AI: Artificial Intelligence. Sounds ominous, doesn’t it?

Visions of robots taking over classrooms and HAL9000 dispensing wisdom with a chilling monotone.

But hold on, before you hit the panic button, let’s reframe the conversation.

What if AI, instead of replacing human instructors, became their ultimate teaching assistant?

Well, in the world of learning and development, that’s not such a “sci-fi” idea you know.

Benefits for the learner.

Imagine a training programme that moulds itself to your needs. AI can analyse your strengths, weaknesses, and learning preference, then curate a personalised curriculum that keeps you engaged and challenged. No more one-size-fits-all lectures!

• Craving interactive simulations? AI whips them up on demand.
• Need a quick knowledge refresh? An AI chatbot is just a chat away, dispensing bite-sized learning nuggets 24/7.

And what about knowledge embedding and retention? Spaced-repetition tools like our very own BentoBot are already identifying individual knowledge gaps, and only serving up the content that users need to revise.

Continuous improvement.

But AI isn’t just about customisation. It’s a data-driven powerhouse, analysing every click, swipe, and quiz score to understand how well the training is actually working.

• Are people getting stuck on a specific module? Or does everyone struggle to answer the same question? AI flags it, prompting an instructor to intervene.
• Is a particular topic confusing? AI rewrites it in a clearer, more engaging way.
• What about translation? AI has your back there too.

It’s like having a real-time feedback loop, continuously improving the learning experience for everyone.

I still don’t like it.

Now, hold your horses, the skeptics might cry…

Won’t AI turn us into mindless drones, reliant on machines for knowledge? Absolutely not!

AI is a tool, a powerful one, yes, but still a tool. The human touch remains indispensable.

AI can guide the way, personalise the journey, and analyse the results, but it’s the passionate instructors, the inspiring mentors, who ignite the spark of curiosity and fuel the fire of learning.

But, surely, using AI is just “cheating” isn’t it?

Well, the answer to that one has to be “sometimes”;

When AI skirts the line:

• Passing off AI-generated work as your own: This is akin to plagiarism in an academic setting. If you use AI to write an essay or complete a training module without understanding the material or critically engaging with it, that’s unethical… and ultimately detrimental to your learning.
• Using AI to gain an unfair advantage: Imagine using an AI-powered cheat sheet during a certification exam. That’s not learning, it’s shortcut-taking that undermines the purpose of the training and devalues the achievement.
• Over reliance on AI: When you depend solely on AI to guide your learning journey, you miss out on the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that human interaction nurtures. Remember, AI should be a tool, not a crutch.

When AI becomes a valuable ally:

• Personalised learning: As already mentioned, AI can personalise training content and pace to your individual needs, making the learning process more engaging and effective. This isn’t deception, it’s smart utilisation of technology to optimise individual learning.
• Knowledge reinforcement and gap identification: AI can analyse your progress and pinpoint areas where you need more practice. This allows you to focus your efforts and ensure you truly grasp the material, not just cram for exams.
• Skill development through simulations and feedback: AI-powered simulations can provide safe environments to practice skills and receive immediate feedback on your performance. This is a valuable tool for learning and improving without real-world consequences.

Ultimately, the key is intentionality and responsible use.

AI should be used to augment your learning, not replace it. You should actively engage with the material, critically analyse the AI’s suggestions, and ultimately own your learning journey.

Sure, there is a lot of domesday scenarios being banded about, but let’s ditch the fear and embrace the future of learning, where AI and humans work hand-in-hand, making the journey of development more personalised, more efficient, and most importantly, more exhilarating than ever before.

This isn’t a takeover, it’s a transformation.

AI isn’t the enemy of learning, it’s the ultimate study buddy. So, let’s learn from the machines, grow with them, and together, build a brighter future for our learners.

And the next time you hear “AI in training,” put down your pitchforks and pick up your curiosity.

It’s about embracing technology to create a smarter, more engaging, and ultimately more effective learning experience for everyone.

And isn’t that something we can all get behind?

P.S. Yes, the image at the top is AI generated, but only gave the result I was after using the prompt: “A hyper realistic render of a robot delivering training via a laptop”

If you want to discuss this topic in more depth then you can connect with me on LinkedIn or drop me an email.