Whether AI becomes an all-pervasive part of modern life or not remains to be seen, but there’s one area in which AI is very much having a significant impact: employee development.
The number of AI-powered employee development tools has skyrocketed in the past couple of years, and that’s something we can expect to continue in the years ahead. Already, these tools are showing that they can have a transformative impact on organizations; from helping employees develop their soft skills to putting together personalized employee coaching plans, artificial intelligence is providing innovative solutions to age-old problems and getting results.
Or, at least, some of them are. With AI very much having a moment, there’s no shortage of new employee development tools on the market. Alas, that doesn’t mean that all of them are worthy of investment. With that in mind, we thought it’d be a good idea to provide a round-up of the best AI tools for employee development that are currently on the market. Let’s take a look.
- Helix by 5app: An Outstanding Resource for Developing Employees’ Soft Skills
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. With automation on the rise, businesses are looking to boost their employees’ soft skills — not just hard skills — as a way to give themselves a competitive advantage. The problem? Developing soft skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence has been historically difficult for organizations.
Helix by 5app is designed to address this issue. A powerful AI tool, Helix works by silently joining the employees’ virtual meetings (such as on Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom) and analysing their soft skills in the following nine areas:
- Accountability
- Active Listening
- Change Management
- Coaching
- Coachability
- Communication
- Growth Mindset
- Results Focused
- Strategic Vision.
Once the meeting is over, the user will receive instant feedback outlining their strengths and weaknesses, as well as resources that can help them to develop their growth areas. The employee also has access to their own personalized dashboard that tracks their progress over time.
The platform is highly effective for developing soft skills, yet also extremely easy to use. It works on all devices and features a user-friendly design that makes managing the platform a breeze. 5app, the company behind Helix, is also guided by robust AI ethical principles and a commitment to data security and privacy, which gives the platform another tick in our book. In an age when soft skills can have a noticeable impact on the bottom line, this is an AI-driven platform that no organization can do without.
- Hone AI: An Effective Tool For Developing Employees’ Skills
Hone AI is a powerful AI platform that can be used to develop employee skills in a wide range of areas. It features three AI interaction modes — AI Coaching, which is designed to help employees get help with immediate problems; AI Practice, which offers role-play scenarios for employees (such as giving feedback); and AI Lessons, where employees can learn through an interactive conversation with an automated teacher.
It’s made waves thanks to its personalized content. Rather than offering a ‘one size fits all’ approach, Hone AI adapts its sessions to the user and the organization’s goals. It also offers analyst feedback and integrates with HRIS software, Slack, and Teams.
- BetterUp: Combining AI and Humans for Positive Results
It’s not correct to say that BetterUp is a true AI-powered software tool, since it still retains a human element. It would be better to say that BetterUp is a hybrid model. Still, we have to include it because of how powerful and effective the platform is for employee coaching and development. It’s a good all-rounder for organizations that want to improve operational efficiency/productivity and enhance employee wellness and satisfaction. Among other things, users can use the tool for:
- Roleplay scenarios
- Receiving coaching/guidance from within Slack/Microsoft Teams
- Speak to an AI-powered positive psychology expert
- Using AI to get paired with the right human coach.
They’re also strong advocates for data privacy and protection, giving peace of mind that you’re using a platform that adheres to the highest security protocols.
- ClearCompany: For Creating Personalized Learning Paths for Employees
ClearCompany’s mission is to help organizations manage all stages of the employee lifecycle, including employee development. Their platform features AI-powered tools that allow for the creation of personalized learning programs that align with the organization’s and employees’ goals, offer real-time coaching based on employee performance, and map internal advancement opportunities for employees, including what training they’ll need to step into the role. This employee development feature is in addition to all the other features of ClearCompany, which include intelligent onboarding, boosting employee engagement and retention, and setting fair salaries.
- Humu: A Platform That Gently Encourages Behavioral Change
Humu works to improve employee development, productivity, and engagement through subtle nudges and suggestions, which are sent to employees at AI-optimized times of the day via email, SMS, or chat. Rather than providing a more formal training program, Humu empowers each employee to take control of their own development. It’s a mix of AI technology backed by research-driven behavioral science, with the end result being a workplace that’s happier, more supportive, and more productive. The platform also offers extensive data insights to HR teams, including those related to employee engagement and morale.
- Yoodli: Effective for Speeding Up the Onboarding Process
New recruits who benefit from a good onboarding process are more likely to stay in their roles and perform better than those who do not. Yoodli is designed not only improve the onboarding process, but also to speed it up. The AI-driven tool offers personalized roleplaying and coaching to new recruits, allowing them to get up to speed with the practical realities of their new role significantly more quickly. It’s designed for customer-facing roles, ensuring that employees feel confident before their role goes live. It’s especially good at providing automated feedback on the new employees’ speaking habits, analysing factors such as the use of filler words, eye contact, and speed, and can provide action points for addressing those issues.
