Alexander Sheppard: “AI Enables Engaging Learners on a Whole New Level”

The rapid and impressive advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly influencing the field of learning and knowledge dissemination. In this context, the role of the Digital Learning Architect is crucial for driving the integration of modern learning technologies and methods.

Alexander Sheppard, Digital Learning Architect at i40 – the future skills company, explains the main responsibilities of this role and how AI plays a central part in the process.

What are your main responsibilities as a Digital Learning Architect, and how do you integrate AI into your work?

Alexander Sheppard: My primary task is to bring knowledge into an organization. We mainly focus on topics related to digitalization and how to present this expertise in a compelling, interactive, and sustainable way within a company. AI plays a central role in this. On one hand, it’s a top topic right now, and our clients are eager to learn more about it. On the other hand, we also use AI to generate ideas and content, edit text, create images, and so on. We aim to integrate AI into our processes as much as possible, with the efficiency gains being quite clear.

Which new technologies or approaches in AI and digital learning do you find particularly promising?

Alexander Sheppard: Current multimodal models in AI are very promising. These are systems that can process not just text, but also audio, video, and other formats, and output them in a “natural” conversational manner. The boundaries blur, and these systems allow for even deeper integration into daily work life.

Personally, I find the trend of Nano Learning incredibly fascinating. It’s the idea of presenting information in very short, digestible formats. This allows people to use moments like waiting for a meeting or during computer updates to learn complex topics in brief snippets that fit into even the busiest schedules. It eliminates the barrier of having to sign up for another training session, and learning becomes a natural part of everyday life.

How does AI contribute to the personalization and adaptability of learning content?

Alexander Sheppard: AI is disrupting the learning world just as it is transforming other sectors of the economy. It allows for the creation of individualized and targeted content, enabling engagement with learners on an entirely different level. Never before could content be generated so quickly and with such little effort. I am convinced that we will all increasingly consume information and knowledge generated by AI. Such a degree of personalization can only be achieved through generative AI.

What are the biggest challenges in implementing AI in e-learning and training programs?

Alexander Sheppard: The information conveyed must, of course, be accurate and coherent. We’ve all encountered “hallucinations”—false information generated by AI. In a training environment, this is unacceptable. Therefore, the robustness of the systems is crucial for us. This issue is gaining significant attention in both research and implementation, as some systems, depending on the field, still frequently hallucinate. This needs to be addressed; otherwise, AI-generated content can only be used to a limited extent and will fall short of the technology’s true potential.

How do you address data privacy and security concerns in AI-supported learning programs?

Alexander Sheppard: There is no question that AI can pose significant security risks, such as more sophisticated phishing attacks or targeted attempts to manipulate systems, like through prompt injection. We have excellent cybersecurity experts on our team who not only provide the necessary training but also continually monitor and update our internal systems. Nonetheless, connected systems, as is often the case with AI, are never 100% secure. This should be understood before implementing such technologies. Ultimately, most security incidents result from human error, so raising awareness among employees about these issues and how to respond appropriately is essential.

Cover: © Alexander Sheppard

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