Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the workplace, sparking both excitement and uncertainty among HR and L&D professionals. With 84% of employees expecting automation to accelerate and 40% of core skills set to change by 2025, the pressure is on to harness tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and other GenAI-based platforms. How can L&D leaders leverage AI to transform learning and drive business impact?

To explore these challenges in-depth, People Matters and Tekstac organised an exclusive roundtable themed on “Navigating the Future of Learning: Integrating AI and Analytics to drive ROI”. The event was spearheaded by Krishnan Unni, Chief Business Officer & Head of GTM, Tekstac, and Akansha Shukla, Director of Enterprise Sales India, Tekstac.

Moderated by Mangalapreetha Sairaman, Head of L&D, Indium Software, about 20 learning and development leaders from Tech, GCCs and Healthcare discussed the real-world applications of AI in learning, how workforce capability development is evolving, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and transformation of learning and development function for business growth.

Here are some key insights from the roundtable:

How AI is transforming customised learning experiences to shape the future workforce 

In today's fast-paced work environment, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to learning experience is ineffective. Employees need training that is not only relevant to their current roles but also prepares them for evolving job demands. This is where AI excels as a support function.  GenAI tools can analyse vast amounts of data on individual learning patterns, job performance, and skills gap, enabling organisations to customise learning experiences to individual employee’s specific needs.

One leader from the IT sector shared that AI can simplify the complexity of an IT organisation that handles over 150 skills by personalising learning pathways based on skills gap and job performance data. This personalisation not only boosts learner engagement but also ensures that the training is directly relevant to both the employee’s career trajectory and the organisation’s needs.

Similarly, Krishnan Unni highlighted that Tekstac’s AI features, such as the "Tekbuddy," help learners not only acquire new skills but also ensure they are job-ready for immediate deployment in projects. These instances offer a better understanding of how AI-driven platforms, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, can offer real-time support to learners by answering queries, guiding them through courses, and providing immediate feedback.  

Measuring what matters analytics and data insights

One of the most compelling benefits of AI and analytics in L&D is the ability to measure and track the effectiveness of training programs in real-time. Organisations no longer have to rely solely on traditional methods of evaluating training outcomes, such as post-training surveys, which may not capture the full impact of learning on job performance.

During the discussion, the L&D leaders noted that predictive analytics allow L&D teams to forecast training needs and assess employee readiness even before they step into new roles. By identifying skill gaps in advance, L&D can tailor learning interventions to meet specific business objectives. This proactive approach ensures that organisations invest in the right learning solutions, resulting in measurable improvements in productivity and performance.

For example, AI-enabled SkillsTech platforms can generate insights on which employees are ready for promotion or which teams require upskilling to meet future demands. This data not only optimises learning pathways but also aligns them closely with broader organisational goals. 

By linking learning outcomes with performance metrics, companies can demonstrate a clear correlation between their L&D efforts and business growth, making the case for continued investment in learning initiatives. That said, the implementation presents its own set of challenges.

Cultural and organisational shifts remain the challenges to overcome 

Organisational culture, legacy systems, and resistance to change can all hinder the adoption of learning solutions. The challenge lies in how open organisations are to integrating GenAI and other new technologies into their learning frameworks.

One key hurdle is ensuring that AI is viewed as a tool that augments, rather than replaces, human judgement. For example, in industries like healthcare, AI is currently being used to reduce diagnostic errors by assisting junior doctors in making more accurate diagnoses by analysing vast medical data sets. This shows that AI can enhance, rather than diminish, the human element in learning. Culturally, this can enhance employees’ understanding that AI is here to support them, not to replace them. 

Additionally, cross-functional collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of AI in learning. L&D professionals must work closely with IT, HR, and data teams to ensure seamless integration of AI technologies into existing systems. Attendees at the roundtable emphasised the importance of building a cross-functional team that includes data scientists, business consultants, and L&D experts to fully leverage AI capabilities. A coordinated effort is required to translate AI insights into actionable learning outcomes, ultimately improving the ROI of learning initiatives.

Linking learning to business success to drive ROI

At the heart of any successful L&D initiative is the ability to demonstrate ROI. This means moving beyond measuring completion rates or learner satisfaction and focusing on the business impact of learning. How does a training program improve employee productivity? How does it reduce time to deploy? Most importantly, how does it contribute to the organisation’s bottom line?

Krishnan Unni highlighted Tekstac's "Objective to Outcome" methodology, which focuses on aligning learning programs with measurable business outcomes. He explained that it’s not just about delivering training content; it’s about asking the key question: "What is the business objective you want to achieve?" This helps L&D teams design learning interventions that directly address those objectives.

The attendees also discussed how LLM models can evaluate AI coding for quality, scalability, and efficiency, freeing up internal experts to focus on higher-level problem-solving. This would not only improve coding standards but also accelerate project delivery times, resulting in measurable ROI.

As organisations increasingly adopt AI and analytics, the focus is shifting from simply delivering training to achieving real business impact. AI can empower L&D professionals to create more personalised, data-driven learning experiences that not only enhance employee skills but also directly contribute to the organisation's growth and success. It’s a reminder that personalised learning initiatives are not just about training—it's about driving meaningful results and shaping a brighter future for both employees and businesses.

The Road Ahead - From Cost Center to Growth Engine

The integration of AI and analytics in learning is no longer a futuristic concept—it is happening now. L&D must evolve from being a cost center to a strategic function that drives measurable business value. The attendees agreed that AI and analytics are key enablers of this transformation, providing the tools to personalise learning, measure impact, and align learning outcomes with business objectives.

The attendees also acknowledged that the future of learning is immersive. Employees who prefer e-learning can be enticed to learn using  AR/VR models which surely is bound to increase people's engagement. 

The roundtable discussion underscored the comprehensive nature of learning journeys powered by emerging technologies. For those who are ready to embrace these changes and effectively weave AI and analytics into their learning strategies, the rewards are clear—boosted employee engagement, enhanced performance, and a strong return on investment. The future of learning is no longer a distant concept; it's here, driven by the power of AI. The question is—are you ready to embrace it?