Employees don’t want AI to take over their learning and development (L&D) activities, according to a new survey by Wiley. It found that more than half of respondents – around 59% — preferred having a human instructor in charge of their workforce development, as opposed to the mere 7% that said AI.
“When it comes to learning and development, employees crave a human connection,” said Wiley Senior Director of Product Innovation Dr. Mark Scullard. “They want a person to create and lead their instruction, even if it’s in an online setting.”
This research comes as AI becomes a more prominent tool in organizations. In fact, almost one-third of those surveyed said their business has adopted AI technology in at least one business function. This trend has also extended to L&D, where organizations are increasingly exploring AI-powered tools to optimize training and career development for their employees. The Paychex 2023 The Pulse of HR Report predicts a continued reliance on technology, such as AI, to enhance upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
Human Touch vs AI
The study also found that employees had strong opinions about who creates learning materials. According to Wiley, the vast majority of respondents said they want L&D content to be developed by a subject matter expert in their field.
Still, L&D professionals remain optimistic about the benefits of AI. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the survey’s respondents agreed that using AI for some administrative aspects of their role will increase overall efficiency. By automating routine tasks, L&D professionals can dedicate more time to value-added activities such as curriculum design, instructional design and learner support. The company said that this in turn allows for more meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.
As organizations navigate the delicate balance between human instruction and AI-driven efficiency, it becomes evident that both elements have unique contributions to offer within the realm of employee learning and development.
Updated Nov. 22, 2023 to update Wiley link.
Image: Canva
