AI in Learning and Development: Revolutionising the future of training

How AI is shaping the evolution of learning and development

Humans have always thrived by adapting quickly to changes in their environment, and there is little doubt if humankind had stood still and not embraced change, we wouldn’t exist today. Businesses operate on the same principle where to survive and thrive, they must evolve. This evolution typically occurs in a linear fashion, with gradual changes over time. However, there are moments of punctuated equilibrium, where long periods of stability are suddenly disrupted, necessitating rapid and transformative change to maintain success.

In Learning and Development (L&D), major disruptions began emerging in the 1990s, driven by advancements in technology. Traditional classroom learning gave way to e-learning, which evolved into virtual learning and learning management systems. The most recent disruptor has been the integration of learning directly into the flow of work.

Looking ahead, we see the next significant disruptor in L&D will be artificial intelligence (AI). Companies at the forefront of this AI revolution will be the first to reap its transformative benefits. However, keeping pace with the rapid advancements in AI is challenging. Partnering with a Learning and Development expert who understands cutting-edge training technologies will be crucial in leveraging AI to revolutionise how employees are trained and developed. This new era of AI in L&D promises not only to enhance training efficiency but also to unlock new opportunities for personalised and impactful employee development.

A new era of personalised learning

In the past, companies often relied on generic training programs designed to be rolled out across the organisation to address specific challenges. However, the effectiveness of these programs was inherently limited. While they accounted for the company’s overall needs, they lacked the flexibility to incorporate critical factors such as hierarchy, education levels, or geographical differences among employees.

AI is revolutionising this approach, offering exciting new possibilities to optimise training programs. Businesses can now fine-tune their training initiatives to achieve far greater effectiveness, saving both time and resources. With AI, training can be tailored not only by function or qualification but also in its delivery method and level of detail. For instance, the language used, tone of voice, and modality can all be adapted to suit the unique needs of individual employees, making the training more relevant, engaging, and impactful.

Mastery is the game changer

A key aspect of embracing AI in learning is adopting a new approach that not only makes training more immersive but also ensures individuals can effectively apply what they’ve learned once the training is completed.

The first critical step is to set the context for employees at the beginning by clearly outlining the training’s relevance to their specific role and its connection to their career development. Going a step further, providing motivational incentives, such as explaining how the training will benefit their career and improve relationships with colleagues, helps to engage learners before they even begin. By taking these simple steps, employees are more likely to approach the training with interest and attentiveness, recognising its importance to their personal growth.

Post-training engagement is just as essential as the training itself. Implementing systems to encourage knowledge retention can significantly enhance the training’s effectiveness. A “learn and try” approach, where employees practice new skills with peers, reinforces their learning and prepares them for real-world application. The final and most critical phase of the learning process is mastery, ensuring employees have fully integrated the skills into their everyday work and are capable of using them confidently.

Mastery is a game-changer in making learning truly effective. While individuals may respond well to classroom training, if they don’t apply what they’ve learned, the skills can quickly fade. Research shows that when a person undergoes training, they typically absorb only about 23% of the content, meaning much of the knowledge is forgotten, and their performance shows only minimal improvement. However, recall increases to 70% when training is repeated, something that, in reality, is often not feasible for companies due to the cost and time involved. A more effective and cost-efficient approach is to make mastery a central component of the training strategy, ensuring skills are reinforced and retained long-term.

AI transforms skills reinforcement

So, how can organisations ensure training remains effective long after it’s completed? The solution lies in leveraging an AI platform that allows learners to access the training program in real-time whenever they need it. This approach is revolutionising how employees can quickly revisit what they’ve learned and, more importantly, tailor it to specific business scenarios.

For instance, a person who has completed a sales training program may have forgotten key negotiation skills they need for an upcoming sales meeting. Rather than sifting through a generic, lengthy sales manual, they can simply access the AI engine and ask a specific question: “I’m about to meet a Buyer Director who’s offering a price that’s too low—how can I handle this?” Within seconds, the AI engine will reference the relevant training and provide tailored guidance, such as reminding the employee to set the scene, emphasise the value, and outline techniques to overcome objections.

This quick reinforcement of negotiation techniques ensures that forgotten skills are brought back into focus, making the employee more prepared, confident, and likely to achieve a better business outcome in the meeting.

This is a groundbreaking advancement in Learning and Development, as it nurtures mastery and long-term sustainability in ways never before possible. With this approach, there’s no longer a need to repeatedly go through the same training programs. Instead, individuals can easily revisit their training to review what they may have missed, accessing the most relevant information immediately, without the need to re-read lengthy training manuals.

Embracing cutting-edge AI technology

Tack TMI is also evolving to better support clients in improving their businesses by developing their own people, and it is doing so in several impactful ways. Firstly, Tack TMI is shaping the future of learning by embracing cutting-edge AI technology, positioning itself at the forefront of the next major disruption in training effectiveness. The goal is to demonstrate these innovative techniques, providing truly customised learning experiences that deliver measurable and impactful results.

Additionally, as part of the GI Group, Tack TMI is accelerating its global expansion. With offices in seven countries and the addition of new locations in Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile in 2024, Tack TMI is gaining a significant competitive edge, solidifying its position as a global leader in learning and development.

Finally, the success of Tack TMI’s new offices highlights the growing appetite for these innovative training programs. The positive outcomes confirm that Tack TMI is delivering exactly what businesses need to evolve and remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace.