Preferred Learning In The Modern Workplace

In the modern workplace, how employees learn has morphed into many forms; however, the most obvious is by using a combination of digital courses, dashboards, generalized Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots, and peer-to-peer interactions. Managers simply use a micromanaging approach to corporate learning. When asked about their preferred learning method, employees typically have strong subjective opinions about chatbots and virtual assistants to learn from. On the other hand, most would agree that the best learning experiences they receive are from another person (peer or manager/mentor) at work.

Nonetheless, employees do not view learning via technology and learning via human connection as separate; rather, they believe that the gap between these two forms of learning is closing, and the next evolution of learning ecosystems will be of an amalgamation of both. In this article, we will explore the principal reasons for this evolution in the workplace.

Integrating Human Learning With AI Precision

The integration of human learning systems and Artificial Intelligence is a natural evolution in response to evolving expectations for retraining and adjustment to workplace changes. The new workforce structure requires all employees to have access and the ability to create their own personalized learning experiences by easily requesting information on demand. The human element provides experience, emotional intelligence, and contextual understanding, while AI allows for applying learning systems at scale with more precise applications and the ability to apply evidence-based or personalized learning using AI technology.

The ability to access information quickly has caused a paradigm shift in how employees learn, due to their ability to receive immediate feedback from their virtual coaches compared to waiting for instruction from their manager during an instructor-led class, or the time it takes to wait for their manager’s feedback regarding a project they worked on together. Thus, the workforce is now able to learn while completing their actual job duties because of the removal of barriers to accessing relevant and up-to-date information. Using AI in the workplace can help track an employee’s performance, identify areas where that employee lacks the necessary knowledge, and suggest tailored learning materials based on their performance.

Ultimately, however, it’s up to the human mentor in the workplace to help learners use, apply, and interpret these pieces. In addition to helping learners, the combination of AI and human mentoring can provide faster and deeper retention of both knowledge and the associated skills needed to perform in that role. As a result, employers must adapt to remain competitive in this new way of delivering training.

Why We Still Prefer Learning From Humans

Even though we live in a technology-driven world, the natural urge to learn about and from other humans remains strong. The same traditional ways of learning, through observation, imitation, and story-telling, continue to be very effective ways of learning in the workplace:

1. An employee shows their peers something innovative that they did, which is not included in any textbook or online resource.
2. A manager assists an employee in preparing for difficult conversations with clients over the phone.
3. A team member provides you with a quick two-minute overview of how to navigate a process that could take an hour or two to complete using a training tool.

AI-based learning assistants are more than just Q&A platforms. Bots have evolved to be learning coaches for many types of service.

How AI Bots Enhances Workplace Learning

1. Questions/answers
   Gives you an instant answer to your difficult to simple questions.
2. On-demand microlearning
   Offers instant access to hundreds of micro lessons available anytime.
3. 24/7 access
   One can avail AI coach anytime round the clock without any time limitations.
4. Personal recommendations
   Provides recommendations based on your current job role, skills, and career goals by filtering and analyzing the other combinations.
5. Support that is scalable and consistent
   AI bots are designed to solve problems associated with learning, they were designed to provide speed and access where employees have difficulty.

According to a Gartner study, employees are more likely to continue to learn when they have access to AI-powered nudge reminders and micro lessons.

Conclusion

With the rise of the bot as an instructional tool, you might be tempted to think that you will have to choose whether to train with a bot or a human. But, in fact, you can benefit from both. Bots are fast; they give you immediate access to information. Humans give insight into the information and help you understand the meaning of what you learned. When they work together, they create the ultimate training program in corporate training.