Thanks to the continued growth and sophistication of generative AI, HR leader Carina Cortez and her team are stepping it up a notch technologically: leveraging both gen AI and extended reality (XR) to enhance employee training and development.
As chief people officer at Cornerstone, a learning platform for talent development, Cortez has key insight into what really helps people grow into, and beyond, their roles. She shares how leveraging XR has shaped training methods, and best practices for putting this technology to work.
How is extended reality reshaping your company’s traditional training methods at work?
First, we should address the “why now” of how extended reality, or XR, is reshaping traditional training, and the answer is accessibility. The accessibility of the hardware and software to scale this technology is reaching a critical mass. With generative AI, XR training has become more dynamic and responsive than ever before, now adapting to employees’ actions and decisions during a simulation or training exercise.
Scaling the content creation side of training with gen AI is also reaching a pivotal point. No longer are coding or animation skills required. Instead, with simulation customization available, training methods can now be personalized—i.e., 1:1 format with an avatar—at scale. As this technology continues to advance, AI can identify an employee’s, or the entire workforce’s, skill gaps and suggest training with interactive content that meets that employee’s specific needs.
In what ways can XR promote continuous learning and workforce agility?
As an HR leader, it’s imperative that I help my entire organization stay ahead of the curve to succeed today and in the future. Skills are the bridge connecting individual performance and holistic growth that allows our organization to stay agile and XR is a modality that can help unlock upskilling and reskilling.
XR technology has provided a safe, engaging and effective way for employees, including our staff, to develop new skills needed to empower workforce agility. This has been especially helpful for remote or distributed teams, as there is no need for travel, and logistical challenges to provide learning and development are reduced.
XR provides real-life physical, behavioral and emotional situations for employees to practice in. Being able to create these environments and unique scenarios used to take Hollywood level coding or animation, something that isn’t scalable for soft skills development in a business environment, but today can be done thanks to gen AI.
Navigating skills development and practicing hypothetical workforce situations in the digital world helps employees apply this knowledge immediately in the real world. Additionally, by giving employees access to training materials and practice sessions anytime, anywhere, XR is the missing link to workforce agility.
How can this technology be used to effectively communicate and engage Gen Z workers?
Connecting with Gen Z employees requires an understanding of their digital preferences and communication habits. This generation is extremely tech-savvy and values efficiency. Incorporating technology into HR processes is essential, but it’s important to strike a balance between total automation and human intervention.
It’s crucial for HR teams to leverage platforms and tools that resonate with younger generations, and XR is no exception to these innovative, new tools. XR has created an authentic environment for all employees, regardless of age, to progress in their careers and achieve their goals.
For the first time in recent years, there are five generations in the workplace. Across all demographics, to make our workforces more agile and effective, we need to have a plan that considers the skills and development of our employees. First, we need to understand skills required and skills available in our organizations, so that we can make the right decisions about our talent.
Then, we need to make it easy for our employees to get the training they need to close these gaps, and for our organization to fill any critical skills gaps. That’s where XR can step in—it can provide us with immersive training experiences that work for all kinds of learners, so our employees of all ages can learn new skills quickly and easily. Leveraging this approach, we can connect our employees’ experiences and skills to build clear, unique career paths for our people and ultimately, drive an agile workforce that is unstoppable.
How can HR professionals integrate XR into their mental health initiatives and employee wellness strategies?
Companies must recognize that when people are at their best, organizations perform at their best and that includes addressing employee mental health and overall wellbeing. HR professionals can integrate XR into mental health initiatives and wellbeing strategies by creating virtual environments that promote relaxation and mindfulness. This AI-powered tool can provide personalized mental health support to employees and revolutionize the traditional methods of “checking in” with employees.
By simulating scenarios and offering guided mindfulness exercises, XR platforms open the door for employees to practice coping skills in a controlled, virtual environment. This not only helps individuals manage stress and anxiety but also equips them with valuable skills to navigate challenging situations in the workplace—whether in the office, remote or hybrid. Ultimately, supporting employee well-being and productivity, while also meeting their individual needs.
