This informal article, ‘AI – Friend or Foe? Which One Will it be in 2024?’, was provided by iAM Learning, who are transforming the way your workforce trains and retains, using high-end animation, lovable characters and captivating stories to make even the most serious subjects appealing and unforgettable.
There’s been so much talk lately in the media and learning & development circles about the impact artificial intelligence (AI) will have in 2024, but of course, no one really knows for sure. It’s all just best guesswork. But if we’re honest, the rapid rise of L&D last year does concern us – we’d be crazy to ignore it.
AI has the potential to help L&D managers and learners alike immensely. But there’s also the real possibility that it’ll bring some major problems to the sector, like we’ve seen in other sectors already, like the arts. You can see why it’s been discussed so much, then. This article explores the debate a little further.
Will AI be my friend?
There are good reasons to be optimistic about AI in 2024. Advancements in natural language processing mean AI can help create more engaging and personalised e-learning experiences. Intelligent tutoring systems adapt to learners' needs, while virtual assistants like Chat GPT, Claude and more recently, Google’s Gemini can handle administrative tasks, freeing up L&D teams to focus more on strategy.
With the right governance, AI could make L&D teams more productive and effective. The technology also presents opportunities to analyse data, predict skills gaps, and gain insights to refine programs. That stuff would be a godsend to L&D teams who are looking to engage learners and save money because of tighter budgets.
Will AI be my foe?
However, the increased use of AI also raises valid concerns. Could AI lead to job losses by automating roles? What about ethical risks from biased algorithms or lack of transparency? As AI performs more L&D functions autonomously, managers may struggle to keep control and oversight. There are also worries that overreliance on AI could degrade human skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making.
More broadly, if AI is not properly regulated, it poses societal dangers. You can guarantee that AI will soon be the scapegoat for all mistakes – people are going to use it to neatly shift blame to something others don’t fully understand. We predict it won’t be long before ‘We’re sorry this has happened, the algorithm got it wrong’ becomes the stock excuse of choice in this sector and beyond.
The debate around "friend or foe" suggests AI's impact won’t be black and white in 2024 just as today. The real picture will likely involve both upsides for efficiency alongside challenges around governance, ethics, and human skills development. We’ll have to review throughout 2024 whether the positive potential of AI outweighs the negative as adoption accelerates. If addressed carefully, AI can hopefully become a productive partner rather than a rival humans must overcome. We just have to remember that close oversight of this transformational technology is crucial and will remain so in this coming year and beyond.
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