You’ve probably heard it a hundred times by now: AI is here. It’s not some far-off, futuristic vision—it’s happening right now, and it’s showing up in just about every industry, including Learning Experience Design.
If you’re a Learning Experience Designer (LxD), you might be wondering: What does this actually mean for me? Do I have to become a tech expert overnight?
Take a deep breath. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a tech whiz to begin using AI.
Most AI tools are optimized for beginners to use, offering an accessible means to expand and accelerate what’s possible.
From generating detailed visuals to creating immersive video experiences, AI can help you bring your ideas to life in ways that were once out of reach. In this article, we’ll explore how AI can support your creativity, and introduce four powerful tools—HeyGen, Leonardo, Skybox AI, and Midjourney—that make it easier than ever to design complex images, dynamic videos, and engaging learning environments.
These tools can help you think bigger and stay focused on who really matters—the learner.
Upgrading Your Toolkit
Let’s be honest, your to-do list is never-ending. Between outlining modules, creating assets, writing content, editing for tone, reviewing with SMEs, and building the actual course, it can feel like there’s not much time left for big-picture creativity.
That’s where AI comes in.
These AI tools can’t replace the human side of learning design—your empathy, experience, and judgment are still essential to the learning experience design process. But they can help with the heavy lifting. Think of them collectively as a creative assistant: fast, responsive, and always ready to brainstorm or build.
Here’s what AI can help with:
- Generating visuals and videos to bring your ideas to life
- Creating immersive environments like 360-degree scenes
- Speeding up repetitive tasks like content rewriting or layout copy
Crafting learning experiences will always require that human touch to remain emotionally engaging and memorable, but AI can help give you the breathing room you need to design with intentionality. These tools allow you to take it a step further in exploring what’s possible beyond simple text revision and basic image generation.
1. HeyGen
Best for: Video creation using AI avatars
HeyGen shines in creating realistic avatars that talk, smile, and even adjust their facial expressions, but did you know that HeyGen does more than just realism? With over 175+ different languages, HeyGen can also produce a wide variety of stylized avatars (cartoonish, cyberpunk, etc.) to use in your design process.
With additional tools like the scene editor or even using third-party tools like Premiere Pro, you can further customize these videos for your project.
With HeyGen, you can:
- Create talking heads quickly
- Use avatars that sync to your voiceover or uploaded audio
- Export transparent background videos for clean overlays
Heads up: You get 3 free videos a month with HeyGen—any more and it’s a paid service!
2. Leonardo.Ai
Best for: Asset generation and concept visuals
Leonardo.Ai is perfect for generating high-quality assets like characters, props, and environments. It can create images in a wide variety of art styles through a simple text prompt–take it further with the canvas editor, a tool that allows you to fine-tune your image in small sections.
With Leonardo.Ai, you can:
- Create consistent, style-matched assets for characters, settings, or objects
- Generate custom illustrations or concept art to support storytelling
- Rapidly explore visual directions and themes for your learning content
It’s especially handy for creating rich environments or when you need to see a few different art styles before choosing a direction.
Heads up: The free version limits the image size you can generate, and there’s a cap on how many images you can generate in a day!
3. Skybox AI
Best for: Immersive 360-degree environments
This tool is an interesting one. Skybox AI allows you to generate 360-degree, panoramic environments. Not only can they be used for VR, but also as an immersive way to explore an area, like Google Maps. Panoramic images can help your learner explore environments in a three-dimensional way that supports engagement.
Some perks of Sybox AI:
- Perfect for virtual tours without needing location shoots
- Helps create more engaging, interactive backgrounds
- Can be used with VR platforms or as panoramic visuals
Heads up: The free version of Skybox AI permits 5 generations per month.
4. Midjourney
Best for: Stunning visuals and 360-degree scenes
Midjourney is an AI generator with a focus on producing artistic, detailed visuals.
You give it a text prompt, and it gives you beautiful, high-resolution images that can fit any style—realistic, abstract, fantasy—the possibilities are endless. Midjourney has another helpful feature: it can also create 360-degree images.
With Midjourney, you can:
- Create characters, backgrounds, or course graphics
- Generate 360-degree visuals for immersive storytelling
Heads up: It does require a subscription and some time to get used to the interface, but the results are worth it.
Final Thoughts: AI is a Tool
If you’re already working with AI, you know the deal—it’s not about handing over the reins. It’s about pushing boundaries and unlocking new creative possibilities. These tools aren’t here to take over; they’re here to help you go further.
Whether you’re building immersive environments, generating course assets, or experimenting with new formats, AI is your creative partner. The key is being intentional: knowing when to lean on it and when to lead with your own vision.
You don’t have to use every tool. Start with what aligns with your goals, and build from there.
The future of learning design isn’t just powered by AI, it’s shaped by designers who know how to use it well.