
Exposing L&D’s Operating Model: Navigating the Most Significant Disruption in L&D History with Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens
From The Learning & Development Podcast by David James
April 28, 2026 · 47 min · Season 2 · Episode 84
About this episode
David James discusses the evolution of the L&D operating model with Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens, focusing on the impact of AI and the shift towards performance partnerships.
In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens to explore how AI is revealing deep-seated flaws in the traditional L&D operating model. They discuss why the industry’s long-standing reliance on static content and "one size fits all" curricula is no longer fit for purpose in a world where expertise is now available on tap. Tom and Brandon reflect on the shift from managing content production to facilitating "action learning," where L&D practitioners must act more like business consultants to drive real performance change. They delve into the return of the apprenticeship model - now enabled at scale through AI - and how the role of L&D must evolve from a reactive cost centre into a high-value sensing engine that predicts and solves business failures in real-time. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY…
People in this episode
Host: David James
Guests: Tom Kupetis, Brandon Dickens
Topics covered
- L&D operating model
- AI in learning and development
- performance improvement
- action learning
- apprenticeship model
- business consulting
Keywords
- learning and development
- AI
- performance change
- content production
- data-driven L&D
- apprenticeship
- business outcomes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: 360learning
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