L&D AI: Help, not alternatives
Organizations have resorted to AI as they are looking for a more scalable way to train smarter, more scalable people. AI has become a best friend of the L&D team. This is to provide tools to adapt to learner needs, recommend content based on progress, and analyze engagement data. However, there is a common misconception that its widespread use will replace human educators and L&D professionals here. Is this true?
no. AI is here to support human expertise rather than replacing it. AI handles tasks such as data analysis and content recommendations, allowing humans to focus on educating, supporting and inspiration for learners. Instead of covering up humans, AI makes their role even stronger.
But it wasn’t always like that. Initially, L&D’s AI was primarily about automation, including automatic grade quizzes, scheduling management, and sending reminder emails. But now, AI doesn’t just perform tasks in the background. We work with L&D experts to improve the overall learning experience. For example, AI can now design content relevant to each learner based on past behavior, performance, and interests. You can highlight when someone is not working well and provide resources at the right time. Therefore, it does not make a decision, but rather suggests and informs. With the right tools, educators and L&D pros can focus on the human-centric part of learning. So let’s explore how AI can enhance L&D human expertise.
5 Ways AI to Strengthen Human Roles in L&D
1. Personalization
Not all learners are the same. Technical content may seem easy, but I struggle with soft skills. Others prefer videos over text or need more time to absorb new material. For years, the L&D teams have not been able to personalize their learning for everyone without spending so much time and resources. However, with AI, it is now possible. For example, if 1,000 employees have 1,000 employees to train at different roles, learning preferences, and skill levels, this means work for many days, then AI tools can help you do it right away. It can analyze learners’ behavior, progress and preferences in real time and recommend tailored content based on that. And this doesn’t mean you don’t need an L&D pro. Instead of spending time assigning content manually, you can focus on coaching and learner engagement. Furthermore, AI needs humans to set goals, provide context, and monitor outcomes.
2. Data Insights
The data for the study program has been changed. Previously, all we could do was track who completed what, how much it took, and perhaps their quiz scores. Today, thanks to AI, data is beyond that. AI can analyze patterns of learners’ behavior, point out when someone was released, and even predict who needs additional support. This will ensure that instructors and L&D experts know exactly when, where and how to intervene. The best part about this is that you no longer have to wait until the course is complete to assess its impact. Now you can update in real time. AI can show how learners interact with content. This is the module that is spending time and the module that is skipping. The L&D team can then use that data to improve the learning experience. But don’t forget the most important part of the context. AI may display the data, but it cannot explain why. From there, humans intervene. Trainers and education designers can check in with students and mentors and support them with empathy where the AI system cannot replicate.
3. Co-creating content
AI can become your creative assistant. Of course, it’s not a way to replace all your work with AI generated content. But you can help you brainstorm and enhance your own unique ideas. Whether you’re a corporate learner or a student, AI can also create outlines, generate multiple choice questions, and reuse old content with a fresh approach. This will give you more time to concentrate on craft content that connects with human-level learners. For example, if you are building a course on emotional intelligence, AI can help you map modules, suggest related resources, and generate exercises. But it doesn’t really understand your audience in your way. I don’t know what cultural traits of your team, your brand, or how your people like to learn. That’s where your expertise comes into play. Your role is to shape the content that AI gives you and ensure it is accurate, engaging and empathetic.
4. Soft Skills
When talking about L&D, there are skills that the systems and software simply cannot teach. We talk about soft skills such as empathy, ethical judgment, leadership, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. These are the skills that make us human, and no matter how smart our AI is, we can’t truly teach them. When it comes to understanding emotions, handling harsh conversations, and making decisions, there is a human element. For example, when it comes to empathy, AI may pick up the tone of email, but you can’t really feel what someone else is experiencing. AI can’t teach soft skills, but it certainly helps you do that. how? By identifying employees who need assistance in communication and decision making based on how they engage in the various modules. Or by providing simulations that allow learners to practice harsh conversations in a safe environment.
5. Human-centered learning
Learners are looking for conversations, related experiences and personal guidance. This is called human-centered learning and is about empathy, emotional intelligence, and context, all of which cannot be reproduced by AI. However, there are too many educators and L&D experts on the plate. Managing content, tracking learner progress, and keeping up with management tasks makes it difficult to find time to connect with learners. However, AI tools can handle these tasks and deal with logistics. This gives the L&D team and instructors plenty of time to connect with learners through discussion, one-on-one meetings and mentoring. So when we let AI take care of things that are everyday, we have more human moments.
Conclusion
No matter how smart an AI is, it cannot replace human expertise. The role of AI should focus on providing powerful insights, freeing you from repetitive tasks. This will give you time to work on your connections with learners, understand your needs, and create practically useful lessons. So, it’s okay to accept AI with L&D, but look at it as a partner and not a competitor. Let’s see how AI tools will strengthen you, keep learners at the heart of your learning program and see how your results will improve over time.
