In today’s fast-moving digital world, training providers face immense pressure to stay relevant and competitive. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s rapidly transforming how we create, deliver, and manage learning experiences.
In our webinar with Darren Winter, Company Director of Duco Digital Training and PhD student in AI Ethics, our Commercial Director of findcourses Alex Bird, discussed how AI is impacting the education and training sector. Whether you’re a small independent training provider or part of a larger learning organisation, the key message is clear: embracing AI is no longer optional—it’s essential. Here are the main takeaways from that session.
Why AI Matters Now
AI is reshaping industries, and education is no exception. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations were forced to move operations online, accelerating digital transformation. Since then, expectations from learners and organisations have grown significantly.
AI presents an opportunity to meet these expectations by:
- Increasing operational efficiency
- Delivering more personalised and engaging learning experiences
- Helping organisations respond to rapid technological changes in the workplace
Many countries have already introduced national AI policies, and it’s worth checking your country’s stance to understand how this might align with your training or business goals.
Three Core Areas Explored
1. How AI Can Be a Game-Changer for Training Providers
AI isn’t just about robots or automation—it’s a tool that can extend your organisation’s capabilities. Here’s how:
- Course Development Efficiencies: Platforms like LearnWorlds are integrating AI to help create course content quickly, including quizzes and certifications. You can even build a course outline directly in tools like ChatGPT.
- Assessment & Evaluation: Some tools can assess learner submissions, although this raises quality concerns—especially if learners are also using AI to generate their answers. Like the arrival of calculators in education, the key is ensuring students understand the why, not just the what.
- Enhanced Learner Support: AI tutors and chatbots can offer 24/7 support and guidance, but they should be clearly labelled as AI-generated content and never replace the human touch.
- Content Localisation and Marketing: AI can translate and tailor content for global audiences, while also helping with social media, SEO, and email campaign automation.
- Scalability: Small teams can do the work of many with AI—whether it’s data analysis, report generation, or market research—but human oversight remains critical.
2. What Learners Want—and How to Respond
Learners today are more career-focused and results-driven than ever before. They want:
- Content that helps them future-proof their careers
- Practical skills that improve current job performance
- Re-skilling pathways into AI-related roles
But many learners (and providers) also feel uncertain or intimidated by AI. Your role as a training organisation is to instil confidence and clarity—not just through high-quality content, but by addressing common concerns and ethical considerations head-on.
Start small. For example, you don’t need to overhaul your entire course catalogue—just weave AI examples into existing modules. If your learners are studying finance, HR, or marketing, show them how AI applies in those fields using real-world case studies from sources like IBM, McKinsey, or Microsoft.
3. How Small Providers Can Compete
Large EdTech platforms have scale, funding, and dedicated teams. But smaller providers can still thrive by being agile and responsive.
Here are some practical actions:
- Start with one department (marketing, course creation, learner support) and explore how AI can solve specific problems.
- Nominate an “AI Champion” within your team to explore tools, suggest use cases, and test solutions—safely and responsibly.
- Use trusted platforms like Capterra, G2, and Product Hunt to explore AI tools reviewed by real users.
- Stay up to date with evolving AI regulations, especially if you’re serving learners in the EU. The EU AI Act is the first global AI law and is setting a new standard for ethical use.
Balancing Innovation with Ethics
AI can help you work faster and smarter—but don’t lose sight of trust and transparency. Data privacy, accountability, and quality assurance must remain top priorities.
Make sure your learners know when content is AI-generated. And avoid blindly trusting output from AI models—always review and verify it, especially when it impacts learner outcomes or decision-making.
Final Thoughts: AI Is a Tool, Not a Threat
We’re all in uncharted territory. None of us have done this before, and that’s okay. The key message of the session was not to fear AI, but to understand it. Work with it. Use it to support your learners, scale your operations, and build better experiences. Take small steps, experiment safely, and always come back to your core values—delivering meaningful learning with integrity.
If you’re looking for support, training, or just someone to bounce ideas off, feel free to connect with Darren on LinkedIn or visit Duco Digital Training to explore their AI courses, and look out for more webinars about AI and other exciting subjects in business and technology to grow your knowledge.
Interested in watching the full webinar to gain further insights on how you can use AI to future-proof your training organisation? Watch the webinar on-demand to discover Darren Winter's top tips and best practices.
