'When it comes to learning and development, employees crave a human connection
Learning and development (L&D) should be headed by humans - not AI.
This is according to Wiley Workplace Intelligence's latest survey of 3,000 people across North America. According to the poll, 59% of the respondents said they prefer an instructor, whether in person or virtual, to direct their workforce development training, while only seven per cent prefer AI.
A majority (87%) of the respondents added they want L&D content to be developed by a subject matter expert instead of AI (12%).
"When it comes to learning and development, employees crave a human connection," said Dr. Mark Scullard, senior director of product innovation at Wiley, in a press release. "They want a person to create and lead their instruction, even if it's in an online setting."
Benefits to AI for L&D professionals
The findings come as L&D professionals warm up to the use of AI in their functions. According to the survey, 64% agreed that using AI for administrative tasks will increase efficiency.
The report said AI as an automation tool can allow L&D professionals to focus their efforts on "more value-added activities like curriculum design, instructional design, and learner support."
Wiley's respondents, despite not wanting AI-directed workforce development training, said they don't oppose L&D practitioners to improve their efforts.
AI adoption in workplaces
The survey follows the widespread adoption of AI across various workplace functions as of late. According to the poll, nearly one-third of workplaces are actively using AI, with 29% saying they adopted it in at least one business function.
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Service operations had the highest AI adoption rate across business functions, while human resources and development had seven per cent. Other business functions using AI include:
- Marketing and sales (15%)
- Product or service department (15%)
- Supply chain management (9%)
- Manufacturing (8%)
- Strategy and corporate finance (7%)
- Risk (6%)
Despite its growing popularity, 36% of the respondents said their organisation has yet to adopt AI. The biggest barriers preventing its implementation include:
- Budget constraints
- Unsure how to integrate
- Not a strategic priority
- Time constraints
- Lack of buy-in