The Impact of AI on Immersive Learning Experiences
AI & immersive learning have both offered companies ways to improve training and development experiences for a while now. Artificial intelligence introduces opportunities to personalize educational content at scale, support employees with real-time feedback, and dive deeper into performance data.
On the other hand, immersive technologies, like augmented, virtual, and mixed reality solutions pave the way for contextual, hands-on, and experiential learning opportunities. Independently, both technologies can make training and knowledge sharing experiences richer, more engaging, and more impactful. But together, AI & immersive learning can introduce a new era of skill development.
AI can help organizations build immersive experiences faster, and adapt them to the needs of different learners, it can add intelligent, conversational coaches to every metaverse training course, or enhance real-time AR-enhanced training with real-time translations and insights.
Already, our studies suggest that improving training is one of the top use cases for extended reality, and AI is poised to make immersive learning better than ever.
Why We Need AI & Immersive Learning
The global skills crisis is growing. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030, about 60% of the current workforce will need significant upskilling. That’s more than half of your team, suddenly struggling to stay productive and efficient in their roles.
Unfortunately, traditional training methods just can’t handle a challenge that big. Think about the “old-fashioned” approach to learning and development. Most teams are bombarded by long presentations, dry e-learning modules, or the dreaded mandatory compliance video.
These solutions are generic, passive, and often boring. That’s probably why Gartner’s research found that 70% of employees say they don’t have the skills they need for their jobs today (never mind tomorrow) – even if they do have traditional training resources.
The truth is that standard L&D initiatives fail to capture and maintain learner attention, particularly in distributed, hybrid workforces, where distractions are everywhere. They’re difficult to scale, almost impossible to personalize at scale, and usually don’t offer access to real-time feedback.
Immersive learning initiatives solve some of this problem. Training in XR can accelerate the time it takes to develop skills by 75%, and it makes content more immersive and memorable, with real, hands-on experiences. But even XR can have scalability issues. Adding AI to the mix makes it simpler for companies to make training more dynamic, engaging, and immediately relevant.
How AI Enhances Immersive Learning
You’re probably already aware of AI and immersive learning as independent concepts. Immersive learning involves using extended reality technologies (AR, VR, and MR), alongside metaverse environments and digital content to create hands-on training experiences. It’s the strategy that PWC says helps learners complete training four times faster, and retain more knowledge.
So, where does AI come into the picture?
Artificial intelligence, from generative AI models powered by LLMs, to conversational bots, AI analytics tools, and even tools for real-time translation, summarization, and coaching, makes immersive experiences even more impactful. It adds adaptive intelligence, interactivity, personalization, and opportunities to create contextual content at scale.
AI in immersive learning can:
Improve and Enhance Educational Content
Creating immersive learning experiences traditionally required specialized technical expertise and weeks or months of development time. Now, companies like Amazon and Walmart leverage Generative AI to accelerate content creation.
Amazon, for instance, uses AI-generated immersive scenarios via HTC VIVERSE to quickly and cost-effectively train customer service managers. AI tools don’t just create the content, they can collect, analyze, and fine-tune the data required to make that content specific and relevant to the needs of each user. Some tools can even adapt content to different languages and preferences.
Power Adaptive Learning Systems
With AI in immersive learning companies can infuse assistants into XR training materials that do a lot more than just give feedback. These tools can take advantage of machine learning, natural language processing, data analytics, and even computer vision to adapt in real-time.
They can adjust the training’s difficulty, pacing, or content to match individual needs, even as they become more proficient with certain tasks. For instance, in healthcare, pioneers are using AI & Immersive learning to help accelerate skill development for surgeons.
Provide Constant, Personalized Guidance
NLP technologies can power NPCs in immersive training environments that support realistic, conversational interactions between employees and virtual characters. These characters can act as coaches, delivering real-time personalized feedback based on training data, or they can improve simulations, acting as a patient, customer, or stakeholder in a scenario.
Employees can practice challenging tasks in a hands-on, immersive environment, and even monitor their progress without the need for a human coach. Plus, AI tools can also gather the data teams need to optimize and improve training initiatives over time. They can track everything from common skill gaps, to ongoing performance improvements, and learning trends.
The Benefits of AI & Immersive Learning for Enterprises
AI & immersive learning combined don’t just save companies time and effort on creating and distributing upskilling and reskilling initiatives. They open the door to countless opportunities, to save money, improve engagement, and reduce risks. The top benefits include:
Personalized Learning Experiences at Scale
Education isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience – or at least it shouldn’t be. But traditional training strategies are often generic. AI-driven immersive learning experiences empower companies to create personalized experiences at scale. Employees don’t just get a one-size-fits-all simulation.
They get to dive into a training environment alongside a coach or AI system that can adjust content in real-time to match their individual strengths and weaknesses. Employees get systems that can provide additional guidance when needed, adapt to their goals, and even tackle dynamic issues as they arise. Everyone gets the exact level of support they need.
Plus, with AI, companies can flex training scenarios as needs change, adding new modules based on emerging trends with generative AI, or more advanced assistants for complex simulations.
Immediate and Actionable Feedback
XR is great for plunging teams right into the heart of real-world simulations – but unless there’s another person there providing guidance and support, these employees don’t get to see how well they’re performing, or what they need to improve until later.
Conversational AI tools with access to real-time performance data and insights don’t have to wait to the end of a course to give everyone a basic score. They can instantly deliver feedback when staff members need it most. For instance, imagine a technician was learning how to troubleshoot a machine issue in VR, an AI guide could tell them when they were focusing on the wrong parts, or making risky decisions, as they learn.
A VR solution with built-in hand-tracking and gesture recognition makes it easy for AI to see what employees are doing, and nudge them in the right direction.
Rapid Content Development and Deployment
AI isn’t just great for content creation – but it can make producing content for immersive training a lot easier, and more efficient. Aside from gathering the data and insights needed to create highly personalized and relevant courses, AI can help bridge the gaps in app development.
Plenty of AI innovators are experimenting with tools that can create code, digital twins, and environments for XR applications. Even Meta has its own range of educational solutions. The great thing about AI, particularly generative AI tools, is that they can also make content more scalable.
Companies can create the content they need for a VR training module, then ask AI to adjust it to suit an AR experience, or implement new elements like haptic feedback.
Increased Engagement and Enhanced Retention
Studies into AI & Immersive training are already highlighting how much of an impact these technologies have on learner engagement. PwC found that employees using VR for training, instead of traditional modules, were 275% more confident applying their skills, and more emotionally connected to the content they saw.
Add AI into the mix, and you unlock a range of new ways to boost engagement through immediate gamification and personalization. People can actually interact with characters in their immersive environments, ask questions about content and get real-time feedback.
Because they’re fully embedded in the experience and supported every step of the way, employees are also more likely to retain that knowledge for longer. That means less time and money spent retraining and reskilling every staff member.
Enhanced Data-Driven Decision Making
If there’s one thing that AI does incredibly well, it’s gather and optimize data. Although a lot of XR educational platforms come with built-in tools for tracking things like employee performance metrics, AI can take insights to the next level.
An AI system aligned with haptic feedback, eye, and gesture recognition tools could identify exactly how engaged and focused employees are through each stage of the training scenario. It could assess how stressed or excited they feel, and adjust in real-time.
AI tools can align training data from dozens of different scenarios to give businesses more comprehensive ideas of which training strategies really drive the best results.
AI & Immersive Learning Industry Use Cases and Examples
Still unsure about the full potential of AI & immersive learning? Plenty of other companies across industries are already experimenting with opportunities. For instance:
Healthcare: Improving Patient Care and Clinical Skills
Healthcare is one of the top sectors embracing both AI & immersive learning today. Platforms like MedVR and Osso VR allow medical professionals to practice surgical procedures in XR, while getting real-time feedback from AI assistants.
Organizations like Virtualeap are already experimenting with cutting-edge cognitive training experiences in VR, designed specifically for healthcare teams. Plus, AI in XR training can help professionals master patient care strategies too, showing them how to adapt to different patient requirements with life-like simulations and NPCs.
Manufacturing and Engineering: Enhancing Productivity and Safety
Manufacturing companies are also using AI and XR to boost productivity, accuracy, and workplace safety. AI-driven AR solutions, like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Guides, combined with AR glasses, offer workers real-time instructions, translations and more overlaid onto physical equipment.
Adient is a great example of a company already using smart glasses and AI to support factory workers who need to learn how to perform complex tasks on the job. Similarly, the VR forklift training developed by Flint Systems allows professionals to train in a metaverse space without risk, while accessing real-time conversational AI support.
Financial Services: Ensuring Compliance and Security
In highly regulated industries like finance, AI & immersive learning solutions can work together to improve team performance at speed. Employees can engage in virtual simulations that show them how to spot fraud, financial crime, or cybersecurity incidents, or even just improve customer service.
Credit Agricole already uses VR training through HTC VIVE headsets to improve training outcomes and give staff members real-time feedback on posture, decision-making, and tone, with AI. The company has rolled out more than 23 training initiatives across branches.
Retail and Customer Service: Enhancing Interpersonal Skills
It’s not just about improving technical skills. Retail and ecommerce leaders like Amazon and Walmart are using AI-powered immersive training initiatives too. Walmart’s VR training experiences use AI NPCs to help employees practice managing difficult customer interactions.
Amazon’s customer service training modules (mentioned above), use AI analytics to personalize training experiences instantly. Both companies have seen incredible results, from improved learner engagement to better long-term knowledge retention.
What to Look for in an AI & Immersive Learning Solution
So, if you’re ready to upgrade your immersive training strategies with AI, where do you start? There are a lot of companies that offer flexible tools for modern teams. The best strategy is to start by identifying your needs first. From there, look for vendors that offer:
- Interoperability: The best AI & immersive learning solutions need to integrate with your existing tools. Look for interoperability with LMS solutions, HR software, talent management platforms, and knowledge bases. Check for APIs for extensive connections.
- Customization Options: AI and XR should work together to make content more personalized. Make sure you can easily customize your solutions without the need for extensive technical skills. Look for low-code, no-code platforms where possible.
- Security and Data Privacy: AI-driven platforms and XR tools capture a lot of data. Make sure your solution adheres to global data privacy standards, offers end-to-end encryption, and connects with secure cloud storage systems.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Check for systems that can adapt to suit different XR strategies (VR and AR headsets), and AI models. Explore versatile deployment methods too, such as cloud-based, hybrid, and on-premises options.
- Support and Expertise: Check your vendor has a background working with companies in your industry. Make sure they can offer comprehensive support, guidance, and technical assistance when you need it.
If you need more help choosing the right vendor, check out our guide to comparing AI-powered immersive learning solutions here.
AI & Immersive Learning: Challenges and Considerations
The benefits of immersive training are already massive. Adding AI into the mix will only introduce more value for enterprises. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges to overcome.
First, there’s the cost. Buying XR hardware (headsets and smart glasses), and paying for the software you need to create AI-powered learning experiences can be expensive. There are various fees to consider, from licenses, to content development costs. The good news? Usually, these costs are offset by reduced retaining needs, higher productivity, and operational cost savings.
On top of cost, you’ll need to think about:
- Complexity: Integrating AI tech and advanced XR solutions into workflows can be tricky. Your team might need additional training or new hires with specific technical skills. Partnering closely with experienced vendors, starting small, and scaling gradually can help.
- Data and Security Risks: AI relies on data – and XR solutions can gather a lot of information too, particularly with haptic feedback, gesture, and eye recognition software. Make sure you know how you’re going to maintain compliance.
- Ethics and Privacy Concerns: AI-driven learning might track employee behaviors, and even biometric data, potentially raising ethical questions. Establish clear data governance policies, be transparent about how you use data, and conduct regular content audits.
Future Outlook: The Next Frontier of AI in Enterprise L&D
If you think AI & immersive learning are powerful now – we’re just getting started. AI and XR technologies are both evolving rapidly. Going forward, countless new trends and opportunities could emerge. We might see:
- Versatile AI Coaches: AI-driven virtual coaches could become standard, guiding learners through personalized training sessions from start to finish. Agentic AI solutions could even enable coaches that can handle everything from content creation and optimization, to data-tracking, live feedback, and long-term module updates.
- Emotional Recognition: With access to more insights from haptics, computer vision, and sentiment analysis, AI tools will be able to react in real-time to what employees feel. Imagine a training assistant who can recognize frustration or uncertainty in real-time, providing immediate encouragement or personalized advice exactly when needed.
- Advanced Avatars: Avatars in XR environments will become more human and realistic, mimicking real-world people with incredible accuracy. This could strengthen soft skill training, and improve emotional connections with training modules.
- Collaborative Environments Enhanced by AI: AI-driven collaborative virtual spaces will also grow, enabling remote teams to engage in shared immersive learning environments. These environments could include intelligent virtual assistants, facilitating dynamic teamwork, real-time problem-solving, and improved communication across global teams.
Meanwhile, vendors will continue to make AI and XR solutions more flexible, accessible, and customizable to suit the needs of every industry.
AI & Immersive Learning: The Future
AI & Immersive learning will change everything we thought we knew about upskilling, reskilling, and supporting employees. They’ll pave the way to an environment where every company can personalize learning, provide instant feedback, and enhance engagement while reducing costs.
As AI and XR technologies grow even more impressive, there’s no limit to what these solutions could accomplish together. If you’re ready to learn more about the potential of AI & immersive learning for your business, check out our guide to the proven use cases of AI immersive learning here.
Alternatively, learn how to measure the ROI of AI-powered XR education in the workplace.
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