Maneesh Dhooper, Co-founder, PlanetSpark, (world’s largest platform to help children, as well as, working professionals become confident communicators.)

Today, the digital landscape is changing rapidly, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming not just what we learn, but also how we learn. When it comes to learning and upskilling, AI is redefining it with the help of hyper-personalized recommendations, smart assistants, and targeted assessment. By providing learners with the content that is specific to their needs, AI-powered learning systems are expected to boost productivity in the education sector by 20 percent, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum.

Now, while we speak about the novelty of AI, we must not ignore a parallel and equally important trend of emphasis on human-centric skills and irreplaceable qualities like empathy, creativity, collaboration, and adaptability.

From One-Size-Fits-All to One-of-a-Kind Learning Paths

When we think about the traditional learning pathways, they largely followed a uniform, curriculum-driven approach. Yes, the curriculum was revised with time as per new research and changing requirements; however, it remained uniform for a large number of students. That model is now under strain.

AI-models are now changing the way we perceive learning delivery. They are harnessing vast amounts of data from the learners and are using it to provide unique learning paths to them. This way, we are quickly moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach towards one-of-a-kind learning experiences.

The algorithms are polished enough to adapt in real-time and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the learners to tailor recommendations, assessments, etc., as per their needs. We can find this shift to be most identifiable in sectors like education technology and corporate learning where new tools and strategies are being adopted to improve learner retention and engagement.

Having said that, this new approach is not just about enhancing learning delivery but is also about transforming learners from passive recipients of information into active architects of their own learning journeys. They are actively participating in the learning process, and this is the biggest game-changer.

Human-Centric Approach: More Crucial than Ever

Now, as we automate the learning processes, the biggest realisation that comes with it is that not everything can be automated. Yes, AI is redefining content delivery and performance optimization, but it still cannot replace humans when it comes to emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal connection. That’s where human-centric capabilities come into play.

According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2023, the top skills for 2025 are not purely technical. Critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and leadership dominate the list. These are areas where humans have a clear edge—and where education must refocus its energies.

A Deloitte study also found that 92 percent of the businesses consider soft skills as equally important as technical skills. This is because learning, in the end, is a human experience, and if we eliminate the human-centric approach completely then it may not remain as effective. This is the reason why Learning and Development (L&D) teams are now tasked with using AI-tools to enhance the delivery but also balance it with experiential learning which fosters human connect.

Towards a Collaborative Future

A lot of debate around AI these days is that it is taking precedence over human creativity. However, we must refrain from putting AI and human skills in opposition to each other. In fact, both can work together to create a synergy. A subject matter expert or trainer can use AI tools to understand a learner’s needs in detail and tailor the delivery for them. At the same time, they can provide emotional guidance and personal support to the learners.

It could be said that AI is rather freeing up time for humans by taking care of certain technical tasks and is allowing them to focus more on creativity, innovation, strategizing, and relationship building. In learning and development, we can let AI take care of handling data and personalisation, while we focus on bringing more creativity to the whole experience.

Towards an Age of Adaptive Learning

In today’s era, it is essential for everyone to become a lifelong learner and upskill themselves. This is because of the constantly evolving technology and skill requirements. Therefore, a fixed curriculum cannot serve the purpose anymore. There is a need for constant redesigning of learning environments to nurture the new-age skills.

This is not a future of either/or. It is a future of and. AI and human intelligence. Personalisation and purpose. Algorithms and empathy. As we move forward, learning is going to be about more than just acquiring knowledge. It will be about cultivating creativity and critical thinking, and human-centric skills will continue to be the compass as we leverage AI in learning.