How AI Can Help Enhance Learning and Development in Organisations

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Learning and development (L&D) is a function within an organisation that is responsible for processes like acquiring, enhancing, and applying knowledge and skills. Essentially anything which empowers employees’ professional growth comes under L&D. This is an important sector, as it ensures that an organisation is not simply growing in size, but the workforce is also acquiring necessary skills for the future.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionise virtually every industry, it’s time to start thinking about its applications in the learning and development sector. Integrating AI in L&D has the potential to transform the way employees learn and develop their skills for the better.

How Does It Work?

Using machine learning and natural language processing, artificial intelligence creates tailored learning experiences for each employee. Leveraging AI in this way enhances learning and development efforts within organisations as it empowers employees to take control of their own learning experience.

4 Ways to Use AI in L&D

1. Content creation

Generative AI has the potential to revolutionise the process of content creation. Assembling information from various sources and assembling it into coherent learning materials can be an arduous task. There are manual tools to help author videos, graphics, text, and audio, but they are often time-consuming.

AI tools can help you to create content more quickly. For example, transcription AI software transcribes audio and video recordings into text – meaning you don’t have to manually redouble your efforts to communicate the same information through different formats.

Furthermore, with the right prompting, you can direct AI models to help create other content, such as quizzes based on existing course material.

2. Adaptive learning

AI models can be employed to identify the user’s weaknesses as they move through the material. This means that it can adapt their plan, return to frequent mistakes, and improve the employee’s knowledge to maximise their results. As a result, no two employees will have the same learning experience.

3. AI coaching and mentoring

You’ll likely be familiar with AI chatbots in some capacity. Chatbots are commonly used in an AI call centre to optimise customer service efforts for many organisations.

Now there are advanced, generative AI chatbots coming onto the scene. These are chatbots more advanced and conversational than those which came before. They have the potential to enhance L&D by asking questions and coaching them towards goals.

The conversational AI can guide you through the coaching process, asking questions along the way to enhance your learning. As a result, employees can easily enjoy some of the benefits of mentoring, although this does not replace the need for human coaches.

4. Reporting and analytics

L&D professionals and managers need to track the success of their training regimes. Rather than spending hours on complicated spreadsheets, however, they can simply ask the AI in conversational language. Ask questions like ‘How many hours per week are employees spending on learning?’ or ‘Which subjects are users searching for which we haven’t covered yet?’

AI can analyse the data for you and give a simple answer in conversational language. It can also identify weak points in individual performances, and your workforce as a whole. This makes it easier to find areas where training materials need to be improved or clarified.

Benefits of Using AI in L&D

A reported 75% of employers struggle to find the talent needed to meet organisational goals. Artificial intelligence can help to bridge the gap.

1. AI boosts engagement

If you’re noticing a decline in engagement among your employees, then an AI-based learning platform might be the solution. AI-powered training materials can be more interactive and therefore more engaging for learners.

Experiment with simulations, gamification, and adaptive learning pathways, to create a more enjoyable learning journey. If learners are drawn in by the learning experience, they will be more motivated to properly engage with the content and learn faster.

2. AI facilitates personalisation

The ability to personalise learning is one of the key benefits of AI in L&D.

Advanced prediction models can analyse data such as the content a user has already viewed and when, how long they spent looking at that content, and which content similar users have viewed. From this, the AI model can adapt to the needs, preferences, and skill levels of the individual learner, recommending personalised content in line with company goals.

3. AI promotes transparency

AI-powered platforms and tools allow learners to access real-time data and analytics regarding their performance. This transparency allows individuals to take the reins. They can track their own progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and set smart goals based on their progress so far.

This marks a paradigm shift in the L&D landscape. AI reduces employees’ dependency on educators to provide constant feedback and instead fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. When learners can see exactly where they are, they may be more motivated to take initiative and address weak points.

4. AI solutions are scalable

L&D teams must be ready to scale their programs to meet the needs of an evolving workforce as organisations grow or move into new business areas. AI, with its potential to automate tasks, generate content, and dynamically adjust training content, is well-equipped to respond quickly to changing needs.

Final Thoughts

AI has opened up a raft of exciting opportunities to enhance L&D in organisations. AI models can help with everything from content creation to analytics, bringing with it benefits like transparency and engagement.

As with any emerging technology, however, you shouldn’t rush in. Rather than using AI-powered tools for the sake of using AI, take the time to understand possible applications, benefits, and challenges. Start your AI journey with careful research so that your organisation can make the choice to adapt when the time is right.

Author Bio

Austin Guanzon is the Tier 1 Support Manager for Dialpad, a contact call centre provider and the leading AI-powered customer intelligence platform. He is a customer retention and technical support expert, with experience at some of the largest tech service companies in the US. Austin is also the co-founder of the California based Infinity Martial Arts and has served as an instructor in the sport.