Exposing L&D’s Operating Model: Navigating the Most Significant Disruption in L&D History with Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens

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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