Dr. Brenda Bannan Professor Emerita of Education
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Founder of AI4LD · George Mason University

Dr. Brenda Bannan

Professor Emerita of Education. Bridging the gap between learning science and artificial intelligence for instructional design, learning experience design, and corporate L&D professionals.

Dr. Brenda Bannan
Dr. Brenda Bannan
Professor Emerita of Education · Founder, AI4LD
The Why

We Illuminate the Connection Between Learning and AI

As the founder of AI4LD and Professor Emerita in Education, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between learning science and artificial intelligence for corporate training professionals. With a strong academic foundation in learning theory, instructional design, and emerging technologies, I help instructional designers, learning experience designers, and corporate L&D professionals navigate the evolving landscape of AI-enabled learning systems.

AI4LD provides practical and research-based insights on integrating learning science and AI into instructional design, ensuring that learning and development professionals can leverage these advancements effectively. My passion lies in connecting how people learn with the transformative power of AI, empowering organizations to create AI-infused learning designs with a solid foundation of understanding of both human and machine learning.

Let’s explore the future of AI in learning experience design together!

Dr. Brenda Bannan, Professor Emerita of Education at George Mason University
About Me

Three decades connecting how people learn with technology

Dr. Brenda Bannan, Professor Emerita in Education at George Mason University and Founder of AI4LD, is a leader in the L&D field with over thirty years of experience integrating learning science, instructional design, learning experience design, and UX design with AI to analyze and implement innovative human-machine partnerships that improve learning and workplace training.

  • Inaugural Founding Co-Director, Center for Advancing Human-Machine Partnerships (CAHMP), George Mason University
  • 30+ years in learning science, instructional design & LXD research
  • Founder of AI4LD — practical, research-based AI insights for L&D professionals
ai4ld

Featured Microlearning Modules

Research-grounded microlearning that connects learning science foundations to practical AI skills.

Module
AI and Human Cognition: Thinking Fast & Slow
View on AI4LD
Module
AI4LD: Bridging How People Learn and AI — The AI-Learning Connection
View on AI4LD
Module
Introduction to GenAI and Large Language Models (LLMs) — A Primer for L&D Professionals
View on AI4LD

Please visit ai4ld.com to access additional microlearning modules.

CV

Work & Education

Work
Professor Emerita of Education
George Mason University
2024 – present
Professor
George Mason University
1996 – 2024
Assistant Professor
University of South Florida, Fort Myers
1995 – 1996
Education
Ph.D. Instructional Systems
The Pennsylvania State University
1995
M.S. Instructional Technology
Bloomsburg University
1991
B.S. in Communications
Millersville University
1986
Selected Works & Awards

Research, Leadership & Recognition

Inaugural Founding Co-Director — Center for Advancing Human-Machine Partnerships (CAHMP), George Mason University, 2019–2023.

Shark, A.R. & Bannan, B. (October 1, 2023). Generative AI in Public Education. National Academy of Public Administration’s Call to Action on Responsibly Using AI to Benefit Public Service at all Levels of Government. NAPA’s Standing Panel on Technology Leadership. napawash.org

Dailey, S.A., Dubrow, S., Bannan, B., & Santago (2025). Promoting team situation awareness in fire and emergency response (pp. 143–155). In T. Behrend (Ed.), Human-Technology Partnerships at Work. Cambridge University Press.

Bannan, B., Torres, E.M., Purohit, H., Pandey, R. & Cockroft, J.L. (2020). Sensor-based adaptive instructional systems in live simulation training. In R. Sottilare & J. Schwarz (Eds.), Adaptive Instructional Systems. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12214 (pp. 3–14). Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50788-6_1

2022 Presidential Service Award, Design & Development Division, Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), October 24–28, 2022, Las Vegas, NV.

Watch

A Conversation on Generative AI in Public Education

From Shark, A.R. & Bannan, B. (2023). Generative AI in Public Education. National Academy of Public Administration’s Call to Action on Responsibly Using AI to Benefit Public Service, NAPA’s Standing Panel on Technology Leadership. napawash.org

Supporting development of human skills such as critical thinking and analytical skills that help people to effectively use gen AI

2025 Learning & Development Global Sentiment Survey

At AI4LD, we combat the stress that L&D professionals are experiencing trying to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of AI. We start with what they know — how people learn — then connect that prior knowledge to foundational skills of AI. Aligned with industry trends.

Contact

Let’s Connect

Exploring AI and learning design, speaking engagements, research collaboration, or L&D consulting — reach out anytime.

brenda.bannan@gmail.com