Imagine with me for a moment: Training is no longer confined to scheduled sessions in a classroom, an online module or even a microlearning you click to activate during your workflow. Imagine training being delivered because the system senses what you are doing and provides instructions and job aids without you having to take an action.
The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable technology has made it easier than ever to seamlessly integrate learning directly into the workflow. Smart glasses, earpieces, and other advanced devices are redefining how employees gain knowledge and skills by delivering microlearning moments precisely when and where they are needed.
AI plays a crucial role in this transformation by sensing the optimal moment to deliver the training through augmented reality (AR). For example, an employee who is performing a composite lay up on a specific tool can wear a pair of AI-enabled smart glasses that track the employee's progress in real-time. The glasses can provide step-by-step visual guidance on the placing of the next piece of composite material. The AR can also show the specific lay-up lines on the tooling where the material is being placed. And, quality assurance can take place in real time through this technology, which in turn speeds up the process and reduces the number of defects found in downstream inspections.
This seamless integration is not just a technological innovation. In fact, I would say we are missing the mark if we think of this as a technological issue. In reality, it is an organizational issue: It is about organizational transformation.
Integrating AI and wearable tech represents a paradigm shift in how we think about training and professional development. Rather than treating training as a separate activity from work, organizations can now blend the two, ensuring that learning becomes a continuous, contextually relevant process and aligns with adult learning theory and neuroscience.
The concept of integrated training
Integrated training leverages AI to analyze tasks, environments, and individual performance in real time. AI-powered systems can identify learning opportunities as employees perform their work. For instance, a manufacturing worker using smart glasses could receive step-by-step visual instructions for assembling a complex piece of equipment. Similarly, an office employee wearing an earpiece might hear brief, contextual tips for improving their performance during a client call.
This approach ensures:
- Just-in-time learning: Knowledge is delivered precisely when it is most relevant.
- Personalization: AI adapts training content to the individual's role and performance level.
- Efficiency: Employees learn while working, reducing the need for lengthy training sessions and downtime.
The role of microlearning
Microlearning focuses on delivering bite-sized, easily digestible content, reducing cognitive overload. By leveraging AI to intelligently sense and deliver microlearning moments without direct action from the employee, organizations can more efficiently ensure that employees acquire the specific knowledge they need in manageable chunks. For instance, when an employee is trying to decide how to drill a hole on an aircraft fuselage at a precise location, the AI-enabled smart glasses can assist by providing microlearning or even part numbers for the tools that are needed to complete the job.
Examples of AI-assisted microlearning in action include:
- Real-time feedback: A customer service representative receives an AI-generated tip on improving their response to a challenging question.
- Guided instructions: A maintenance technician is guided step-by-step through a repair process with augmented reality overlays in their smart glasses.
- Skill reinforcement: AI delivers a quick quiz or simulation to reinforce a critical skill immediately after it is used.
Devices that enable continuous learning
Smart glasses, earpieces, and other wearable devices play a crucial role in integrating training into the workflow. These tools provide unobtrusive access to training materials and real-time guidance without disrupting the task at hand.
- Smart glasses: Display visual instructions, diagrams, or augmented reality overlays to guide employees through tasks.
- Earpieces: Deliver audio prompts, feedback, and contextual learning content.
- Mobile devices: Offer access to microlearning modules, videos, and interactive simulations on demand.
- Wrist-worn devices: Smartwatches and fitness trackers equipped with training apps provide notifications, reminders, or brief lessons. They can also track performance metrics and give feedback in real time.
- Haptic feedback wearables: Devices like haptic gloves or vests provide tactile feedback for physical tasks, such as indicating proper grip or posture during manual labor.
- Head-mounted displays (HMDs): Beyond smart glasses, advanced HMDs like virtual reality (VR) headsets simulate complex environments for immersive training experiences, ideal for high-risk or technical scenarios.
- Body sensors: Wearables such as biofeedback sensors or posture monitors help train employees in ergonomics, stress management, or health-related practices by monitoring physical activity and providing real-time alerts.
- Smart clothing: Embedded with sensors, smart clothing monitors body movements and provides feedback for physical tasks like lifting techniques, fitness training, or even surgical procedures.
These technologies create a "learning ecosystem" where knowledge flows seamlessly to the point of need, bridging the gap between theoretical training and practical application.
Real-world applications of integrated training
Integrated AI-driven training is already being implemented in various industries. Examples include:
Manufacturing and maintenance
- Companies like Lockheed Martin and GE Aviation use augmented reality (AR) through smart glasses to provide real-time instructions for assembling aircraft components or maintaining complex machinery.
- Technicians can view detailed schematics and step-by-step instructions without needing to leave their workstations.
Healthcare
- Surgeons and medical practitioners use VR and AR headsets for training on complex procedures. Devices like HoloLens allow them to practice surgeries in simulated environments or get real-time guidance during operations.
- Nurses and first responders use AI-driven wearable devices to receive situational feedback in high-stress environments.
Retail
Walmart uses VR headsets to train employees in soft skills, such as managing customer complaints or handling Black Friday crowds. These immersive experiences prepare staff for real-world scenarios in a controlled environment.
Logistics and warehousing
- DHL has implemented AR-enabled smart glasses to guide workers through picking and packing processes in warehouses, improving accuracy and efficiency.
- Wearables also monitor worker movements to provide ergonomic feedback, reducing injuries and improving safety.
Customer service
Companies like Hilton have used VR to train employees in hospitality scenarios, such as empathetic interactions with guests or handling difficult situations.
Field services
Oil and gas companies, such as Shell, deploy AR headsets and haptic wearables to train and assist field workers on remote rigs. Real-time AI guidance helps them operate safely in hazardous conditions.
Benefits of AI-driven integrated training
- Increased productivity: Employees spend less time in formal training sessions and more time applying knowledge directly to their tasks.
- Enhanced engagement: Contextually relevant learning keeps employees engaged and motivated.
- Reduced errors: Real-time guidance minimizes mistakes and improves performance.
- Scalability: AI systems can deliver personalized training at scale, making it accessible to large, dispersed workforces.
- Future-proofing skills: Continuous learning helps employees adapt to evolving roles and technologies.
Challenges & considerations
While there is a big upside to AI-integrated training through AR, there are also challenges organizations must navigate to integrate AI-driven, integrated training effectively:
- Privacy concerns: Employees may feel uneasy about the level of monitoring required for real-time feedback.
- Technological barriers: Not all organizations have the infrastructure to support wearable devices and AI integration.
- Change management: Shifting from traditional training models to integrated learning requires significant cultural and organizational change.
- Content development: Creating microlearning content that is both effective and engaging demands careful planning and design.
Addressing these challenges requires clear communication, robust data security measures, and a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning. This is a major reason why the issue must be seen as an organizational transformation and not an IT issue. The entire organization is transformed through this process.
The future of work & training
As the lines between training and working continue to blur, organizations that embrace AI-driven microlearning will gain a competitive edge. By equipping employees with the tools and knowledge they need, exactly when they need them, these companies will foster a more agile, skilled, and engaged workforce.
Imagine a world where learning is as seamless as receiving a notification or following an augmented reality overlay, a world where employees are not just trained but continuously supported in achieving their full potential. This is not a distant vision; it is the emerging reality of training in the AI era.
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