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Intelligent automation couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, with traditional training modalities entirely outdated and overdue for a refresh. Everything from onboarding newbies to upskilling existing employees requires rethinking, and advanced automations are forcing HR’s hand.
This isn't a bad thing, as an organization's long-term success will ultimately depend on its adoption. But it does come with its own unique set of challenges.
Today’s Titanic Training Challenges
“We can summarize today's main challenges for companies regarding training under the term ‘inclusive reskilling,’” said Federico Isuani, partner and deep digital business director for the U.S. at global communications firm LLYC. “The task of retraining staff is becoming increasingly titanic because technical advances are so rapid that companies are incapable of offering simultaneous training programs.”
Compounding the problem is a recalcitrant workforce trending toward quiet quitting or reaching retirement age and unable to do so. This is a tough audience to inspire. So, when trainings are rushed and fail to connect workers in a practical way, even the most dedicated among them inevitably zone out — creating dangerous learning gaps as a result.
“This disconnect results in reduced productivity, higher attrition rates and low morale,” said Bipin Gaur, senior learning experience designer at the Learning Solutions Group. “When employees aren't optimally equipped for their roles, this can lead to errors, financial setbacks or reputational damage.”
He says in navigating these challenges, companies must be adaptive and innovative, ensuring that training programs are robust, relevant and reflective of the diverse needs of the modern workplace.
And most are certainly trying. In the past 6-12 months, corporate training has evolved considerably, with intelligent automation given an AI-powered boost.
The Automated Workplace Shows Promise
Intelligent automation has fused AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to streamline and enhance processes. It has transformed learning and development with increasingly personalized training, offering real-time feedback that can adapt content to individual learner needs.
But as this training personalization grows, there can be an inversely proportional impact on company culture. It creates “a disaffection with the company due to the absence of emotional ties with other colleagues,” explained Isuani.
Human connection is important, and workplaces — most now utilizing some form of flexible work — have less of it than ever. This naturally impacts internal communications, culture and the company’s bottom line.
Still, Gaur believes intelligent automation through AI has been a game-changer for corporate training. “It offers content curation capabilities to quickly surface relevant information, data analysis to identify areas of improvement and predict future training needs.”
He shared several relevant stats:
- IBM reported that companies implementing AI in their training programs witness a 30% reduction in training costs.
- An eLearning Industry study shows AI-powered personalized training programs generate a 60% higher retention rate compared to traditional training.
- Accenture research indicates AI-driven training can reduce training time by up to 50%.
- In a survey by Towards Maturity, companies that utilize AI in L&D initiatives experience a 20% learner engagement increase.
- Companies like Degreed use AI for better allocation of resources and tailored learning paths.
- A Deloitte report shared that companies implementing AI in training had a 15% increase in overall employee performance.
While these figures are impressive, they aren’t a death knell for in-person training, either. The tide is slowly adjusting toward seeing coworkers in-person, at least part of the time.
Related Article: AI Is Changing Learning & Development. Here's How
Hybrid & Happy
Isuani observed that in recent months, in-person conventions have gained strength, bringing back the opportunity to re-engage workers with team-building activities. As a result, he foresees a new generation of hybrid training programs in the near future.
These hybrid programs will require forward planning around data privacy, security and how to best balance this AI/human combo. Managing employee concerns and addressing reskilling anxiety are essential aspects of this transformation.
But Isuani is optimistic overall: “AI can be a tool to raise employee retention and happiness at work, increasing diversity and inclusion KPIs to levels we haven't seen before.”
Overcoming challenges is inevitable — as long as we keep ethical concerns in mind.
Overcoming Challenges & Ethical Considerations
If there is one consensus in the AI space right now, it’s that it’s not something that can be taken lightly. While speed to adoption can be a game-changer for innovators, there is wisdom in moving at a cautious pace.
“Those companies obsessed with reaching the AI stage in training risk skipping the previous stages of a training process framework and going directly to a tool that may not serve their purpose in terms of knowledge, inclusion (or even timeframes) and making them spend big budget on wrongly oriented strategies,” cautioned Isuani.
The need for significant initial investment and the potential resistance from employees present significant hurdles.
Gaur notes that it can save costs in the long run, but the initial investment required for infrastructure, tools and expertise can be high. He cited a study by Gartner that found 25% of businesses identifying steep upfront costs as a significant barrier to entry, and a 2019 PwC survey that saw 37% of workers worried about AI taking their jobs, which made them resistant to AI-based upskilling initiatives.
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One can only imagine how these feelings have increased in our ChatGPT age.
There are also ethical implications. “Relying on AI algorithms can sometimes lead to biases, especially if the training data is skewed,” Gaur said. “This can have implications on fairness, inclusivity and diversity in training.”
Of course, this is all dependent upon the data AI is trained on. Poor-quality data leads to irrelevant, biased and just subpar training materials — another reason why moving quickly and with care is advised. Companies must stay mindful of technology as it iterates.
“Those who consider generative AI just ‘The Special of the Day’ can be stuck in a disconnect between technology trends and employees’ knowledge to adopt them,” said Isuani. “The reality is that AI is an ally to improve training. It is not an end but rather the means that is now essential.”
Related Article: What HR Professionals Need to Know Before Investing in AI
Automating the Future
AI-powered intelligent automation is poised to revolutionize corporate training. Embracing it is not just a future trend — it's a strategic imperative to stay competitive.
But as things evolve, we’ll likely see two camps emerge: those heeding its call and those whose demise we’ll be dissecting and learning from in the coming years.
