AI in Training: A Game-Changer, But Not a Magic Wand
In just a few short years, AI has reshaped how we work, train, and learn. I am no exception—tasks that used to take me days now take hours, and sometimes even minutes.
For us business owners, tools like ChatGPT can seem like the ultimate fix—saving time, cutting costs, and maybe even creating entire training programs for you. But here's the thing: AI is impressive, not infallible.
In his article, "The Rise of Robotheism," Christopher Lind warns about the growing belief that AI can solve every problem we throw at it. This caution hits home for those of us in training and instructional design, where the stakes are high and the details matter.
So, before you hand over your training programs to AI, let's take a closer look at where it shines, where it falls short, and how to use it wisely without setting yourself—or your learners—up for failure.
Where AI Delivers: The Good Stuff
I've found that AI is fantastic at handling repetitive tasks and getting things started (and avoiding the dreaded blank-page syndrome). Here's what it can do well, in my experience:
Summarize long documents into manageable pieces.
Generate outlines for your training programs.
Create initial drafts of content to give you a solid starting point.
These features can save you hours and free you up to focus on the bigger picture. But here's where it gets tricky.
Where AI Falls Short: The Devil's in the Details
While AI can handle surface-level tasks, it struggles with the deeper work required for effective training. Case in point:
Real-World Scenarios Lack Depth: Good training programs don't just deliver information; they prepare learners for the real world. I've used AI to draft interactive scenarios, but they often feel generic or oversimplified. We want learners to practice decision-making in realistic situations, which requires human input from experts.
Accuracy Isn't Guaranteed: A few weeks ago, I put ChatGPT to the test on a quiz that was being retired. I fed it the quiz questions and the manual where the answers were found. Answering these questions required analyzing charts, graphs, and policies to make appropriate judgments—just like learners would in real-world training. The result? ChatGPT scored a disappointing 57%. That's a failing grade, and it shows why AI still has a long way to go in producing reliable, nuanced answers.
Understanding People Is Beyond Its Reach: Effective training isn't one-size-fits-all. It requires understanding your audience—their knowledge, goals, and learning styles. AI can't empathize or adapt in the same way a human designer can..
Why Caution Matters: The Risks of Over-Reliance
Imagine rolling out a training program built entirely by AI. What happens if the content is wrong, incomplete, or too generic? The consequences could range from lack of performance improvement and annoyed employees to serious compliance or safety risks.
Even in lower-stakes scenarios, poorly designed training hurts your business. It frustrates learners, wastes everyone's time, and fails to deliver the results you need.
How to Use AI Wisely
So, how do you harness AI's power without falling into the trap of over-reliance? Here's the playbook:
Use AI for the Basics: Let AI handle summaries, outlines, and first drafts. It's great for saving time and organizing your thoughts.
Always Verify and Refine: AI output is a starting point, not the final product. Review for accuracy, tailor it to your audience and ensure it aligns with your goals.
Prioritize High-Stakes Training: For compliance, safety, or legal topics, rely on human expertise to guarantee quality and reduce risks.
Combine Human Insight with AI Efficiency: AI can speed up the process, but your knowledge and judgment are irreplaceable. Together, they make a powerful team.
The Takeaway: AI Is a Partner, Not a Replacement
AI is an incredible tool that's transforming how we approach training and instructional design. But it's just that—a tool. It's not a magic wand, and it's not a replacement for the human expertise that makes training truly effective.
When you strike this balance, you'll build training that's not just efficient but also meaningful, accurate, and designed to empower your learners to thrive.
