It’s been reported that 47% of LMS platforms are expected to be equipped with AI capabilities by 2024 which would empower learning and development (L&D) teams to train the staff better while automating the error-prone and tedious administrative tasks.

The incorporation of AI in LMS platforms brings advantages such as personalized learning experiences, efficient management of training modules, and data-driven insights into employee performance and learning patterns.

These benefits are not just theoretical. Numerous organizations across various industries have already begun reaping the rewards of AI-powered LMSs.

In this article, let’s look at the four ways you can incorporate AI into your LMS to train your employees better, as well as examples of companies that have done so successfully.

1. Chatbots to assist employees.

Employees, especially new team members, often have numerous quick questions about workflows, operations and the company culture. Addressing these queries manually can be a tedious and time-consuming task for training teams, potentially leading to inefficiencies in business operations.

IBM has pioneered a solution to this challenge by utilizing its AI-powered chatbot, Watson. This innovative approach not only streamlines the process of responding to employee inquiries but also enhances overall efficiency.

With chatbots, employees can ask routine questions to learn more about their roles, daily tasks and deliverables, and receive immediate answers. This enables L&D professionals to shift their focus to more strategic tasks such as enhancing the work environment.

Furthermore, chatbots can be adopted by various sectors, from construction to health care, to help automate administrative tasks and streamline operations.

2. VR technology for immersive training.

Organizations can face challenges in providing consistent, high-quality and hands-on training to each employee, especially given the diversity of situations they may encounter on the job.

Walmart has innovatively addressed this challenge by incorporating virtual reality (VR) into its training programs.

In 2017, the company launched its Walmart Academy, offering a range of courses from introductory sessions for new personnel to professional growth programs. The integration of VR into these programs has transformed the training experience, making it more engaging and realistic.

For instance, trainees are placed in virtual scenarios that closely mimic real-life situations, such as the chaos of Black Friday, allowing them to practice and hone their skills in a controlled, repeatable environment.

Additionally, VR training has been shown to improve retention and test scores by 10-15%, even for those who only observed the training.

By leveraging VR technology, Walmart not only enhances the skills and confidence of its employees, but also sets a new standard in retail training, demonstrating the potential of VR in creating immersive, effective learning experiences.

3. Creating training videos.

Training videos, due to their engaging nature, make it easier for employees to learn about their roles, rights, and the company culture.

However, creating these videos, especially for global companies, presents several challenges: high production costs, the inflexibility of content updates, and the complexities of localizing content for different regions are significant hurdles.

Bosch, a global company, tackled these challenges by leveraging AI through a training video creation platform. The process involved creating bite-sized scripts, selecting from over 140 avatars in the tool, and integrating images and screen recordings into the platform’s built-in slides. This approach resulted in a 70% reduction in external video production costs and a 30% increase in learning engagement.

Moreover, the cost-effectiveness and scalability of this AI-driven method made it an ideal solution for a global company like Bosch, ensuring that their employees worldwide had access to high-quality, engaging, and up-to-date training materials.

4. Unbiased performance evaluations.

Employee performance reports can play a key role in identifying employees’ skills and knowledge gaps.

When L&D teams prepare managers to conduct performance reviews, they must consider a myriad of parameters, including employee achievements, skills development and overall contribution to the company.

As a result, this process can be particularly challenging for small teams, where L&D resources are often limited, and the risk of bias or inconsistency in performance evaluations is higher, making it difficult for companies to empower their employees.

Mothership, a digital media company based in Singapore, faced such challenges in its HR processes. The company sought a solution that could scale with their team and provide efficient, unbiased performance reviews. The company adopted a data-driven HR automation solution, to streamline its employee review process. The tool monitored various performance parameters, such as turnaround time and effective hours at work to provide time-efficient and unbiased employee reviews.

Consequently, Mothership gained visibility on which of its employees struggled to determine action plans to help improve their quality of work.

Best Practices to Incorporate AI Into Your LMS

Transitioning to an AI-enhanced learning management system (LMS) requires careful planning and execution.

Here are some tailored strategies to ensure a successful integration:

• Prioritize data security and privacy: As L&D and HR teams often handle sensitive employee information, it is essential to have clear data governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) regulations within the company. The GRC regulations will not only make the AI models more effective in tailoring the training sessions but also give your team members peace of mind about their personal data.
• Keep a human in the loop: While AI can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of LMS, it is advisable to keep human oversight, especially in the initial stages. This approach ensures that any anomalies or errors in the AI’s functioning can be quickly identified and rectified, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the system.
• Implement one change at a time: Implementing AI in LMS is a complex process that can be overwhelming if multiple changes are introduced simultaneously. It’s better to integrate AI gradually, focusing on one aspect at a time. This approach allows for better management of the transition and provides opportunities for feedback and adjustments.
• Assess your needs and conduct a cost-benefit analysis: Before integrating AI into your LMS, assessing how your organization can best leverage it and conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis is crucial. This will help determine the most beneficial AI applications for your LMS and ensure that the investment yields tangible returns in terms of improved learning outcomes and operational efficiency.

Wrapping Up: How to Create Better Employee Training

L&D can be greatly improved by incorporating AI-powered solutions into corporate training processes.

From IBM’s AI-powered chatbot Watson, enhancing employee assistance and operational efficiency, to Walmart’s innovative use of VR technology for immersive training, these examples underscore the diverse applications of AI in LMS.

While doing so, companies need to prioritize data security, maintain human oversight, implement changes incrementally, and conduct thorough needs and cost-benefit analyses.

Following these best practices will help ensure the successful and sustainable adoption of AI into your LMS, leading to enhanced learning experiences, operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.