The Harsh Truth About AI Copilots

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Today’s Thoughts ☠️

Hey there 👋,

Microsoft hit the L&D world with two big announcements last week.

One on the launch of Viva skills (more on that in the future), and another on the launch of AI Copilots across its full consumer tech stack.

So, with always on-demand skill-building, what does this mean for the humble workplace L&D team?

Get your tea 🍵 or beverage of choice ready. We've got lots to discuss!

In today’s chat 👇

• Learning with Copilots

• AI is exposing traditional education models

• How to optimise your learning tech ecosystem

The Big Thought
Learning With AI Copilots

The harsh truth about AI Copilots that no one wants to talk about.

→ They’ll reshape workplace L&D.

Here’s why that’s not a bad thing:

1/ True learning in the flow

Since Bersin coined the now infamous phrase, every tech vendor has tried their own spin on it.

The reality is none of them have come close.

No systems till now have fulfilled that vision. You might call this controversial. But I believe AI copilots are the real LIFW solution.

Why?

Because you don’t have to leave where you are.

Accessing 99% of LXPs and LMSs means leaving the workflow. But a Copilot is right there with you.

2/ Learning decentralised

The goal of any good L&D team should be breaking down the silos to access knowledge.

We get into this industry to help people.

Copilots help us surface content to people at speed and in a personalised fashion. This lightens the load on teams.

Hopefully, it encourages end users to think more critically in how they frame their problems too.

3/ Skills at speed

I had my own experience with this at the weekend.

I wanted to modify the website. But, I needed to modify both JavaScript and HTML code. One problem. I can’t code.

But with ChatGPT as my Copilot I do.

This is something that I would have either:

1. Spent days trying to solve myself

2. Paid someone else to do because of my skill gap

With ChatGPT's help (and some crafty prompting, of course) I was able to modify my website in minutes. This modification could lead to a healthy growth increase for my website.

Now I've solved a performance problem for my business.

This is where I see the power of bridging the skill gaps with generative AI tools. It's why I talk a lot about the potential of this tech for not just end users but L&D operators too.

Look, there’s a Copilot over there

The Copilots are coming fast, friend.

Microsoft just announced their full Copilot suite. It’s your local AI friend everywhere. Some might even say Clippy 2.0.

I’m sure Microsoft wouldn’t want me saying that.

MS might be the biggest player in this field with millions of business users. However, many more players will step in soon too.

👉 I unpack more on this for L&D teams.

Deep Thought
AI is Exposing Traditional Education Models: 3️⃣ Key Takeaways From WEF Research

Here’s a breakdown of new World Economic Forum research on AI’s impact on education. You can download your copy here. These are my personal takeaways.

1️⃣ Is the classroom crumbling?

Does anyone really like lectures in the same 4 walls?

I’m sure they’re some psychos out there but I feel the majority don’t. As L&D pros we’ve known this for a long time. That model just doesn’t work in a modern workplace.

It seems like the rise of generative AI tools is only compounding this fact in our education systems.

There’s always a time and place for everything. Perhaps the classroom (finally) is due a makeover to recognise the tech advancements today.

We should pay attention in the workplace L&D world too.

Don’t fight tech, leverage it in your work.

2️⃣ The rise of human skills

Yes, I have been banging this drum for some time.

Whilst the WEF call these durable skills (awful title) I prefer the straightforward ‘human’ approach. I’m doing a huge piece on skills of the future before the end of this year. More on that later.

For now, check out the skills the WEF recommends we cultivate in organisations to keep us all relevant.

3️⃣ Less theory, more action

My beef with the current education model has been the lack of practical applications in its teaching.

It’s far too focused on outdated theory.

In the business world, you need to move fast and know how to execute and do that well. Higher Ed doesn't do very well in that department.

As the article highlights, skills are the real commodity we need.

We need to partner those skills with practical applications so young people understand how to maximise their opportunities. Many companies are ditching the degree requirements and opaque exams which create a huge barrier to entry.

We’ve already seen generative AI tools provide support on building real-world challenges for employees to fast-track skill-building.

Surely there is more to come?

Smart Thoughts

Content that has caught my attention and might interest you too.

🤔  The Curiosity forum: The one with Gen AI in learning

This popped up on my Radar from Novartis CLO, Simon Brown

Leaders across L&D, tech and HR are coming together to chat about Gen AI and its potential impact in the world of education and work. I think this is free but you might need to double check at registration.

💡 ChatGPT can see! What this means for employee learning

This will be a useful feature for learning in the flow.

I’ve been playing with ChatGPT’s new vision feature. Check out the early experiment. I'll be tinkering with some use cases over the coming week to share in the newsletter shortly.

🔥  How to optimise your learning tech ecosystem

This is from the clever folks at Degreed.

This covers how to map out your ecosystem, make sure it’s healthy and evaluate the right partners to maximise its features.

How I can help you👇

1/ My L&D toolkit stack with 20 zero-cost tools.

2/ Work smarter with AI in HR and L&D in my ChatGPT Crash Course.

3/ Work with me on your projects and L&D challenges.

Please share your thoughts with me on these pieces or anything I share on LinkedIn or hit 'reply'. Chat to you soon.