Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping how organizations approach learning and development. It offers ways to make learning more personalized, efficient, and engaging. Marc Zao-Sanders, an expert in learning technology, offered insights on how L&D leaders can effectively implement this technology in the latest episode of L&D in 20.

Sometimes, creativity stalls because the right tools or prompts are missing. GenAI can help employees generate new ideas, simplify complex concepts, and explore fresh approaches to challenges. It’s a supportive tool for breaking through mental roadblocks and can be used to brainstorm solutions during team workshops or develop visuals to explain technical topics more clearly.

When prompted and implemented correctly, GenAI can enable personalized training by adapting content to individual skills, roles, and goals that match the individual learner. To take it a step further in prompting, adding in a brand voice or regional nuances that relate to your employees' experiences can make a difference in not just engagement, but retention of the information covered as well. This tailored approach ensures employees find value in the material. For example, an AI tool could suggest bite-sized courses on leadership skills for a new manager or deep-dive technical lessons for an engineer, specific to your organization.

AI can provide on-demand guidance and support without judgment, creating a safe space for employees to practice skills, explore ideas, or ask for feedback. It’s not about replacing human mentorship — it’s about adding another layer of support. An employee preparing for a presentation could use AI to refine their delivery or gather tips for overcoming stage fright. When we train AI to act like, and endorse it as a colleague or mentor, employees will begin to feel comfortable asking more personalized questions.

Rather than tracking how many courses employees complete, measure how new skills impact their work. Start small — pilot AI tools on tasks that directly contribute to business outcomes, and refine based on results. If your organization provides a service, use AI to train customer service teams and measure changes in response times or satisfaction ratings for quantitiative outcomes.

Understanding government and organizational AI policies is crucial from an ethical and safety point of view. New technology always comes with risks we need to be aware of, and AI is no different. Ensure any tools you use meet standards for data privacy and fairness, and are reviewed by the correct teams if they're a third-party product. Addressing risks upfront helps build trust among employees and leadership, and that starts with proper education. Partner with IT or compliance teams to audit tools and confirm they align with ethical guidelines. Then, build in AI ethics courses into your L&D programs. Go1 has multiple content providers offering AI courses today!

AI can handle repetitive tasks, like summarizing notes or analyzing trends, freeing employees to focus on more meaningful work. Offer training sessions to show how these tools can make daily tasks easier. Then, use AI to generate training session summaries as a takeaway to show the power of the tool straight away.

You can create truly personalized development plans at a faster rate with GenAI. Use it to identify gaps in skills and recommend specific training paths for each employee. AI could pinpoint an employee's need for negotiation skills and recommend a mix of videos, practice exercises, and reading materials.

It’s natural to feel unsure about AI, especially with its rapid advancements. One challenge is measuring intangible outcomes like confidence or curiosity. Using progress tracking and engagement metrics is a great starting point. Look for patterns in how employees apply their training at work and refine your AI strategies based on those insights.

Generative AI is more than a buzzword — it’s a tool to help employees thrive and organizations adapt. By starting with small, practical steps and keeping your team’s needs in mind, you can make AI a meaningful part of your L&D strategy.

For more on the topic of incorporating storytelling into business strategies and employee training, be sure to check out L&D in 20 Episode 3: AI use cases for personalizing learning and measuring impact with Filtered’s Co-Founder and CEO Marc Zao-Sanders

Episode 3 - AI use cases for personalizing learning and measuring impact

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From personalized learning paths to AI mentors, L&D leaders using GenAI will learn practical implementation tips in this article.

Practical tips for integrating AI into L&D strategies

Learning and development is changing rapidly, which means training that worked a year ago—or even a month ago—may no longer be an effective solution. Gone are the days when the same training content could be assigned to every employee.  

Today, personalized and targeted learning programs are becoming the norm, offering a tailored approach that benefits both individual employees and your organization as a whole. 

Understanding the importance of personalized training and implementing a targeted L&D program is crucial for unlocking potential within your team. Keep reading to learn how you can maximize your business’s impact through your learning and development offerings. 

Boost engagement and retention with personalized learning paths 

Every employee brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, and learning preferences to your organization. When harnessed correctly, your workforce’s diverse talents can become your company's greatest asset. 

So how do you take advantage of the wide-ranging skills represented on your team? The answer is simple— play to your workforce’s strengths with personalized learning paths! 

Personalized learning ensures each employee's training is as relevant and effective as possible. By providing employees with custom learning content based on their current roles, career goals, and proficiency levels, organizations see dramatic increases in engagement and retention of information. This isn't surprising—after all, when training is relevant to employee needs, learners are more likely to be invested and apply what they've learned to their work. 

There are many different ways to personalize learning. For example, because we know that different generations have different learning preferences, you might provide a series of microlearning courses for younger employees and one longer course for older employees. You may also find courses available in multiple languages to make engagement easier for employees whose first language differs from the rest of your workforce. 

Research shows that employees are up to 60% more engaged when presented with personalized courses instead of standardized training. The benefits here are twofold: while employees are more likely to enjoy and engage with their learning experiences, your organization will benefit from a more knowledgeable and effective workforce. 

Take advantage of AI to align career goals with company needs 

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a key player in learning and development programs, and leveraging AI in L&D allows you to take customization to the next level.  

With AI-enhanced learning, algorithms analyze learners' interactions, performance, and preferences while using the platform or service to recommend content that not only closes skill gaps but also helps the employee make progress toward their personal and professional goals. 

Your options for AI tools are expanding every day. Go1’s AI-powered learning content, for example, enables personalized learning at scale by providing valuable insights and learning content that resonates with employees’ current roles and future aspirations. You might also consider using GenAI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to help you conduct market research and analyze skill gaps, get recommendations for relevant courses to include in specific learning paths, and help your team quickly provide training to your workforce. 

Regardless of which AI tools you choose to use, the efficiency they’ll add to your workflow will help you deliver targeted content to your team and ensure each moment employees spend learning is as productive as possible. 

Address skill gaps through targeted training 

The rapid pace of technological and economic changes in our modern world means we’re continually becoming aware of new skill gaps. The good news is, targeted training initiatives can effectively combat this constant flux in necessary workforce skills and empower employees to master the competencies they need to expand and strengthen their skillset.  

By conducting thorough skills gap analyses, companies can pinpoint the exact areas that need development—whether technical skills, soft skills, leadership abilities, or industry-specific knowledge.  

Determining which skill gaps exist in your company doesn't need to be complicated. Simply review your business goals and consider what skills are needed to achieve those goals. Then, look at the skills your organization excels at and pinpoint where your team is lacking. You might do this by analyzing job descriptions for current and future roles to identify required skills or evaluating your LMS usage data to determine which skills employees are searching for and consuming 

Finally, develop tailored training programs to help employees learn the skills your organization needs to succeed. This will enable a workforce that isn’t just capable but is also agile and prepared to adapt to changing market demands. 

The results speak for themselves. Organizations that implement targeted training initiatives often report enhanced performance and productivity among employees and teams. By investing in targeted training today, you're setting your company up for a stronger tomorrow. 

Employees who recognize that their employer is investing in their personal growth naturally have increased job satisfaction and company loyalty. Training programs that directly benefit your workforce’s career advancement are clear indicators to employees that they are valued and appreciated for their individual contributions to the organization. 

As a result, personalized and relevant training positively impacts employee morale and productivity. Employees who receive targeted, role-specific training often report feeling more confident and motivated in their jobs, which translates to better performance. Additionally, this sense of fulfillment can reduce turnover rates, improve retention, and create a positive cycle of learning and development. 

The movement toward personalized and targeted training reflects a broader shift in workplace culture—one that values the individual, recognizes the diversity of skills and learning styles present in the workforce, and seeks to harness that diversity for the collective good of the organization. L&D professionals who grasp and implement these methods aren’t just teaching—they’re paving pathways for continued organizational growth. 

For businesses serious about increasing their impact, investment in personalized and targeted training isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a need-to-have.  

By focusing on the unique learning needs of individual employees, companies enhance their collective strength and prepare themselves for a continually shifting future. So, prioritize personalized learning to create a smarter, stronger, and more satisfied workforce that’s prepared to tackle whatever new challenges come your way.

For more insights, subscribe to the Go1 newsletter to stay on top of all the latest L&D trends. Or, you can book a demo today to discover how Go1 can help with your team’s learning needs. 

Ditch the one-size-fits-all approach! Learn about the benefits of personalized learning paths, AI-powered recommendations, and targeted training initiatives that address specific skill gaps and unlock individual potential.

The power of personalized training for maximum impact

Helping you reach your training goals with the latest insights, trends, and advancements in L&D

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