The world is bursting with different types of learning approaches such as e-learning courses, coaching and mentoring programs, virtual or in-person instructor-led training, self-paced learning, and microlearning.
Yet, 81% of managers reported that these learning approaches fail to address the fundamental challenges of today’s global workforce – knowledge retention, digitally distracted, and a hybrid working world. Additionally, employers tend to offer either or rather than a variety of L&D options owing to the cost.
Hence, organizations should consider building AI- and Big Data- powered learning pathways.
Learning pathways are personalized goal-oriented maps designed to foster the professional development of an individual. This is not a new form of learning approach as each time knowledge and skills are shared by one employee with another – be it over communication and collaboration platforms – an informal learning pathway emerges.
Informal learning pathways tend to be chaotic as it does not clearly outline the skills, certifications, or education required for an employee to achieve their identified career aspirations and goals. Moreover, these informal exchanges are additional distractions to a workplace that is presently suffering from a proliferation of digital distractions.
By building a curated learning pathway powered by AI and Big Data, employers have the opportunity to address the fundamental challenges of their workforce.
AI-powered
“The future is the use of AI to build the intelligence infrastructure to radically reform the way we value our own human intelligence,” said Rose Luckin, Co-founder of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education and author of ‘Machine Learning and Human Intelligence: the future of education in the 21st century’.
AI enables employers to design curated learning pathways that address the skills gap and mismatch issue within their workforce. It also provides employees with the freedom to choose which of the available learning approaches best suits their preferred learning styles.
This creates a learning environment that cultivates a learner-driven culture that is likely to improve employee engagement and retention, and subsequently enhances the organization’s opportunity to achieve their short- and long-term business goals.
Big Data-powered
A learning pathway powered by Big Data can reduce the cost of L&D for organizations.
The large sets of data collected can provide employers with valuable insights into the skills gaps of their workforce and the learning behavior of each employee. Employers can also discover which courses are the most sought-after, courses that are least attractive, and the effectiveness of each course.
Subsequently, employers can identify the best learning content and approach for each employee. This personalized learning approach is known as adaptive learning.
As the world becomes more data driven, organizations should build AI- and Big Data-powered learning pathways as it will provide leaders and managers with real-time, data-driven insights on how to be better mentors or coaches to meet the learning needs of their employees and achieve the organization’s business goals.
