How to use digital humans in L&D staff training

As the corporate world grapples with the rapid pace of technological change, the Learning and Development (L&D) sector is facing unprecedented challenges. With U.S. staff training expenditures eclipsing $100 billion in 2023, companies are investing heavily in L&D, seeking to equip their workforce with the skills of tomorrow.

Yet, despite this significant outlay, the effectiveness of traditional training methods is being called into question, with both managers and employees expressing concerns over their ability to meet the evolving demands of the job market and the new shift to hybrid working practices.

The skills gap crisis and the need for effective L&D

The burgeoning skills gap, particularly in technical fields, threatens to hamper economic output and corporate growth. Projections of a multimillion shortfall in qualified workers by 2030 underscore the need for L&D initiatives that not only align with hybrid working models but also deliver tangible, lasting skills development.

The same study found that in 2030 that talent shortage could result in about $8.5 trillion in unrealised annual revenue.

A Gartner study found that 64% of the managers they surveyed are sceptical about their employees' ability to adapt to future skill demands.

Remote work and training: A double-edged sword

The shift to remote and hybrid working arrangements, catalysed by the pandemic, has had a profound impact on L&D strategies. While offering flexibility, this shift has also introduced obstacles in training and onboarding new employees.

How can businesses maximise the benefits of their investments in L&D to adequately equip their staff for the future workplace?

Examples of using digital humans in L&D training

1. Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions has partnered with Guildhawk to enhance its diverse, global workforce employee safety training with multilingual digital human avatars and automating translation of learning content with the GAI, AI-assisted translation platform.

• The partnership has led to the successful implementation of culturally diverse and engaging multilingual training modules that use AI to make learning more efficient and effective.

2. One of the world’s leading engineering companies in the United States is taking multilingual digital humans to the next level to inspire their global audiences. The firm has partnered with Guildhawk to create authentic life-like avatars of their senior leaders that present both in the classroom and on the international stage alongside their real human.

• The only difference? Well, their avatar can present the content being delivered in over 100 languages. The result is a sensational, hyper-personalised learning experience that audiences remember because the content is localised to them and looks amazing.

How digital humans are transforming employee training

Digital humans, powered by the latest Generative and Conversational AI technologies, trained on high-quality, verified datasets, are at the forefront of this L&D digital revolution, if implemented strategically, can transform your training programs.

These AI avatars offer several advantages over conventional training approaches:

• Around-the-clock Availability: Digital trainers can provide support and training 24/7, catering to employees in different time zones and work schedules.
• Multilingual Support: With the ability to interact in hundreds of languages, digital humans can effectively train a global workforce.
• Real-time Interaction: Live, interactive sessions with AI avatars can simulate the nuances of human conversation, fostering a more engaging learning experience.
• Cost Efficiency: Offering consistent training at scale, digital humans can mitigate the high costs associated with individualized coaching or training.

Proven effectiveness and enhanced retention

The introduction of digital humans in staff training has already shown promising results, this technology is rapidly gaining favour over traditional, text-based learning methods.

Companies utilising digital human solutions have witnessed a significant improvement in the retention of training material, indicating that AI-driven L&D is set to be a game-changer in addressing the skills gap crisis.

Further supporting the transition to digital human solutions in staff training, consider these compelling statistics:

Research from the Wharton School of Business reveals that presentations incorporating both verbal and visual elements were found to be 17% more persuasive than those relying solely on verbal communication.

• This suggests that the multi-sensory engagement provided by digital humans can significantly enhance the persuasive power of training material.

Moreover, studies indicate that digital humans can engender a greater sense of trust among users. Factors such as a chatbot's professionalism, response speed, and predictability have a positive correlation with user trust levels.

• This enhanced trust can lead to more effective learning outcomes and greater user satisfaction.

Additionally, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that AI has achieved a 14% higher efficiency rate compared to humans in customer relations solutions. This efficiency is attributed to AI's rapid data-processing capabilities and access to extensive data pools, enabling quicker and more accurate responses to customer inquiries.

• These statistics highlight the tangible benefits of integrating digital humans into training programs, from increasing the persuasive impact of the content to fostering trust and improving efficiency in communication.

As the evidence mounts, the case for adopting digital human technologies in L&D digital transformation eco-systems becomes increasingly compelling.

The future of L&D is immersive experiences

As businesses seek to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, the integration of AI in staff training presents a strategic opportunity to enhance the value of L&D investments. By creating immersive, personalised learning experiences that align with the realities of remote work, organisations can better prepare their employees for the future.

The winners in the race to digitally transform L&D will be those that begin with the end in mind. Researching then testing hypothesis’ to fully understanding the business outcomes sought. Then building their learning assets on a solid foundation that is language neutral to guarantee accessibility for all, with the ability to learn in your language at the core.

Future-proofing L&D from the outset is time well spent because it looks to tomorrow, today. And what is the ongoing return on investment? New immersive, digital learning systems developed in this structured manner develop a workforce that is not only proficient in technical skills but also adaptable, innovative, and ready to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving job landscape.

If you're curious about how a new multilingual Avatar LMS and conversational AI, can revolutionise your employee training, why not book a meeting with one of our creative AI people?

They'll walk you through how we help you craft magical multilingual learning that empowers and inspires your people.