Q&A: Nikhil Arora, CEO of Epignosis and TalentLMS

While it's often discussed in terms of data, AI can also enhance the human elements of DEI training.

Nikhil Arora has over 25 years of experience driving business transformation, with a particular focus on SaaS solutions for SMBs. Previously, he held management positions at GoDaddy, WeWork, Intuit and ADP.

Can AI enhance learning on topics such as DEI in ways that do more than make processes "efficient"? In other words, how does technology add to the discussion of such "human" topics?

While AI is often associated with data-driven decision-making and automation, its capabilities can also enhance the human elements of DE&I training, making programs more personalized, empathetic and inclusive.

AI is, right now, completely disrupting learning technology because of its ability to curate individualized learning journeys in the flow of work by assessing employee skills, preferences and career goals, and recommending content most relevant to each learner's needs.

With the power to analyze vast amounts of learner data for each employee, AI can suggest specific pieces of content, entire courses or modules, and can adapt in real-time to each learner. Beyond "efficiency," it has the power to reinvent learning processes and even the job roles of people in L&D departments. L&D leaders and practitioners likely will move from being content creators to learning curators. Instructional designers will become learning journey architects.

AI automates administrative and data-heavy tasks, allowing L&D leaders and practitioners to focus on coaching, mentorship, creative design, empathy and DE&I initiatives — all of which require human insight, emotional intelligence and personal connection.

How will AI impact LMS professionals in ways that DON'T involve efficiency or "getting more time for strategic work"?

AI can aid L&D professionals by tailoring learning experiences to the individual needs, preferences and learning styles of each employee. AI evaluates previous interactions, performance and skills, and can recommend courses, content and resources that align with an employee's unique career trajectory. It still remains a blend of human interactions by learning professionals, turning them more into “learning experience architects.”

In essence, AI is changing the role of learning professionals to leverage the technology in new ways. The impact of AI is greater personalization of learning content that is more engaging and relevant at a greater velocity, which can make it easier for the L&D department to create continuous learning environments.

AI can also easily track skill trends and the relevance of skills to focus only on critical technical skills while simultaneously identifying soft-skills needs. It’s exciting to see how AI technology can make it easier to identify personalized learning paths that address more holistic development needs of individual employees.

Could AI have a role in pushing more learning into the flow of work?

AI plays a crucial role in integrating learning into the flow of work, making training and skill development part of employees' everyday activities rather than a separate or time-consuming task.

AI plays the role of mentor. This "learning in the flow of work" concept ensures that employees can access and apply knowledge exactly when and where they need it, driving continuous development without disrupting productivity.

Our team at TalentLMS conducted a survey recently that revealed that 47% of Gen Z employees are getting better guidance from AI than their manager. So we’re already seeing younger employees embrace AI as a mentor in the flow of work. That same research shows that 62% of Gen Z employees say AI has positively impacted their learning and development at, and 66% say that using AI at work positively impacted their skills.

Yet our research also shows just 38% of Gen Z employees are dependent on AI to complete their daily tasks at work. That means L&D has an opportunity to harness AI as a mentor, but learning leaders must identify ways to incorporate technology in the flow of work that supports employees in real-time.

Several exciting areas of AI incorporated into the flow of work are emerging, including microlearning delivered that aligns with current tasks or unique roles, contextual learning opportunities prompted by tasks, AI virtual assistants and just-in-time retrieval of information that ensures that employees can apply what they’ve learned right when they need it. 

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