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The Impact of AI and Automation on Workforce Development Trends
Julia Suk
November 17, 2023

The Impact of AI and Automation on Workforce Development Trends

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Developments in AI technology have brought up several concerns regarding their impact on businesses and their workforce. Since the 1980s, technological development has displaced workers faster than it has created jobs. However, it is worth noting that 60% of workers are employed in jobs that did not exist in the 1940s. While technological change can be daunting, leaving workers in specific roles and fields redundant, it also opens up new opportunities for innovation.

This is where workforce development plays a crucial role. Workforce development means offering your employees opportunities for training, development, and continuous education, assisting them in upskilling or reskilling and progressing in their careers. 

The impact of AI and automation has set in motion trends in workforce development that aim to bridge the gap between automation and the human touch and address employee training needs in this new age. Further, AI in workforce development also addresses the increasing employee turnover with higher quitting rates, a wave of job-shifting, and the growth of hybrid work that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTWGusdoVfU

What are the Top 4 Innovative Technology Trends?

1. Improved Technical Skills

In the face of increasing employee turnover, employers across industries are more keen to find ways to retain employees. According to a report, more than 8 in 10 HR managers agree that workforce training plays a positive role in attracting and retaining talent. Further, the same report finds that more than 75% of employees say they are more likely to continue at a company that offers them continuous training. 

Continuous scope for workforce learning and development is particularly pertinent in tech-intensive industries. These industries have been affected by the growing demand for tech employees, leading to many employees quitting their jobs for more attractive ones. Moreover, industries like Fintech, health tech, etc., require specialized and continuous training since the roles are constantly growing alongside innovations in tech like AI.

Further, AI and automation integration directly impact learning development programs, as they enhance engagement and improve learning outcomes. Here are some crucial ways AI is impacting workforce education to enhance employees’ technical skills:

  • Personalized Learning: 77% of people in learning and development feel personalized learning significantly boosts employee engagement. AI can scan through an employee’s skills to determine knowledge gaps or suggest advanced resources depending on the learner’s level. Moreover, AI can align courses to employee’s unique learning styles (visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and more).
  • 24/7 Availability: In a traditional training program, employees would have to wait until a trainer resolved their queries to move on to the next step, wasting precious time. AI can speed up this process by accurately addressing these queries. Businesses can leverage AI chatbots to help learners get answers to the most common questions with minimal wait time. 
  • Instant Feedback: AI can extract key insights from assessments and further personalize the learning experience. For example, if AI detects a skill gap after scanning an employee’s assessment, it can provide relevant resources to help that employee strengthen their skills and knowledge in that area. 

Also Read: 9 Must-have Tools for Modern Workplace Training

2. Less Reluctance Towards AI and Automation

A major factor that makes employees reluctant to adopt AI and automation is that these emerging technologies are creating a completely new working world, which can be unfamiliar and daunting. Continuous workforce development helps overcome this fear by improving and updating technological understanding on an ongoing basis.

As seen above, AI significantly impacts how workforce training is conducted. In this case, AI can also equip employees with the technical skills and know-how to handle emerging technologies like AI itself. The rapid advancement of AI and automation also encourages upskilling in workforces as more administrative tasks can be performed by these technological tools.

Moreover, employers are increasingly looking to rely on internal talent, which means moving beyond upskilling to include reskilling existing employees and increasing internal mobility. Existing employees bring specific organizational experience and a unique, contextual understanding of the functioning of the workplace that complements AI and automation tools. Since AI and automation cannot yet compete with this human context, there is less risk of overlapping functions and their jobs being rendered obsolete. 

Also Read: 9 Techniques to Enhance Corporate Training Revenue Through Training Localization

3. Increased Scope

One of the key trends in workforce development is that it is becoming increasingly virtual. Instead of on-site or in-person training, eLearning or distance learning is becoming the norm. However, this comes with its own set of challenges, including:

  1. Lack of Motivation 
  2. Digital Illiteracy and Technical Issues
  3. Lack of In-person Interaction
  4. Abundant Distractions, Lack of Discipline

Artificial intelligence is crucial in overcoming these challenges and making online workforce training more accessible, interactive, and convenient. AI can be integrated with other technologies to provide a holistic and engaging learning experience for employees.

Augmented reality is one such technology. We can now incorporate 3D models, videos, and more into traditional textbooks using AR-enabled devices. AR allows employees to learn applied skills more effectively through practicing in simulations of real-world problems. An example of this is Gamified Augmented Reality. While AI can modify learning challenges according to how an employee can complete them, AR can create engaging visuals through which learners can dive deep into more complex subjects. 

Therefore, companies can boost interactivity and increase knowledge retention. As employees are better able to upskill and perform better through more accessible and effective training, repetitive and administrative tasks can be automated or conducted by AI tools. 

4. The Impact of AI Beyond Borders

eLearning localization is the next big trend in workforce development. As more businesses expand across borders, workforce learning must become increasingly global. However, mere translation of words is not enough; cultural context needs to be considered when localizing training materials. This includes fonts, symbols, colors, images, measurement units, idioms, etc. This is where AI can have a massive impact in streamlining localization strategies. 

Here’s how:

  1. AI can directly translate large pieces of content in a few minutes, making it faster and more cost-efficient. 
  2. Natural Language Processing (NLP) can analyze enormous amounts of data to understand the essence of the content, preserving the content’s intent during translation.
  3. AI works beyond text; it can quickly localize multimedia content like images, videos, and more. 
  4. AI can analyze data from local markets to gain insights into user behavior, trends, etc. It can help tailor training programs to the correct target audience, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions.

Conclusion

Integrating AI and automation into workforce development is not just a response to technological change but a proactive strategy to empower employees, foster innovation, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving world. Embracing these trends can help organizations bridge the gap between automation and the human touch, creating a more dynamic and adaptable workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Hurix Digital offers workforce learning solutions and management systems for companies and educational institutions. Our corporate learning solutions and training technologies cater to diverse requirements. In addition to leading in-class technology and software infrastructure, we offer uniquely customized digital solutions. 

Get in touch with us to know more!