AI and the need for strategic L&D

The rise of AI and programmes like ChatGPT highlights the need for strategic learning & development. Existing skills and jobs will become obsolete and replaced by new ones within just a few years. This means that L&D will become even more critical. As an organisation, you need to respond to this strategically.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future Job Report 2023, entrepreneurs expect that due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), 44% of current employee skills will disappear in the coming years. This is accompanied by a massive job carousel: old jobs disappear, and new ones replace them. Cognitive and creative skills will become increasingly important, as will collaboration, flexibility and leadership.

AI transition

These developments not only put (additional) pressure on training existing and new employees, but they also require organisations themselves to adapt. These have to become learning organisations, with learning and development becoming part of a corporate lifelong development (LLO) strategy. This is also the core of strategic L&D. The AI transition also calls for an L&D transition.

Corporate academies

Large companies and government organisations are already responding to this by setting up their academies. Local governments and SMEs with fewer resources struggle with their L&D strategy. One solution could be sectoral or regional cooperation. In all cases, however: have the critical supporting, driving and connecting skills already been identified?

Learning motivation

Besides access to L&D, employees’ learning motivation will need to be activated. In my white paper ‘How to drive learning motivation’, I outline the importance of work content and context. The Future Job Report expects 60% of all workers to be trained before 2027 to avoid an innovation meltdown. ‘Learn or lose’ will be the motto in the coming years.

Curious about my approach to strategic L&D? Contact me for an appointment; I will be happy to come by for a short presentation: call +31 (0)6 24 58 45 90 or email contact@adhofstede.nl.

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