Are AI Avatars Taking Over L&D (w/ Kevin Alster, Synthesia) | Podcast

Are AI Avatars Taking Over L&D (w/ Kevin Alster, Synthesia) | Podcast | Whatfix

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Welcome back to the latest episode of the Des Adoption Show, where we host top L&D, HR, and tech luminaries to discuss the future of work and technology. I'm your host, Nias Smy, Growth Marketing Manager at Whatfix. Today, we'll explore the topic: Are AI Avatars the Future of Learning and Development? To delve deeper, we have a special guest with us, Kevin Alster, Head of Synthesia Academy, known for his insights on AI avatars.

Kevin Alster on AI Avatars

Kevin Alster, a well-known figure in the emerging tech space, has a profound interest in technology, learning, and design. At Synthesia, he helps businesses use synthetic humans and AI for workplace learning. He recently got married and shared his mixed-cultural wedding experience involving traditional Indian and Jewish rituals.

Understanding AI Avatars

AI avatars are human models created from real footage of actors, animated using AI that interprets the typed text. This technology at Synthesia reads the written words, generating an AI voice and animations that make the avatars' performance appear realistic. Crucially, it's designed to understand the context and tone of the script, enhancing expressiveness.

Core Benefits

AI avatars primarily help in saving time and cost in video production, a significant aspect in L&D:

Video Creation: Traditional methods of video creation involved storyboarding, scripting, and editing, which were time-consuming and expensive. AI avatars can create talking head videos quickly.
Translation: These avatars can also speak multiple languages, making cross-cultural training more accessible.
Editing Efficiency: Changes and updates to videos are simplified, reducing the need for extensive re-shoots or re-edits.

Customizing AI Avatars

There are two methods to create a personal AI avatar:

Webcam or Phone Camera: Users can record themselves and convert their performance into an avatar, with limited customization like clothing or background changes.
Studio Production: Higher quality avatars created in studios with more customizable elements, suitable for leaders who regularly communicate with global audiences.

Use Cases

Here are some successful applications of AI avatars in corporate learning:

Zoom's Sales Enablement Training: Interactive story-based training with avatars, enhancing learner engagement and motivation.
Dupont's Internal Courses: Transitioning from instructor-led to asynchronous courses, reducing training costs and time.
HID Global’s Communication Strategy: Using avatars to replace long webinars with short, engaging videos.

Measuring Effectiveness and ROI

The effectiveness of AI avatars in L&D is context-dependent. Metrics can include:

Engagement and Sentiment: Initial learner feedback and engagement levels.
Time to Develop: Speed of content creation compared to traditional methods.
Performance Metrics: Assessing the impact on specific learning outcomes tied to business objectives.

Can AI Avatars Replace Human Instructors?

Kevin believes that while AI avatars can handle instructional delivery, they can't replace the interactive and responsive nature of human instructors. Human involvement is crucial for understanding learner nuances and providing tailored feedback that static video content cannot replicate.

Conclusion

Thank you, Kevin Alster, for such insightful answers. AI avatars are quickly reshaping L&D, offering quicker, more cost-effective solutions while enhancing learner engagement. To our listeners, stay tuned for more content featuring incredible thought leaders. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. If you want to connect with Kevin, visit his LinkedIn. I'm your host, Niha, signing off.

Keywords

AI Avatars
Learning and Development (L&D)
Synthesia
Video Production
Translation
Customization
Engagement
ROI
Dupont
Zoom

FAQ

Q: What are AI avatars? A: AI avatars are human models created from real footage of actors, animated using AI that interprets written text to generate realistic expressions and voice.

Q: What are the primary benefits of using AI avatars in L&D? A: AI avatars save time and cost in producing videos, facilitate easy translation, and simplify editing processes.

Q: Can AI avatars be customized? A: Yes, but customization is currently limited to aspects like clothing color and backgrounds. However, higher-quality avatars with more customization options can be created in studios.

Q: How do companies measure the effectiveness and ROI of AI avatars in L&D? A: Effectiveness is measured through engagement and sentiment metrics, time to develop content, and performance metrics aligned with business objectives.

Q: Can AI avatars fully replace human instructors? A: While AI avatars can handle information delivery, they can't replicate the interactive and responsive nature of human instruction, which remains essential for effective learning.