The influence of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our work practices. With the ongoing advancement of this technology, businesses are actively seeking ways to harness its advantages to enhance efficiency, boost productivity, and foster innovation.
The scope of AI extends beyond product development, customer support, and marketing. It is reshaping how learning and training teams build programs, increase efficiency, stimulate engagement, and assess efficacy. In this article, we will delve into the realm of generative AI (GenAI) and explore its applications within training and learning and development (L&D) departments.
What is GenAI?
Traditionally, AI has primarily focused on problem solving and decision-making tasks, such as pattern detection and anomaly identification. However, there exists a branch of artificial intelligence known as generative AI, which possesses the unique ability to generate entirely novel content that has never been seen before. This form of AI is capable of synthesizing new knowledge based on the information it has already acquired.
GenAI finds numerous applications across various domains. It can effortlessly create diverse types of content, including essays, stories, blogs, and Q&As. It can also answer questions, build graphs from spreadsheet data, generate images, and re-engineer existing content.
Despite its remarkable capabilities, generative AI does have limitations. It is unable to infer or extrapolate information beyond what it has been explicitly provided. When utilizing this technology, it is crucial to be precise and specific about the desired output. The AI model must be fed with appropriate subject matter expertise, as it lacks the ability to determine what is accurate or erroneous on its own.
Learning content generation capabilities
From the perspective of corporate learning, generative AI proves to be an excellent tool for building training content. Generative AI offers the capability to synthesize training content based on the provided material, that follows processes typically used by instructional designers and technical writers when developing training materials or documentation.
Where you can really see the efficiency is in its processing power. Generative AI can efficiently create new content from multiple sources and documents, in a fraction of the time it would take a human.
Another benefit of GenAI is that it immune to writer’s block. Its internal models tell it where to start, how to build content and can generate many suggestions. This empowers learning departments to promptly address training needs and create comprehensive programs that yield tangible results.
It is important to note, though, that generative AI does not replace humans; rather, it enhances human productivity. While AI can provide suggestions, it is essential for humans to validate and augment the content generated by the AI system.
Why use generative AI for training and development
In today’s fast-paced world, development cycles have become so rapid that by the time new versions of products hit the market, the training materials and documentation accompanying them are outdated.
Generative AI allows training and development teams to keep up. Not only does it expedite the content creation process, it also is able to generate fresh content that is aligned with the resources provided, the learning objectives and topics covered in each course.
This dynamic approach contributes to a more personalized and engaging learning experience, allowing you to create learning materials that cater to the individual needs and preferences of your learners.
What to look for in a GenAI tool
When evaluating a generative AI tool for course development, it’s important to consider several key factors.
- Purpose-built: Look for a tool that is trained to build training content, and can support the development of content for eLearning, videos, instructor-led training (ILT), microlearning and more.
- Capabilities: Determine what training formats are available, what kind of assessment questions can be created, whether there are any content update features and any other features that will speed up your course creation process.
- Protect your information: Look at the base content generation capabilities and options. Select a tool where you control the content that is used to build the training content. This will enable you to build company- and product-specific content.
- Import options: Ask which document formats can be imported, such as Word documents, HTML pages and presentations.
- Output options: Look for tools that support output formats such SCORM, xAPI and CMI5 so the content is compatible with most off-the-shelf learning management systems (LMSs).
- Customization: Determine if the tool allows you to select content modality, create learning paths, apply branding, identify difficulty level, or question types.
- Look-and-feel: Look for a tool that allows you to define the style and branding.
- Data privacy and security: Look for features like access control that allows the tool to adhere to data protection regulations and handles sensitive information appropriately.
- Integration and compatibility: Ensure that the tool can integrate or export content to your preferred LMS or other platforms.
- User-friendly interface: Check to see if the tool is easy to use for the intended users, including those who may not be formally trained as instructional designers.
- Support and documentation: Look for things like online help, email support and even personalized training options.
- Cost and value: Evaluate the pricing structure, licensing models, and any additional costs associated with using the tool. When looking at the benefits or ROI, not only consider the amount of time saved in the learning content creation process but also the corporate benefits of delivering customer, employee, sales and partner training in a timely manner.
- Don’t forget to demo the tool with your content! Also verify that the speed, output, and the quality of the content meets your expectations.
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LEAi and its generative AI capabilities
You could have an incredible product or solution, but if you can’t train and enable your stakeholders in a way that can scale your organization is going to struggle. Generative AI tools offer the ability to quickly scale your training, learning and development programs.
There are many generative AI-enabled tools in the market, and it is important to find the right one to meet your unique needs. Don’t be swayed by a generic online demo, instead ask for a personalized demo with your own data so you can see whether it will work with your resources and content.
LEAi was built specifically for training and learning departments to generate learning content using existing resources and subject matter expert knowledge. It can generate content for any type of training beyond just eLearning including instructor led training (ILT), knowledge base articles, virtual class content, presentations, webinars and videos using content your subject matter experts have already created.
You don’t have to be a training expert to use LEAi. Simply import your documents, presentations, or videos and LEAi will convert it into learning content that follows best practices – in minutes. If you are considering using AI in your corporate training program and you need expertise to help you get going fast, drop us a note!