The L&D fraternity in Bangalore experienced an exceptional Industry Forum that not only reshaped their perspective but also addressed all their concerns and queries about the profound impact generative AI will have on L&D. We hosted our second Industry Forum on the topic "L&D in the era of Generative AI" on 15th September, 2023 and brought together distinguished speakers from leading firms who shared deep insights into harnessing Generative AI for skill development and learning initiatives. And from such a cohort of panelists and audience members, it's been heartening to discover that the unanimous response to the event was 'Excellent' !

Vivek Tyagi, the Business Head for Enterprise Learning Services at TeamLease Edtech Limited, introduced the keynote speaker, Nithya Subramanian, Head of Data & Analytics - AMEA at Kellogg Company. Following the enlightening keynote presentation, an engaging Q&A session ensued, and a spirited discussion unfolded with our esteemed panel members. This distinguished panel included Payel Banerjee, Leader of Learning and Development (L&D); Sreejith Krishnan, Head of L&D at Sony; Uday Kumar Menon, Associate Director of Learning and Development at KPMG Global Services (KGS); and Neeti Sharma, President & Co-Founder of TeamLease Edtech Limited, who expertly moderated the Industry Forum.

Nithya Subramanian's opening remarks highlighted the pivotal role that L&D plays in any organization. She emphasized that L&D is not just another department; it is a fundamental pillar that fuels growth, fosters a growth mindset, deploys technology for competitive advantage, and drives continuous learning. In essence, L&D is the key to an organization's long-term success. Watch to know more.

She posed a thought-provoking question to the audience: "What one thing would you wish for technology to revolutionize in L&D?" The audience responded with wishes for understanding minds, personalization, objective assessment, and building a learning culture. Ms. Subramanian then explained generative AI and its role in L&D, emphasizing that it completes the cycle by generating human-like output, including text, audio, and more. She introduced GPT models like ChatGPT, which merge language models with chatbot technology for context-aware responses. Watch to know more.

Generative AI, she asserted, can empower L&D in several ways:

Efficient content generation: It can curate subject-specific, interactive content, personalized for learners, improving the quality of learning while saving resources.

User-centric learning By incorporating metacognition, deliberate practice, and gamification, it creates personalized, immersive learning experiences.

Dynamic assessment: It introduces customized learning paths based on individual performance, challenging the traditional forgetting curve.

Skill gap analysis: It helps organizations identify skill gaps and tailor training programs by analyzing data from various sources.

Ms. Subramanian acknowledged challenges, including bias, privacy, and data issues, but emphasized the immense benefits of generative AI in L&D. She also discussed the ways L&D could upskill employees by harnessing generative AI’s potential, advocating collaboration with IT and business functions for innovation and problem-solving.

The following panel discussion explored topics ranging from the potential economic impacts of widespread adoption to the ways AI can personalize learning experiences while preserving the human touch in teaching.

Generative AI - Excitement and Concerns

The panel began with Neeti Sharma posing a fundamental question: "What excites you most about Generative AI, and what scares you the most?" The responses from the panelists highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionize work and learning, but also the concerns surrounding the loss of the human touch.

Payel Banerjee, L&D Leader, expressed excitement about AI's ability to personalize individual learning journeys and curations. However, she voiced concerns about the absence of human touch, especially in areas like coaching.

Sreejith Krishnan, Head of L&D at Sony, recounted his fascination with Generative AI when he first encountered ChatGPT. He emphasized the time-saving benefits and its transformative impact on content creation. Yet, he also expressed apprehension about the risk of not using one's brain enough due to AI reliance.

Uday Kumar Menon, Associate Director of L&D at KPMG Global Services, underscored the remarkable speed of ChatGPT's adoption, pointing out its potential in various applications. However, he cautioned against potential misuse and the need for awareness regarding AI's proper usage Watch to know more.

Personalizing Learning with AI

The discussion shifted to how AI can enhance education while preserving the human touch in teaching. The panelists shared examples of how they have already deployed AI in their workplaces to personalize learning experiences.

Sreejith Krishnan discussed using AI to create Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and personalized learning journeys for managers, emphasizing the importance of “surgical learning.”

Uday Kumar Menon illustrated AI's role in creating awareness videos, upskilling campaigns, and even podcast creation within KPMG. He highlighted the potential for AI to provide quick solutions and valuable content.

Sreejith Krishnan quoted statistics suggesting that nearly 50% of jobs may not exist a decade from now due to automation. He emphasized the need for individuals to prepare themselves for this changing landscape.

Payel Banerjee shared her experience with an AI-driven learning platform at Standard Chartered and emphasized the need for awareness of how to use AI effectively.

The panelists also discussed various AI tools available in the market beyond ChatGPT, including BART, and highlighted their potential applications in text, image, and video processing.
Watch to know more.

Economic Implications of Generative AI

In the final part of the discussion, the panel addressed the potential economic impacts of Generative AI. They acknowledged that AI could lead to job displacements but stressed that individuals who adapt to and use AI effectively will remain valuable in the workforce. Sreejith Krishnan quoted statistics suggesting that nearly 50% of jobs may not exist a decade from now due to automation. He emphasized the need for individuals to prepare themselves for this changing landscape.

Payel Banerjee and Uday Kumar Menon echoed the sentiment that while certain roles may become redundant, new opportunities will arise. They cited examples of past technological advancements that reshaped job markets.

In conclusion, the panelists agreed that the economic impact of Generative AI would be significant, but individuals and organizations that embrace and adapt to these changes will continue to thrive.

As the discussion ended, Neeti Sharma invited questions from the audience, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights on the exciting and transformative potential of Generative AI. Renowned industry leaders such as Prabhu Pantula, Head - Learning & OD, Oracle, Veronica Roshni, Business Process Lead, L&D, TCS, Meenal Jain, Senior Manager – Corporate Training, Metro Cash and Carry, actively participated in the discussion by raising insightful questions. The overwhelmingly positive responses from all the attendees serve as strong motivation for us to organize more events like this in the future Watch to know more.