How Will AI *Actually* Transform Frontline Training?
Hello there!
Welcome back to another edition of Training the Frontline, your favorite source for all things frontline training.
In today's edition we're delving into the topic that's on everyone's mind in 2023: artificial intelligence.
There's a lot of buzz around new AI tools at the moment, but what's often not discussed is how this new technology will actually impact your day-to-day. What are the best ways to make use of AI in your L&D strategy? What are its limitations? Read on for our take on the matter.
Also in today's newsletter: the biggest frontline headlines, an insight into the biggest HR trends for 2023, and a look at how international energy and solutions company, Centrica Storage, is training their frontline workers.
Enjoying Training the Frontline? Remember to send us some feedback or leave your deep dive topic suggestions in the comments below ??
Thanks for reading,
The eduMe Team
Frontline news ??
- "The managing class has failed frontline workers", says Adrian Wooldridge (Bloomberg)
- Quarter of manufacturing workers think the sector has an image problem, report finds, but HR could help (People Management)
- Frontline retail workers are dissatisfied and disconnected from HQ, according to survey (Forbes)
Deep dive ??: How will AI transform the world of frontline training?
The launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT last November has brought AI tools fully into the mainstream, ushering in a new wave of excitement around the potential of artificial intelligence and the myriad of ways it could be used to increase productivity and efficiency.
The worldwide AI market is now predicted to grow by $120 billion by 2025, with big hitters such as Microsoft and Google investing heavily in the development of existing and future projects.
With so much buzz in the air, it's no surprise that 63% of companies plan to increase or maintain AI and machine learning spending in 2023.
Learning and development, in particular is a field that stands to benefit hugely from the potential of AI tools - especially those in charge of training and upskilling large, dispersed frontline workforces.
Studies have already shown that early adopters of AI and VR for their L&D programs have seen:
- 57% increase in efficiency
- 55% increase in safety
- 52% increase in productivity
- 47% complexity reduction
If you're looking to start incorporating AI into your frontline training strategy, however, it can be difficult to know where to start.
How can AI be used in an L&D environment? What are the best practices, and what should you be aware of?
Keep reading to find out.
What does AI mean for frontline training?
AI can assist humans by completing menial administrative tasks, interpreting data, predicting outcomes, and much more.
When it comes to the field of learning and development, AI can be used to optimize the creation, distribution and analysis of training content.
Though many in the industry are fearful that their jobs will eventually be replaced by AI, experts are confident that this isn't the case. Instead, they argue that AI should be seen as a useful assistant in the training process.
"Instead of replacing humans in the workforce, AI will complement people skills and redefine the specific tasks that comprise most occupations, increasing opportunity and output for nearly every industry and profession." - Tina Marron-Partridge, Talent Transformation at IBM
Creating effective training programs requires experience and nuance which - as it stands - simply cannot be replicated by a machine. What AI can do, however, is optimize processes and free up more time for your L&D teams so they can focus their energy on the tasks that matter.
What are the benefits of using AI in training?
- Increased productivity - AI can assist with tasks that are time-intensive but not high value, giving learning designers more freedom to focus on the bigger picture and enabling teams to create at a higher volume.
- More personalization - With AI, learners can be served content based on their role, department or even their behavior within your learning platform, resulting in an experience that is fully personalized to their needs.
- More intelligent insights - Leaning on clever AI tools to help you process learning data and recognize emerging trends will not only free up resources within your organization, but also ensure that your training strategy is data-backed and optimized for success.
- Reduced costs - In addition to scaling up your content creation process without the need to outsource, AI can also help your bottom line by identifying inefficiencies in your training program and helping you to optimize accordingly.
What are the limitations of AI?
- Ethical considerations - Organizaitions must ensure that their AI systems comply with relevant data protection regulations and are transparent about how data is collected, processed and used.
- Legal risks - Using AI for content creation can also raise legal considerations around copyright. To avoid legal issues, make sure that the system you're using has been properly licensed and only uses authorized content.
- Technical limitations - There may be a steep learning curve associated with this new technology, meaning your employees will need to be upskilled on how to use it effectively. Additionally, certain AI tools may require significant technical expertise to set up and maintain.
- Replicating the human touch - There are certain aspects of building a training program that require a human touch, and though AI can supplement these activities, it cannot fully replace them.
"There is a risk of over-reliance on AI in corporate training. While AI can provide valuable insights and recommendations, it is important to remember that it is just one tool in the training toolkit. Companies should not rely solely on AI and should also incorporate other training methods to ensure a well-rounded experience." - Veena K, Head of People Ops at FirstPrinciples
- To find out how you can start incorporating AI tools into your training strategy and maximize efficiency, read the full article here
Extra reading ??
7 Key HR Predictions for 2023 You Need to Know
The HR predictions for 2023 are in and they point to widespread, sweeping changes that will impact HR teams across all industries.
Global HR leader Josh Bersin’s HR predictions 2023 report outlines the key trends on the horizon. The verdict? HR professionals will need to be agile, adaptable and analytics-driven to keep ahead of the rapidly changing HR landscape this coming year. Read this blog to discover the top predictions for 2023.
What is Learning in the Flow of Work?: Definition, Best Practices & Examples
It’s no secret that effective training is key to business success. Giving your workers access to the right knowledge, at the right time, is essential to maintaining a productive and motivated workforce.
But, in today’s ecosystem, reaching employees is becoming more of a challenge. So, how can we deliver training in a way that cuts through the noise, and meets workers where they are? By leveraging learning in the flow of work. Read this blog to find out what LIFOW means, and examples of how it's been done in practice.
Join the conversation ???
In case you missed it, we recently teamed up with Centrica Storage to deliver engaging, bitesized safety training to their frontline workforce ??
We sat down with Centrica's Chief of Staff, Mike Orley, to find out why the international energy services and solutions company recently invested in eduMe.
Read the full interview below ??
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Want even more insights into the world of frontline training? Head to edume.com for more free resources ??