Why traditional training is dead

Imagine your last corporate training session. Was it memorable? Has it changed the way you work? Probably not. But that’s going to change. The convergence of artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and post-pandemic work habits is not only renewing business education, but also completely reinventing it.

The traditional approach of putting employees in a room for hours on end for PowerPoint presentations is no longer effective, especially as younger generations enter the workforce. As Eilert Hanoa, CEO of learning platform Kahoot!, explains: “Gen Z venturing into the workforce and their expectations for efficiency, shape and form are driving the need for new ways of doing business learning. Whether you’re studying at on the way to work, at home or at the office, it has to be attractive.”

AI: the game-changer in corporate training

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way organizations create, deliver and analyze learning content. Rather than replacing human instructors, AI acts as a powerful enabler that can enhance the learning experience in multiple ways. “AI will enhance many of the processes we already have in place, whether it’s creating material, analyzing reports or understanding the results of different sessions,” says Hanoa.

The technology can help generate tailor-made learning materials, provide immediate feedback and offer personalized learning paths based on individual progress and preferences. However, it is critical to remember that AI should complement human judgment, not replace it. As Hanoa emphasizes: “AI in itself is not enough. It should be connected to great, reliable sources and used for what it is: a way to speed up development or information gathering.”

The rise of immersive learning experiences

Virtual and augmented reality technologies open up new possibilities for corporate training. Although these technologies are still in their early stages, they offer unprecedented opportunities for hands-on learning experiences that were previously impossible or impractical to realize at scale.

Imagine sales teams practicing difficult customer interactions in virtual environments or maintenance technicians learning complex repair procedures through augmented reality overlays. While the full potential of the technology has yet to be realized, mainly due to hardware limitations, its impact on enterprise learning is inevitable. “We absolutely believe this will have a big impact,” notes Hanoa, while acknowledging that factors such as headset availability and comfort still need to evolve.

Gamification: beyond points and badges

The concept of gamification in corporate learning has evolved far beyond simple point systems and leaderboards. Modern approaches focus on creating meaningful engagement that drives real learning outcomes. “Gamification cannot be for the sake of it,” Hanoa explains. “It should be a way to make a good process better and maybe help you overcome the hurdle of a process that isn’t all that engaging to begin with.”

Effective gamification in corporate learning now includes elements such as adaptive challenges, meaningful feedback loops and social learning components. The goal is not only to make training more fun, but also to create an environment that naturally encourages continuous learning and skill development.

Taking on the challenge of hybrid work

The shift to hybrid work has created new challenges in maintaining consistent learning experiences for remote and in-person employees. Organizations must ensure that their learning initiatives are equally effective regardless of where employees are located.

“We must treat all employees equally, whether or not they are in the room, for whatever reason,” Hanoa emphasizes. “And we also need to make sure it’s a good way and location for all voices to be heard at the same time, giving the presenter or meeting leader very time-saving tools.”

Shaping the future of workplace learning

Looking ahead, several key trends are shaping the future of corporate learning. The integration of AI capabilities will continue to accelerate, making learning experiences more personalized and effective. Mobile-first approaches will become increasingly important as organizations look to reach their employees wherever they are. And the focus on engagement will only increase as companies compete for talent in a tight labor market.

Most importantly, the focus will be on creating learning experiences that create real behavioral change. As Hanoa puts it, “There is no point in training employees in something and they continue to do what they were doing before.” The future of corporate learning lies in creating engaging, accessible and effective experiences that truly transform the way employees work and grow.