What if the solution to ineffective training lies in artificial intelligence? Through the amplification of learning impact, an AI companion is transforming L&D into a powerful engine for lasting skills.
Figure 1 : Examples of nudges and feedback contributing to anchoring learning
The L&D Curse
It's an all too familiar scenario. You recall that perfectly designed and brilliantly delivered training session—whether online or in person—that captivates you from the start. For a few hours or days, you’re completely immersed in new concepts. You leave the session energized, convinced that this time you’ll put what you’ve learned into practice. But then... reality sets in.
A few weeks go by, and the memory of the training starts to fade. The concepts that once seemed so clear now feel distant. A few months later, the daily grind takes over, and you barely notice that little, if anything, from the training has actually made an impact on your work. You haven’t developed any new skills, your behavior and habits remain the same, and the routine has once again crushed your intentions to change. The conclusion is clear: despite its initial promise, the training hasn’t led to any significant or lasting improvement.
This scenario, which frustrates even the most diligent educators and training managers, is one of the biggest challenges in Learning & Development (L&D). How can we ensure that learning doesn’t fade away but instead turns into concrete, long-lasting skills? Could we offer every learner a personal coach or tutor? In theory, this sounds ideal, but it doesn’t stand up to the realities of coach shortages or the cost. Personalized coaching remains an option for only a select few in companies. The most promising solution to this problem lies in artificial intelligence, specifically in an AI-powered learning companion.
An AI Learning Companion that Activates All the Right Levers
Effective learning is never just about transferring information. For knowledge to become a lasting skill, a set of cognitive levers, well-defined by learning sciences, must be activated. The AI learning companion developed by Elendi addresses this need precisely by engaging these levers.
Reflective Thinking
Reflective thinking helps anchor knowledge more deeply. It involves taking a step back, analyzing new information through the lens of one's existing beliefs, assessing potential challenges, and reflecting on its practical application in daily work. This process encourages learners to actively assimilate the material rather than passively consume it.
Let’s take the example of a manager who realizes that they are not fully tapping into their team's creative potential. During a leadership training, the AI companion prompts them to reflect: “How does this approach differ from your current practices? What does it remind you of? What challenges might you face in applying it? How could this new leadership approach help unlock creativity in your team?” The AI fosters immediate introspection, linking theory to real-world application.
Practice
Learning happens through experience and hands-on application. This step is often the most challenging for learners, who, caught up in daily tasks, tend to delay experimentation. The AI companion steps in to help learners identify concrete opportunities to apply their new skills and commit to action.
Returning to the example of the manager: after reflecting on how to foster creativity within the team, the AI companion encourages them to set a time and occasion to put this into practice. The manager then organizes a workshop where each team member is strongly encouraged to generate highly innovative ideas in a judgment-free environment. The AI coach guides and prompts the learner to take swift action, reinforcing the learning process.
Feedback
Feedback is critical for improving skills. However, it needs to be highly relevant and provided at the right time to be truly effective. The AI companion collects and analyzes data on the learner’s actions, offering immediate and constructive feedback. It can also draw on input from other stakeholders, such as peers or direct managers, allowing for a more comprehensive perspective.
Returning to our manager example: after the creativity workshop, the AI companion asks them to describe how the session went while analyzing the feedback from other participants. The AI coach compiles this information to provide a complete 360-degree feedback, ensuring that the learning is reinforced and rooted in collective insights.
Spaced Repetition
To ensure long-term retention of concepts, it's important to combat the natural process of forgetting. The AI companion uses spaced repetition, a technique that schedules reviews at ideal intervals to refresh the memory just when it’s needed, reducing the likelihood of information being forgotten.
In the case of our manager, the AI companion regularly revisits key concepts from their creative leadership training. Weeks after the workshop, it reminds them of the importance of fostering innovative ideas in meetings, the most effective ways to encourage creativity, and common mistakes to avoid. These well-timed prompts help ensure the learning remains active and ready for practical use.
A Highly Personalized, Supportive, and Engaging AI Companion
Beyond the technical aspects, the AI companion stands out for its empathy and adaptability. It’s not just an automated system delivering generic advice; it’s a thoughtful guide that supports learners at every step of their journey. This supportive approach is reflected in regular encouragement and timely, constructive feedback. The AI coach helps learners stay on track, even when they face challenges or setbacks, by acknowledging their efforts and framing each obstacle as a chance for growth. It’s designed to recognize when motivation dips and adjust its approach to keep learners engaged.
The AI companion’s personalization shines through in the quality of its feedback and recommendations. It doesn't offer one-size-fits-all content; instead, it tailors responses based on each learner’s specific needs, learning history, progress, and how they’ve reacted to past advice. The AI identifies strengths and areas for improvement, delivering targeted, straightforward feedback. Each learner gets customized support, tailored to their development, while still being scalable across large organizations.
A key strength of the AI companion is its ability to keep learners engaged over the long term. In training programs that span several months, with breaks between modules, the AI steps in at critical points to prevent disengagement. Whether through reminders, encouragement, or reinforcement activities, the AI keeps learners motivated and focused, driving continuous and effective learning. Between modules, the AI can also provide quick check-ins or micro-learning sessions to ensure learners stay connected to their development goals.
The Present and Future of L&D
Short-lived or ineffective training programs don’t have to be the norm. The future of L&D lies in personalized, dynamic support powered by AI, which significantly boosts the impact of learning. The idea of having a virtual companion—a true learning companion—was once seen as distant and unrealistic. But with the rise of generative AI, this vision has become a reality, available to most organizations almost overnight.
At Elendi, we’re already building this AI learning companion, step by step, with the goal of transforming every L&D initiative into real, lasting skill development. Early adopters have implemented this solution successfully, and the results are promising. This AI coach acts as a partner, driving real and meaningful growth for learners, enhancing the work of educators, and demonstrating the value of L&D programs.
Soon, AI companions will be standard in every organization focused on developing talent efficiently, sustainably, and at scale. This future will mark a new era in training and skills development, where businesses can finally maximize the impact of learning. In doing so, they’ll strengthen their overall performance while helping employees reach their full potential and remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
Ready to bring these benefits to your organization?
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