Artificial intelligence has sparked a revolution across various industries, changing how we navigate tasks and respond to challenges. Undoubtedly, the field of learning and development is no exception, and we must ask ourselves: What does this shift signify for learning pioneers and their strategies? How does AI impact the experience of our learners?
The usage of AI in your organization might not be a new concept. You might have already deployed it to some extent for improving efficiency and streamlining workflows. Yet the real magic happens when AI directly influences the learner’s experience. With a touch of AI, the potential to enhance self-paced eLearning modules and respond intelligently to user inputs and behavior is immense.
Let’s consider what could be accomplished with AI-enhanced self-paced e-learning modules: They could interact intelligently with user inputs, adjust according to their behavior and even provide coaching on soft skills, all while nudging them on the right learning paths. And the best part? This can all be achieved at scale from your existing learning management systems, with the very same rapid authoring tools your team is already comfortable using. All it takes is just a smidgen of technological enhancement.
Some applications
Consider the possibilities that are within our reach, right at this moment. Here are some examples:
Imagine transforming your compliance training, where the cost of failure is high and e-learning provides the only scalable, measurable means to familiarize everyone with policies. With AI, you can completely revamp this experience. Instead of learners passively absorbing information, they can interactively respond to a policy and capture their understanding or application of it in a paragraph. AI takes on the role of a teacher, comparing their comprehension with the company policy and providing customized, actionable insights, thereby enhancing the learning outcome.
AI can also be a powerful aid to augment your coaching strategies. Imagine having an AI module integrated within your coaching e-module, granting all employees access to a reliable, confidential and readily available coach. This virtual coach, designed within pre-defined parameters set by your instructional design team, can guide employees through tricky scenarios and support them in their learning journey.
Soft skills or interpersonal skills training can also share in a transformative shift with AI integration. For instance, consider a conflict management course where AI plays the part of an angry customer. This provides users with an unscripted conversation experience, much akin to real-life scenarios, boosting their learning experience significantly. This innovative approach isn’t confined to conflict management but can be extended to innumerable areas. New managers, for instance, could use this realistic simulation to practice crucial skills like delegation or delivering performance feedback, thus enhancing their preparedness for real-life situations.
AI also enables the creation of authentic, scalable assessments. Whether it’s drafting an email in an email effectiveness course or preparing a work schedule in a project management module, AI can provide a holistic evaluation of learners’ performance and deliver insightful, actionable feedback. But that’s not all. AI can also generate a personalized, in-depth report for each learner based on their pre-and post-course competency assessments, further enriching their learning journey.
The possibilities are endless. In a recent study by Stanford and MIT, AI’s integration into daily operations boosted worker productivity by 14 percent, underlining the impressive return on investment offered by this technological advancement.
Getting started
There is a misconception among many decision makers that this would entail a host of new tools and potentially expensive platforms. It doesn’t have to be! The majority of these applications utilize AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT, all of which can be securely incorporated into your existing authoring tools without causing a dent in your budget.
Getting started is often the hardest part. Ideally, your team is already exploring AI tools. So, making the extension into self-paced modules is a logical next step. Start small with a pilot program, informing learners about the embedded AI. You’ll find that they will be keen to experiment with it, turning this into an engaging and exciting learning experience. The analytics garnered from this interaction can provide a wealth of insights into how AI responds and influences learner behavior.
Another big question I always get is about security when integrating AI tools such as ChatGPT within tools like Storyline or Captivate. Indeed, security should always be a priority, both in terms of user data and technicalities. The good news is that there are good, technical answers available for these concerns. Seek expert advice during your first implementation to ensure a secure and robust system.
Connection with learning science
One essential thing to remember: While AI is a revolutionary tool, it doesn’t replace the fundamentals of adult learning. It serves as an enhancer — a means to elevate your well-structured learning design — fostering a new level of engagement and education at a surprisingly affordable cost.
By integrating AI into your learning strategies, you’re not just adopting a new technology, you’re pioneering the convergence of advanced technology and learning science. This marriage of disciplines promises to create highly impactful learner experiences. By integrating AI, you are leveraging the intersection of advanced technology and learning science to create impactful learner experiences. You are pioneering the application of generative AI within your organization’s asynchronous e-learning environment. Stay ahead of the curve and embrace the future of learning.
