From SME to Instructor: Helping Subject Matter Experts Organize Their Thoughts with AI

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are the backbone of learning and development. They hold deep, specialized knowledge that drives innovation, informs education, and fuels organizational growth. Yet, when asked to teach or document that knowledge, many SMEs face a common challenge — translating expertise into structured, digestible, and engaging instruction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing that. By acting as a cognitive partner, AI tools help SMEs organize their thoughts, scaffold complex ideas, and build instructional materials faster and more effectively than ever before. This post explores how AI supports SMEs in evolving from expert practitioners to confident instructors, transforming scattered insights into structured learning experiences. ---

The SME’s Challenge: From Expertise to Instruction

SMEs are invaluable in industries ranging from technology and healthcare to finance and education. They know the “how” and “why” behind systems, processes, and best practices. However, expertise alone doesn’t automatically translate into instructional clarity. According to The Role of the Subject Matter Expert (IXIA CCMS), SMEs are often brought into projects to provide technical accuracy and depth. But without guidance, their contributions can become overly detailed or disorganized, overwhelming learners. Dr. Nichelle M., a higher education instructor and curriculum designer, emphasizes that the transition from SME to educator requires a shift in mindset — from knowing deeply to teaching clearly. This means structuring content around learning objectives, sequencing information logically, and anticipating learner misconceptions. The challenge lies in organizing vast, interconnected knowledge into teachable components. That’s where AI steps in. ---

How AI Bridges the Gap Between Expertise and Instruction

AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude.ai, and Gemini are not replacements for human expertise. Instead, they serve as collaborative thinking partners. The Elearning @ Champlain College Online AI Prompt Guide for SMEs highlights how generative AI can accelerate course development by helping SMEs brainstorm, outline, and refine content. Here’s how AI supports SMEs at different stages of the instructional design process:

1. Clarifying Learning Objectives

Before creating any course, SMEs must define what learners should know or be able to do. AI can help by prompting reflection and refinement.

• SMEs can ask AI to generate sample learning outcomes based on a topic area.
• AI can align outcomes with Bloom’s Taxonomy or other educational frameworks.
• It can suggest measurable verbs and performance indicators to ensure objectives are actionable.

For instance, an SME in cybersecurity might use AI to transform a vague goal like “understand network security” into a measurable outcome such as “Identify and mitigate common network vulnerabilities using standard security protocols.”

2. Structuring Content Logically

Once objectives are clear, the next step is organizing material into a logical sequence. SMEs often know too much — making it difficult to decide what to include first. AI can analyze topic lists and recommend a coherent flow. It can also identify prerequisite knowledge, helping instructors scaffold lessons effectively.

• AI-generated outlines can serve as starting points for course modules.
• Tools like Notion AI or ChatGPT can cluster related concepts, reducing cognitive overload.
• SMEs can compare multiple AI-generated structures to select the one that best fits their learners.

This structured approach ensures that learners build understanding progressively, rather than being overwhelmed by information density.

3. Simplifying Complex Concepts

SMEs frequently struggle to “translate” jargon or advanced concepts into learner-friendly language. AI excels at paraphrasing and analogy generation. For example, an AI assistant can turn a dense technical explanation into a simple metaphor or step-by-step breakdown. This helps SMEs maintain accuracy while improving accessibility. AI can also simulate learner questions, helping SMEs anticipate confusion points and clarify explanations before they reach the classroom.

4. Generating Examples and Scenarios

Real-world examples are essential for applied learning. AI can generate case studies, scenarios, and examples tailored to specific industries or skill levels.

• For healthcare SMEs, AI can produce patient case simulations.
• For project management, it can create realistic team dynamics or risk scenarios.
• For IT professionals, it can design troubleshooting exercises based on common system failures.

By providing varied examples, AI helps SMEs ensure that learners can apply knowledge in authentic contexts.

5. Drafting Assessments and Feedback

Assessment design is another area where SMEs often need support. AI can generate quizzes, discussion prompts, and performance tasks aligned with learning objectives. AI can also help SMEs design rubrics, ensuring that evaluation criteria are clear and consistent. Moreover, generative tools can simulate learner responses, allowing SMEs to test the validity and fairness of their assessments. The result is a more balanced and evidence-based evaluation strategy that aligns with instructional goals. ---

The Cognitive Partner Model: AI as a Thinking Collaborator

In the paper “So What if ChatGPT Wrote It?” (ScienceDirect, 2023), researchers discuss how AI enables new forms of co-creation and cognitive augmentation. Rather than replacing human thought, AI amplifies it by organizing, summarizing, and challenging ideas. For SMEs, this means AI can act as a “second brain” — capturing fleeting insights, structuring them into categories, and prompting reflection. This cognitive partnership works best when SMEs:

• Treat AI as a brainstorming partner, not a final authority.
• Use AI outputs as drafts to refine, expand, or fact-check.
• Maintain ownership of tone, accuracy, and instructional intent.

By engaging in this iterative dialogue, SMEs transform raw expertise into structured, teachable knowledge. ---

Practical AI Tools for SMEs Transitioning to Instructors

A growing ecosystem of AI tools supports SMEs in instructional design. Here are some practical options:

1. ChatGPT or Claude.ai

These conversational AI tools assist with brainstorming, outlining, and writing. SMEs can use them to:

• Draft course outlines or lesson summaries.
• Rephrase technical content for different learner levels.
• Generate examples, analogies, or discussion questions.

2. Notion AI or Coda AI

These tools help with organization and knowledge management. SMEs can:

• Build structured knowledge bases.
• Tag and categorize related topics.
• Create dynamic templates for lesson planning.

3. Miro or Whimsical

Visual collaboration tools powered by AI help SMEs map complex systems or workflows. They can:

• Create concept maps or flowcharts.
• Visualize relationships between topics.
• Identify gaps in instructional flow.

4. Synthesia or Pictory

For SMEs creating video-based learning, AI video tools can:

• Generate narrated explainer videos.
• Convert text-based lessons into media-rich content.
• Personalize tone and pacing for different audiences.

5. Quizgecko or QuestionWell

These AI-driven assessment tools can:

• Generate quizzes aligned with objectives.
• Suggest question types (multiple choice, scenario-based, etc.).
• Provide feedback templates for instructors.

Each tool helps SMEs move from idea to instruction more efficiently, without sacrificing quality or depth. ---

Overcoming Common Concerns About AI in Instructional Design

While AI offers many benefits, SMEs often express valid concerns about accuracy, ethics, and authenticity.

Concern 1: “AI might distort my expertise.”

AI’s suggestions are only as reliable as the prompts and oversight provided. SMEs must review, edit, and validate all AI-generated content. The expert remains the final authority.

Concern 2: “AI will make my teaching generic.”

AI can generate standard templates, but SMEs personalize them with their unique insights, stories, and case studies. The combination of AI structure and human authenticity creates engaging instruction.

Concern 3: “AI threatens originality.”

According to the So What if ChatGPT Wrote It? study, AI-generated content can still be original when used as a co-creative tool. The originality lies in how SMEs interpret, adapt, and expand upon AI outputs.

Concern 4: “AI can’t replace human empathy.”

True. AI can mimic tone but not genuine empathy or mentorship. The SME’s role as an instructor involves emotional intelligence — motivating learners, providing feedback, and building trust. AI simply supports those efforts by handling structure and organization. ---

Building AI Literacy for SMEs

To fully leverage AI, SMEs must develop AI literacy — the ability to understand, evaluate, and apply AI tools effectively. Here’s how organizations can support this development:

1. Training and Workshops: Offer short courses on prompt engineering, ethical AI use, and instructional design integration.
2. Mentorship Programs: Pair SMEs with instructional designers experienced in AI-assisted development.
3. AI Playgrounds: Create safe spaces for experimentation where SMEs can test tools without production pressure.
4. Ethical Guidelines: Establish policies for transparency, data privacy, and attribution when using AI-generated materials.

By cultivating AI literacy, organizations empower SMEs to innovate responsibly and confidently. ---

The Future: SMEs as AI-Enhanced Educators

As AI continues to mature, the role of the SME will expand. They will not only provide subject expertise but also orchestrate AI systems that personalize learning experiences. In the Reflection Software article “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane… It’s a SME??,” SMEs are described as hidden heroes within learning and development teams. With AI, these heroes gain superpowers — the ability to scale their expertise, adapt content dynamically, and reach broader audiences. Future SMEs may use AI to:

• Generate adaptive learning paths based on learner performance.
• Continuously update content with real-time data insights.
• Collaborate across disciplines to create interdisciplinary courses.

AI won’t replace SMEs; it will elevate them — turning expertise into structured, scalable, and impactful education. ---

Conclusion

Transitioning from SME to instructor has always required clarity, structure, and empathy. AI now accelerates that process by helping experts organize their thoughts, refine their communication, and design meaningful learning experiences. By embracing AI as a collaborative partner, SMEs can move beyond the struggle of structuring their knowledge and focus on what truly matters — inspiring learners through the depth of their expertise.