In today’s technology-driven landscape, reskilling is no longer a luxury but a necessity for organizational survival. Yet, traditional learning methods are proving inadequate, costly, and sluggish in adapting to swiftly evolving skill demands. The role of technology has become critical in reshaping learning experiences, as well—a cycle of new tech is driving the need for training, and effective employee education requires new tech to train teams. In short, organizations must embrace emerging learning and development (L&D) technology to future-proof learning. When so much is changing, it’s easy for employees to default to “survive” mode, moving at full speed ahead with a high level of anxiety. Providing effective L&D experiences can help teams switch from “survive” to “thrive,” deepening engagement and unlocking agility across the organization.
As the technology landscape rapidly evolves, it’s becoming increasingly necessary for organizations to adapt their learning strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Traditional learning methods may be slow to keep pace with the accelerating demand for new skills. This necessitates the adoption of emerging L&D technologies that can deliver more personalized, adaptive, and engaging learning experiences more quickly. By embracing cutting-edge solutions, organizations can empower their workforce to thrive in an era of constant change.
Curate a GenAI-Enabled workforce
It’s hard to avoid the dialogue around generative artificial intelligence (genAI) and how it can empower professionals to streamline processes and enhance workflows. Tailoring learning and development programs to equip employees with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-augmented workplace is a first step. This first step should be tied to hands-on use of an approved genAI solution for which your company has already developed guidelines to clarify its use cases. By implementing action-based learning, programs can be designed around what teams actually will be doing, providing the opportunity to practice and understand the use cases and benefits right away. Having a hands-on experience will both accelerate the learning process and further engage employees, showing them how AI may enhance their day to day rather than “displace” them along the way. It’s important for leaders to tailor training to the specific use cases teams will have in their daily work to help give them a sandbox environment in which to test and learn. Show them that the company is investing in their development and skill set to continue to contribute as technology evolves. This will reduce any potential rumors, fears, or concerns over how genAI can and should be used across teams. Communication is key during this process so employees are clear on where, when, and how the technology should be used in alignment with company guidelines.
Leverage Technology as a Training Tool
Technology-enabled L&D teams sometimes can be among the least appreciated, yet most important, parts of an organization. They’re able to help streamline processes, track progress against benchmarks, and improve organizational adaptability. With so much of our lives centered around technology, it would be a lost opportunity not to lean into these training initiatives. While there will always be great value in live, in-person sessions, some skills and training needs are more effectively delivered through technology. Regulatory and compliance trainings, technology-specific skills, and more assessment-driven skills testing, for example, are more efficient and often more effective when led by online programs. In today’s work environment, many workers are computer-centered, so meeting them where they are to provide certain L&D experiences online is a great way to generate engagement among employees and move forward training initiatives flexibly.
Consider the Role of GenAI in Personalizing Learning Tracks
Many solutions today are embedding genAI into their technology, and this incorporation can be used to your advantage. Online training and education platforms already leveraging it can help your organization anticipate skills gaps and create opportunities for employees to bridge them proactively. Shifting from “defense” to “offense” by allowing genAI to personalize learning tracks to best meet employee and organizational needs can lead to stronger outcomes over time—in a more time- and resource-friendly way. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely allows you to meet learning or business objectives because each of us is unique in the way we learn and operate, so taking advantage of genAI to tailor learning programs will only help meet goals.
With business priorities shifting, embrace the opportunity to create a technology enabled workforce. L&D is a great area in which to get started because it helps build skills and agility, while also building confidence among employees and accelerating the transition period that often comes during the onset of a larger initiative. Curating a genAI-enabled workforce, leveraging technology as a training tool itself, and exploring ways to personalize training through genAI can help your organization activate in the web of “training needed because of technology changes” and “using technology for training” in an impactful way.
