Generative AI for Employee Training

Hendrik Cornelissen, Investment Team, Plug and Play Tech Center

As early-stage venture capital investors, we are constantly on the hunt for emerging trends across all sectors. Our goal is to identify startups that would significantly influence their industries over the next five years, this includes HR as well.

From Automation to Generation

Over the last few years, we have witnessed the widespread adoption of AI in the recruitment processes. Tools have emerged that enable the screening of thousands of job candidates in only a few seconds, significantly increasing efficiency. Or startups like Compiify, which streamlines employee compensation packages. However, with recent advancements, we are entering a new paradigm of AI. Besides only automating repetitive tasks, AI now has the ability to generate meaningful content as well. This gives rise to many new opportunities to implement AI in different ways.

Personalization for Training and Development

One of the most significant shifts brought by AI in HR is the ability to move toward personalized training programs. Traditionally, employee training followed a one-size-fits-all approach, disregarding individual skill levels, learning speed, and preferences. Personalization can significantly boost engagement and effectiveness, but until now, it has been too time-consuming for HR departments to come up with personalized learning programs for each employee.

Training can be personalized in different ways with AI. One option is to curate training material for a specific employee based on their skills, comparable to a recommendation algorithm Netflix uses. But generative AI unlocked an even more powerful option. Now, we can create courses from scratch based on the company's internal knowledge database. This technology can sift through internal databases to extract and summarize critical information for targeted learning experiences. For example, an employee can fill out a short test to understand their level; consequently, the AI will generate the necessary training material based on the level of the employee and the knowledge required for the function.

Endless Mediums

And it's not just limited to text-based materials. Some companies like Touchcast are pushing boundaries by enabling the creation of multi-modal content formats. From the automatic generation of PowerPoint presentations and videos to the creation of digital twins, the possibilities are endless. Imagine a scenario where your training sessions are led by a digital clone of your CEO, complete with the ability to pause and pose questions, to which the AI responds by generating new, relevant content to help your learning journey.

"Integrating generative AI into employee training demands thoughtful handling of several challenges"

Implementation

Integrating generative AI into employee training demands thoughtful handling of several challenges. A major concern is protecting data privacy since training sessions typically involve sensitive corporate information. And as with all new technologies, getting both employees and leadership on board is crucial as well. It is vital to communicate the benefits, such as more time-efficient training outcomes, to encourage acceptance within the company. On the technical side, AI must be seamlessly integrated with existing IT systems to avoid creating information silos. Continuous monitoring and updates of the AI-generated content are also essential to maintain its accuracy, relevance, and impartiality, ensuring the training materials remain valuable and up-to-date. Regular audits can find and correct any issues with the content generated, thereby ensuring the quality of the training processes.

Startups Leading the Charge

As we look ahead to the future, the possibilities for generative AI in employee training are exciting. This technology offers a unique opportunity to transform traditional training methods, bringing a level of personalization and efficiency previously unimaginable. One example of this is Sana, a Swedish startup that offers a complete platform to transform companies' stored data into practical personalized courses. Another interesting example is Empath, a plug-and-play portfolio company that maps the skill sets of employees within an organization to better retain and develop talent. And we expect many more startups to pop up in the near future tackling employee training.

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