TeamLease EdTech’s Industry Forum on "L&D in the Era of Generative AI"
28th July, 2023 | Delhi

The field of Learning and Development (L&D) has evolved significantly over the years, and the emergence of Generative AI has introduced new opportunities and challenges to this domain. To explore the transformative potential of Generative AI in L&D, we organized our first Industry Forum on the topic "L&D in the era of Generative AI" on the 28th of July in Delhi. Renowned speakers from leading firms came together to share insights and perspectives on harnessing Generative AI for effective skill development and learning initiatives.

The agenda of the forum included:

• Understanding AI
• Confidence in using AI tools
• Opportunities that AI can create for L&D professionals
• Exploring or implementing AI-based tools
• Importance of AI integration in L&D for organizational success

Vivek Tyagi, Business Head-Enterprise Learning Services at TeamLease Edtech Limited, took the stage to introduce keynote speaker Rohit Shenoy, Global Head of Learning and Leadership Development from DXC Technology. This was followed by a lively discussion with distinguished members of our panel, which included Juhi Mishra, Vice President of Corporate HR from InterGlobe Enterprises, Sunny Verma, Group Head - Learning & OD from JBM Group, Neha Saxena Shenoy, Deputy CHRO from Cairn Oil and Gas, and Neeti Sharma, President & Co-Founder from TeamLease Edtech Limited, who moderated the Industry Forum.
Watch the snippet here

Ms. Sharma then led the panel in a discussion on the power of AI and generative AI tools like ChatGPT. She quoted Arthur Clarke’s words on how advanced technology resembled magic, while also raising concerns about the potential impact of such tools on jobs and the changing role of L&D professionals. Ms. Sharma invited the panelists to share their insights on deploying these technologies strategically, harnessing their advantages, and ensuring human control in the face of rapid technological advancements. The discussion aimed to explore how organizations can adapt and collaborate with AI tools rather than being replaced by them; to employ AI in fostering gender diversity goals and in the process, learn from the diverse industry perspectives.

Keynote speaker, Rohit Shenoy, Global Head of Learning and Leadership Development at DXC Technology, initiated the session with an excellent presentation on the use of generative AI in L&D. With his expertise in training trainers and tackling L&D challenges, he shared a light-hearted anecdote about his daughter discovering an engaging DAN (Do Anything Now) mode on ChatGPT - highlighting the accessibility and effectiveness of generative AI tools even for those with minimal AI understanding. He also showcased how his company uses generative AI to create learning content and presentations. He showcased the startup Unberry which employs AI for various assessments, to prove his point. Shenoy concluded that generative AI can revolutionize L&D, boosting efficiency and creativity while addressing competency assessments across different domains. Watch the snippet here

An optimistic approach to technological change

Panelist Juhi Mishra, VP of Corporate HR at InterGlobe Enterprises, equated the advent of new technologies to the birth of a revolutionary addition to the business landscape. Drawing parallels to past innovations like ATM machines and mobile phones, she emphasized the need to adapt, highlighting past successes of revolutionary platforms like Paytm, UPI, and Google Pay across India. Mishra dispelled fears amongst the public about losing jobs to AI and stressed the importance of a thoughtful approach to harnessing technology's benefits. She underscored the need to comprehend the new tool's potential impact and sees it as a growth opportunity, urging wise and strategic implementation. Her perspective highlighted technology's potential for favorable outcomes, encouraging a proactive and informed integration approach that views the evolving landscape as a realm of opportunities. Watch the snippet here

Evolving technology trends and AI's role in shaping markets

Sunny Verma, Group Head of Learning & Organizational Development at JBM Group, our third panelist, discussed the dynamic tech landscape's impact on markets, drawing a parallel between Mark Zuckerberg's transitions from Facebook to Instagram. He highlighted generative AI's transformative potential, sharing his own experience seeking AI-generated insights. While acknowledging AI's advantages across sectors, he urged cautious usage due to ethical concerns. Verma emphasized the importance for all sectors to adapt to the arrival of new technologies, challenging people’s current focus on competence evaluation. He also advocated for ongoing skill development dialogues. He identified AI as vital for comprehensive skills assessment, bridging competence gaps, and fostering holistic employee growth. Watch the snippet here

Generative AI's impact on the energy sector

Our last panelist, Neha Saxena Shenoy, Deputy CHRO at Cairn Oil and Gas, talked about the dual dimensions of the evolving landscape shaped by generative AI. In the context of Cairn Oil and Gas, a pivotal player in India's crude oil and gas production, Neha highlighted the company's ambition to supply 50% of the nation's consumption by discovering sources through precise exploration, leveraging a team of skilled geoscientists aided by generative AI. However, Ms. Shenoy also raised concerns about issues related to generative AI's infancy phase, particularly its opacity and limited accessibility. Despite its transformative potential, she believes that the lack of transparency in current solutions like ChatGPT presents ethical challenges, and the exclusivity of such technologies could further widen the digital divide, exacerbating socio-economic disparities.

Ms. Shenoy emphasized the need for equitable access and responsible adoption of AI, describing the complex path organizations and societies need to navigate while embracing this technology. Drawing from her own experience at Honeywell, she showcased AI's role in predicting employee retention using personalized early warning systems based on performance and interactions. Watch the snippet here

The insightful panel discussions were followed by an engaging Q&A session. Distinguished industry leaders like Zahida Jabeen, Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Ericsson , Raja Das, Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Publicis Sapient, Swati Sharma, L&D Specialist at ZS Associates, and Sagar Radhi, Talent Development Specialist at Bristlecone, actively participated by posing thought-provoking questions. This exchange of ideas led to an incredibly lively discussion, enriched by the attendees’ collective expertise. The event garnered substantial positive feedback and reviews from a diverse range of participants representing various companies. So we look forward to curating more of such events.

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