said Kim Bayma. She added, “If you have garbage data, it’s garbage in, garbage out,” underscoring the vital importance of quality, intentional data curation and management in any AI strategy.
🔹 Human-Centered Design
Dr. Malika Viltz-Emerson highlighted the importance of keeping people at the center of AI strategy. She emphasized that digital transformation is not just a technological endeavor but a human one. “We really need to think about what we’re solving for by moving so swiftly with AI,” she said. “We have to keep the human at the center—real intelligence needs to guide artificial intelligence.”
🔹 Organizational Readiness and Ethical Concerns
Michael Zimmer spoke to the growing gap between the individual adoption of AI tools and organizations’ readiness to fully integrate them. “Nobody understands their industry better than the people who work there,” he said. “To the extent that you are successful in getting people to systematically use AI, their expertise is going to be amplified by this technology.” He argued that with proper alignment of incentives—particularly in employee-owned firms—AI can become a truly empowering force rather than a threat.
🔹 Emerging Use Cases
From sales coaching bots to adaptive learning experiences, the panelists shared exciting examples of AI’s growing role in streamlining workflows, supporting employee development, and even democratizing access to organizational knowledge. Kim Bayma introduced the idea of "conversational AI agents" as the next evolution beyond simple chatbots, helping teams collaborate and innovate more effectively.
🔹 Governance, Bias, and Environmental Impact
Despite the promise, the panelists acknowledged serious concerns. Both Viltz-Emerson and Bayma highlighted the environmental costs of large language models and the potential for AI systems to reinforce existing social biases. They urged organizations to build governance structures and inclusive design processes that prioritize transparency, accountability, and ethical use.
🔹 A Call for Broader Representation
Bayma passionately called for more diverse voices—especially women and underrepresented groups—to take active roles in shaping the future of AI. Without greater representation in the design and development of AI technologies, the risk of perpetuating inequities increases substantially.
🔹 Opportunities in Learning and Development
In the L&D space, AI is already transforming how employees onboard, build skills, and receive feedback. The panelists discussed how tools like adaptive learning platforms, AI tutors, and even digital twins are making training more personalized and interactive. These innovations, they noted, are helping organizations move beyond traditional, one-size-fits-all models of development.
Write to us at msloc@northwestern.edu if you would like to receive a recording of the panel discussion.
Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy is home to several programs that address organizational design and strategy, knowledge sharing, and change leadership, including the Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change (MSLOC), Executive Learning and Organizational Change (ELOC), and the Designing for Organizational Effectiveness Certificate. Each of these helps leaders address the challenges we see in our new world of work. For more information, visit msloc.northwestern.edu and eloc.northwestern.edu.