Is it just me, or did keeping up with AI go from manageable… to what is even happening overnight? 😅
Apparently, there’s a word for that.
My friend and collaborator Lux Narayan coined it:
“Ainxiety.”
I’ve definitely felt it. Maybe you have too?
Because with so much hype on all things AI it’s easy to start the spiral into questions like:
👉 “Should I be doing more with AI?”
👉 “How is this going to change the way I run my sessions?”
👉 Is AI about to make trainers and facilitators… obsolete?
And honestly?
This feels like another one of those BIG shifts—
A bit like when we all had to move online overnight during COVID.
Which can leave you feeling stuck between two not-so-great options:
1️⃣ Ignore AI and risk falling behind
2️⃣ Or patch it into your sessions in a haphazard, clunky way
But no one wants to run a “session slop” workshop. 😅
But there is a third option.
This is where I come back to my facilitator roots:
👉 Instead of trying to keep up, get intentional about where AI actually improves the learning experience.
So I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture.
I went back to SessionLab’s latest State of Facilitation report to see how trainers, facilitators, and coaches are actually using AI right now.
Three things stood out to me:
1/ AI use is rising fast
About a third of facilitators are already using it regularly
👉 This isn’t experimental anymore—it’s becoming part of the workflow
2/ Most people are still using general tools like ChatGPT
👉 We’re not seeing deeply integrated tools yet—most of us are still figuring out how this fits
3/ The most common use? Early-stage thinking and brainstorming
👉 AI is acting more like a thought partner than a delivery tool
In other words:
💡 We’re all still figuring this out.
No one has cracked the code just yet. 😀
Instead of guessing… I’ve decided to do something about it.
This month in The Quest, I’m going on a deep dive into AI & learning.
I’m treating this as a real-time experiment—testing, learning, and sharing as I go.
Over the next 4 weeks, I’ll be exploring questions like:
🤖 How is AI actually changing the live session experience?
🧠 Are we moving from “teaching” → “facilitating thinking”?
⚡ How do we use AI without losing human connection?
The goal? 👉 To move from “Am I doing this right?” to
“I know exactly how to use AI to level up my sessions.”
Less guessing. More intention. And a lot less “Ainxiety”.
Over to you 🎤
👉 What have you been wrestling with – or experimenting with – when it comes to AI and leading live sessions? Hit reply and let me know!
This week’s Facilitator Finds 💪
In this section, you’ll find curated events, resources, tips, and tools that I’ve found super valuable — and I think you will too!
📆 Nadia Chaney’s Knotty Groups. A 3-day training for experienced trainers led by my facilitation mentor (and one of the best facilitators I know), Nadia Chaney, on tricky group dynamics. In person and online sessions.
💬 Language people use when they are facilitating. A brilliant LinkedIn post by seasoned facilitator Julia Slay with tried-and-tested phrases that can help when you need to guide, interrupt, redirect, or keep things flowing.
✍️ Session Lab’s Guide to High Impact Facilitation. A practical guide for facilitators, trainers, L&D professionals who deliver workshops and wants to demonstrate genuine impact from the brilliant team over at SessionLab.
💌 Thanks for reading The Quest
I always love hearing your feedback and suggestions. Just hit reply to share your thoughts and ideas.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to The Quest 👉here.
If you enjoy The Quest, I’d appreciate it if you shared it with anyone you think might like it.
Creatively yours,
Whenever you are ready there are 2 more ways I can help you:
👉Custom coaching & team training. Book a free 15-minute zero-commitment call with me to see how I can support you and your team.
👉 Live Session Design Video Course. Live Session Magic gives you a proven system for designing consistently high-quality online sessions. Join the interest list here and be the first to get access.
👉5-week Live Online Course. The Breakthrough Facilitation course gives you tools, personalized feedback, and a proven framework for designing and leading high-engagement live sessions. Join the interest list and be the first to get the next cohort dates and discounts.
