10 things to know about AI in learning and development

Did you know that 89% of learning and development (L&D) professionals recognise the critical need for investing in skills training? Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of this evolution, reshaping the learning, training, and development industry. 

AI, with its sophisticated machine learning algorithms and natural language processing capabilities, offers an innovative bridge connecting individual employees' potential to achieving organisational goals. By implementing AI, we empower staff in their training journeys and enable learning and development teams to automate routine tasks and expand training initiatives efficiently.

We’re here to share more about AI for learning and development, addressing common queries and concerns surrounding its integration. Join us as we cover ten things about AI in education, training, and development.

1. Understanding artificial intelligence in L&D

First, it’s essential to understand artificial intelligence in the context of learning and development. At its core, AI refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include training, decision-making, and problem-solving. 

In training and development, AI transcends traditional boundaries, using smart tutoring systems, adaptive learning platforms, and intelligent content creation tools. It assists in building extensive courses, including training videos and interactive quizzes, most relatable to learner's needs. 

By tailoring learning experiences, AI ensures that each educational journey is as efficient and impactful as possible, aligning closely with individual learner profiles and objectives.

2. The impact of AI on learning and development

AI's impact on L&D is multifaceted and profound, transforming how training is delivered, experienced, and managed. Let’s explore some key benefits and ways artificial intelligence affects the industry.

• Personalised learning paths: AI can create highly customised and adaptive learning experiences. AI tailors curriculums and content by analysing learners' performance to align with specific training needs and preferences.
• Intelligent tutoring systems: AI-powered eLearning platforms like Lingio offer personalised feedback and guidance, extracting information from learners' past performance. This enhances understanding and knowledge retention.
• Automated administration: AI streamlines L&D administration. It automates the content creation process, including creating quizzes, videos, and interactive training materials within seconds, minutes, or hours, freeing up valuable time and resources. 
• Adaptive testing: AI's role in adaptive testing revolutionises assessments, adjusting question difficulty based on real-time learner performance to lead to more accurate answers.
• Predictive learning analytics: AI's predictive capabilities identify students struggling early on, offering interventions to aid each learner's progress. 
  
  

AI learning and development continues to evolve, and its future seems bright. In fact, AI in the education market is projected to reach $5.57 billion in 2024. With its ability to adapt to specific learning styles and needs, AI sets a new standard for educational effectiveness.

3. Practical applications: How to use AI in learning and development

AI's implementation in workplace training is revolutionising corporate education strategies. 

Here are some practical ways you can use AI in your development and learning strategy:

• Identify knowledge gaps: AI can recognise knowledge gaps by analysing extensive data sets to pinpoint skills lacking in employees and customising training to address these holes efficiently. This approach has been adopted by leading online training providers to tailor their offerings based on performance and skill requirements to enhance learning. 
• Make content suggestions: AI can scan various sources, including the World Wide Web and learning management systems (LMS), to recommend the most relevant content for staff. This saves managers from the tedious task of sifting through countless learning resources and putting together their own training courses.
• Create content: Similarly, AI aids in creating and writing educational content like training videos and courses by gathering information from multiple sources and presenting it coherently. 
• Automate assessments and feedback: Artificial intelligence tools can share assessments, evaluate performance, and provide instant feedback, creating a more efficient and personalised evaluation process.
• Develop insights: AI extracts data analysis from LMS and employee performance feedback, generating insights to improve course effectiveness and refine L&D strategies. 

4. Leveraging AI for enhanced learning experiences

In eLearning, AI can be strategically utilised to develop adaptive training paths. By analysing individual performance data in real-time, AI tailors the difficulty of course content to meet the specific training needs of each learner. This personalisation ensures that the learning journey is more engaging and effective in addressing the unique requirements of each individual. 

In employee training, AI can analyse job performance metrics and identify skill gaps, recommending focused training modules to bridge these gaps. This targeted training approach is efficient and highly relevant, directly contributing to employees' professional development and productivity. 

Moreover, AI's ability to incorporate interactive training elements, such as simulations and gamified scenarios, adds an engaging layer to the learning process. Gamified learning boosts employee retention and engagement and deepens understanding. 

Finally, AI-driven analytics in training and development programs offer invaluable insights into staff engagement and the effectiveness of training modules. This data-driven approach allows continually refining training content and methodologies, aligning them more closely with organisational goals and learner needs. 

'Gamification applications can be incredibly useful in eLearning, where the learning material is transformed into a more engaging and interactive experience, improving retention and motivation. In business, gamified apps can be used for onboarding and training programs and as productivity tools, incentivising performance and knowledge acquisition since gamification can help people retain information better.' - Yashar Moradbakhti, CEO of Lingio 

5. Generative AI in learning and development and its implications

Generative AI refers to advanced algorithms that can generate new content based on existing data, ranging from text to images. Its potential impact on the education market is significant, as it can create customised learning materials and simulate complex scenarios for training purposes. 

Unlike traditional AI or machine learning, which primarily analyse and interpret data, generative AI creates new, original outputs. Machine learning involves AI algorithms learning from data patterns, while deep learning, a subset of machine learning, uses neural networks to analyse data layers for more complex insights. It’s adept at creating engaging and interactive educational content, such as illustrative diagrams, training videos, and realistic simulations for hands-on training experiences. For example, in medical education, generative AI can produce detailed anatomical images or simulate patient interactions for clinical training, improving both theoretical and practical learning.

Generative AI's ability to produce novel content positions it uniquely in the L&D sphere, offering innovative ways to contribute to enhanced learning outcomes.

6. AI for training and development: How it's done

Training AI, such as GPT chat models, involves a complex learning process, starting with extensive data collection. Large datasets comprising text, images, or other relevant inputs are gathered to provide a foundation for training. This data is then used to train the AI model, which involves feeding the data into the model and allowing it to learn and identify patterns. 

For virtual assistants like GPT, this means analysing vast amounts of text to understand language nuances, context, and conversation flow. The training involves iterative processes, continuously refining and testing the model for accuracy. Advanced techniques like deep learning are often employed to enhance the model's ability to process and interpret complex data. This comprehensive training ensures that AI can respond intelligently and contextually in various scenarios.

AI in L&D involves the application of advanced techniques like natural language processing to understand and respond to learners' queries contextually. This technology can adapt to different learning styles and paces, ensuring each learner receives a tailored experience. In corporate training scenarios, AI can be programmed to simulate real-world challenges, enabling employees to practice and perfect their skills in a virtual, risk-free environment.

7. The role of AI in creating training programs

As organisations evolve, expand, and onboard new talent, scalable and adaptive training becomes crucial. AI meets these demands by automating routine processes and creating and editing training content, efficiently responding to the changing needs of the workforce. 

One of the most significant roles of AI in L&D is content creation and curation. Traditionally, developing training materials required subject matter experts and managers to invest considerable time and effort in creating courses, often detracting from their primary responsibilities. Furthermore, it's essential to note that expertise in a subject doesn’t automatically mean someone can develop engaging and pedagogically sound course content. 

AI platforms, like Lingio, trained in modern learning techniques, can generate effective and engaging training content in mere moments, saving significant time and resources. This includes quickly creating new courses and adapting existing content to align with current training theories and organisational requirements. 

The benefits of AI-generated courses and training programs are profound. eLearning platforms like Lingio streamline the training program development process, resulting in practical and gripping training capable of evolving alongside the organisation. If you’re unsure what to start when creating a training program, learn how to build a course with AI here.

8. Corporate adoption: AI in the workplace

Approximately 75% of employers face challenges finding talent with skillsets aligning with their business goals. As such, the business world increasingly recognises AI corporate training as a vital tool for developing new skills and learning.

AI helps companies identify training gaps, recommend appropriate content, and track performance over time, accelerating training and cultivating a more productive workforce. 

Plus, some AI eLearning platforms offer content translation, which can be a game-changer for organisations, especially for global companies. This feature allows for the rapid, effective translation of training materials into multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse, distributed teams. Features like these promote inclusivity and improve the learning experience for employees across different regions. Lingio is one SaaS company that offers this feature; employees can select industry terms in-app and receive translations in over 100 languages.

World leader in facility management ISS's collaboration with Lingio is one of many strong company examples of AI in learning and development. By adopting Lingio's advanced AI-driven learning experience platform, ISS significantly enhanced its employees' language skills. Lingio’s gamified, customised training courses improved internal communications within the company and promoted a more inclusive work environment, demonstrating the transformative impact of AI in company training.

9. Addressing concerns and challenges of AI in L&D

While the benefits are significant, it’s essential to understand that adopting AI in L&D also presents challenges and concerns, requiring careful planning and strategic implementation. One of the primary concerns is integration.

Ensuring that AI-powered learning management systems (LMS) seamlessly fit into an organisation's existing tech stack and infrastructure can sometimes be challenging. A cloud-based AI-powered LMS that’s easy to use, like Lingio, can mitigate these concerns. 

Costs can be another significant hurdle. AI software can sometimes come with a hefty price tag. It’s essential to weigh the necessity of software against its cost, avoiding unnecessary expenditures. Factors influencing costs include the type of LMS (self-hosted vs. cloud-based), the need for AI experts, and the extent of staff training required. We’re proud that Lingio offers fair prices for our range of packages. Paid subscription plans begin at $416 for up to 100 learners when billed annually.

Additionally, infrastructure readiness is crucial. Many AI tools for training and development require modern, robust digital infrastructures. Outdated systems may not support the resource-intensive nature of many AI tools, necessitating further investment in technological upgrades. 

Finally, it’s essential to manage expectations regarding AI’s capabilities. While AI can significantly enhance training efforts, it’s not a one-stop solution. The effectiveness of AI is contingent on the quality of the input data and the learning content. Overestimating AI’s capabilities can sometimes lead to underinvestment in other critical areas of the training strategy. Staff training in understanding AI’s limitations is essential for a balanced approach to L&D.

10. The future of AI in learning and development

As AI technology evolves, we can anticipate more sophisticated and intuitive learning platforms capable of tailoring content development to individual learning styles and performance metrics to even higher levels. The potential for AI to facilitate immersive, interactive learning experiences through augmented and virtual reality is likely to revolutionise how knowledge is acquired and skills are developed. Virtual reality has already been found effective for soft skills training, with 40% of VR learners showing improvement.

In 2024, and ahead, some more AI trends we can expect to emerge include a deepened emphasis on striking a balance between innovation and security, with a focus on ethical and sustainable AI development and application.

Use Lingio for learning and development training

Using AI in L&D is revolutionising how we approach education and training in the workplace. AI can customise learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, offer predictive analytics for targeted training, and more. While integrating AI into organisations comes with challenges, such as costs and infrastructure needs, the benefits are undeniable. As AI technology evolves, its potential to transform training experiences further becomes even more exciting. Be sure to embrace the opportunities presented by using AI in L&D, exploring how it can be applied in your own organisation to stay ahead.

If you’re looking for a powerful eLearning platform to help with your training strategy, Lingio is here to help. At Lingio, we're committed to transforming employee training by offering flexible, mobile-based AI courses catering to various learning needs. Incorporating AI, gamification, and customisation, our courses provide powerful, engaging, and relevant content for staff. Whether used for skills training, leadership development, or employee orientation, Lingio delivers an inclusive and adaptable learning platform. We invite you to request a Lingio demo today and start your journey of creating compelling company training courses and programs for your employees.

FAQs on AI in learning and development:

What’s the best use of AI in learning and development?

One of the best uses of AI in L&D is its ability to personalise the training experience. AI can analyse each individual’s learning style, pace, and performance, tailoring the training content to suit their needs. This ensures learners receive the most relevant and engaging training material, boosting retention and understanding. Additionally, AI can automate administrative tasks like grading and scheduling, allowing educators and trainers to focus more on teaching and less on logistics. Moreover, AI's capabilities in predictive analytics can identify potential knowledge gaps and offer proactive learning solutions, making the entire training process more efficient and effective.

Can an AI tool create a training program?

Yes, an AI tool like Lingio that utilises the power of natural language processing and other AI technologies can create training courses and programs. AI software can identify employee learning gaps, particularly those focused on analysing and interpreting data. By assessing these gaps, AI software can create training courses and programs to address specific areas where learners need improvement. This bespoke approach ensures that the training is practical, targeting the audience's needs, and filling crucial knowledge gaps with precision and efficiency.

How can data privacy be ensured when using AI L&D tools?

As a user of AI L&D tools, you can ensure data privacy by familiarising yourself with the tool's data usage policies, exercising control over your personal information, and choosing platforms that prioritise strong encryption and access controls. Always ensure compliance with data protection laws like GDPR and utilise privacy settings to manage your data effectively.

Sources:

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