Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept. AI tools are already influencing and revolutionising many aspects of daily life, from recommendation algorithms to smart assistants in our homes. It’s no longer just a buzzword.
According to Bloomberg, generative AI could become a $1.3 trillion market by 2032. What’s more, PwC claims that AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. To put that in perspective, that’s more than the current output of China and India combined.
As AI expert Nick Bostrom puts it, ‘Machine intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make.’
Indeed, artificial intelligence is transforming industries thanks to its ability to automate tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making. This influence extends to the learning and development (L&D) space, where AI is playing an increasingly crucial role.
Naturally enough, the rise of artificial intelligence has led to an explosion of AI tools, all vying for your attention. But with so many options, how do you identify the ones that deliver real value and fit your specific needs?
That’s where we come in. We’ve carefully curated a list of the top 20 AI-powered tools designed to empower learning professionals. Get ready to revolutionise your approach to learning and development.
Top 20 AI Tools for Learning Professionals
In compiling this list, we wanted to make sure it provides you with real value by selecting tools that serve specific purposes within your workflow. As such, for each area we’ve selected our favourite tool and three strong alternatives for you to explore.
Many of these tools offer freemium options or free trials, allowing you to put their functionality to the test before committing. We’d recommend exploring these options first, before purchasing a paid subscription.
Remember, the AI landscape is constantly evolving, so if you discover a hidden gem we missed, or if any information needs an update, please let us know. You can find us here.
1. ChatGPT
Purpose: Your own creative and administrative assistant
ChatGPT, the ubiquitous large language model (LLM) from OpenAI, has taken the world by storm. With its ability to generate human-like text and its massive user base (approximately 100 million users every week), it’s no wonder it’s a leading name in artificial intelligence.
For learning professionals, ChatGPT is a game-changer. You can use it to streamline content creation by generating drafts (think course outlines, scripts and practice problems). You can also summarise topics, fact check and proofread material.
This is an incredibly versatile tool in your AI arsenal.
2. DALL-E
Purpose: Image generation
DALL-E is a family of artificial intelligence models developed by OpenAI, known for their ability to generate images from text descriptions. It can create images in various styles, from photorealistic to paintings and even emojis.
Learning professionals can use this tool to create unique visuals for learning materials, presentations, infographics and so on. Please be aware that using these images might require specific permissions. Always read the terms and conditions before incorporating them within your content.
⇒ Alternatives: Midjourney, Nightcafe Creator, Stable Diffusion
3. Synthesia
Purpose: Video generation
Synthesia is one of the leading options in the ever-growing field of AI-powered video generation. They specialise in creating realistic videos featuring AI-generated human avatars. All you need to do is provide the script.
With Synthesia in your toolbox, imagine how easy it would be to create explainer videos with avatars that speak your learner’s native language or resemble their background. Perhaps it’s time to replace those boring PowerPoints and PDFs with engaging videos?
⇒ Alternatives: Pictory, Lumen5, InVideo
4. ElevenLabs
Purpose: Voice-over generation
ElevenLabs is a software company that specialises in converting text to speech using artificial intelligence and deep learning. You can choose from a variety of different voices, tones, accents and emotions. You can even clone the voice of a specific person.
As a result, you’ll be able to effortlessly generate high-quality voice-overs for your eLearning units and instructional videos. You could even convert existing documents into captivating audio lessons and release them as a podcast series.
⇒ Alternatives: Murf, Speechify, Voicebooking
5. Soundful
Purpose: Music generation
Soundful is an AI-powered music generation platform that leverages AI to generate royalty free music at the click of a button. You’re even able to select from a variety of theme and mood options to create a soundscape that syncs perfectly with your content.
That’s right, you can now generate music that’s the perfect length, mood and style for your instructional videos, podcasts, streams and more. This means you can wave goodbye to generic stock music and boost engagement with a soundtrack tailored to your content.
⇒ Alternatives: Mubert, Suno, Boomy
6. VEED
Purpose: Video translation and subtitling
VEED is a video editing software provider who offer translation features (in 125 different languages) using both subtitles or AI-powered voice dubbing. This empowers you to remove language barriers and ensure your content reaches the largest possible audience.
Subtitles, even in the same language, can be incredibly helpful. They provide additional support for learners who might struggle with accents, technical jargon, or have auditory processing difficulties. This will help you to foster a more inclusive learning environment.
⇒ Alternatives: Rask, Wavel, klap
7. Quizizz
Purpose: Quiz generation
Quizizz is an AI-powered tool that lets you create quizzes from existing content, such as text prompts, weblinks, YouTube videos, documents and so on. You can even fine-tune your assessments using the ‘Enhance with AI’ feature.
Assessments are a key part of any meaningful organisational learning approach, and no eLearning unit is complete without a quiz. Quizizz will automate this process for you, freeing you up to focus on actively engaging your learners.
⇒ Alternatives: Quizbot, Questgen, QuestionWell
8. Graide
Purpose: Assessment marking
Once you’ve launched your quizzes and assessments, you’ll then need to grade them. Graide uses AI to streamline this process for you. It can automatically grade a variety of question formats and provide feedback based on your previous inputs.
For learning professionals, this means less time marking and more time creating new learning experiences. The use of AI also helps to minimise potential bias in the assessment process, thereby supporting you in creating a fairer learning environment.
⇒ Alternatives: Gradescope, Turnitin, EssayGrader
9. Copyleaks
Purpose: Detecting plagiarism and AI generated content
Copyleaks is a software company who offer a suite of AI-powered tools focused on plagiarism detection and content originality. Their software can even analyse content and determine whether it was generated by AI tools.
In other words, educators can now safeguard the integrity of their assessments and stop the rise of AI-powered cheating. With 89% of students admitting to using ChatGPT for their homework, this is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved.
⇒ Alternatives: Scribbr, Plagium, AI Detector Pro
10. QuillBot
Purpose: Generating content summaries
QuillBot is an AI-powered tool that offers a variety of features to help users improve their writing. Whilst many of these features are covered by LLMs like ChatGPT, what we particularly like about QuillBot is its summarising and paraphrasing features.
This means you’ll finally be able to ditch those dense textbooks and weighty corporate tomes. Instead, Quillbot will transform academic articles, research papers and lengthy documents into clear and concise summaries. Just think about all the time you’ll save!
⇒ Alternatives: Jasper, Smodin, Hemingway Editor
11. Grammarly
Purpose: Proofreading your content
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps ensure your writing is clear, grammatically correct, and polished. As a result, you can forget about punctuation mistakes and typos. It’ll even help you to identify overused words and awkward phrasing.
As a learning professional, you know that your content needs to be precise and error-free. Don’t leave things to chance. By using Grammarly, you’ll ensure the quality of your course materials and earn plaudits for your professionalism.
⇒ Alternatives: Wordvice AI, WhiteSmoke, Ginger
12. Rocky.ai
Purpose: Your own AI coach
Rocky.ai is an AI-powered coaching platform designed to foster continuous learning and personal growth for individuals and teams. It uses conversational AI and behavioural science best practice to promote positive learning outcomes.
Learning professionals can use Rocky.ai to support their own development. Alternatively, they can share it with their team to fuel progress against organisational objectives. It’s perfect for goal setting, tracking and microlearning reinforcement.
⇒ Alternatives: Risely, Noa Coach, Bob AI
13. Quickchat AI
Purpose: AI chatbot creation
Quickchat AI is a platform that enables businesses to build their own custom multilingual AI assistants. You can import your existing knowledge base (data and information) into the tool and tailor your assistant in line with your specific needs and brand voice.
Armed with this intelligence, these chatbots transform into an incredible resource for your learners. They’re able to provide personalised conversational learning experiences, answer specific questions, and offer information based on individual needs.
⇒ Alternatives: Manychat, Ultimate.ai, Beebot
14. SurveyMonkey Genius
Purpose: Collecting learner feedback
Powered by OpenAI, SurveyMonkey Genius uses machine learning to help you create better surveys, gather responses, and analyse your data. You can even use their sentiment analysis tool to gauge your respondent’s emotions in open-ended answers.
For learning professionals, collecting feedback is an essential but time-consuming part of the organisational learning process. By leveraging AI, you can create effective surveys in seconds, freeing you up to focus on making data-driven decisions.
⇒ Alternatives: QuestionPro AI, Qualtrics, Typeform
15. Polymer
Purpose: Intelligent data interpretation
There are countless business intelligence tools out there to help you organise and make sense of your learning data. We’ve selected Polymer because it uses artificial intelligence to clean, analyse and prepare your data for further exploration.
This is handy, because most learning professionals don’t also happen to be expert data analysts. Polymer simplifies this process and enables you to glean the insights you need to refine and improve your learning programmes.
⇒ Alternatives: Akkio, Tableau, Sisense
16. Process.st
Purpose: Project planning
Most standard project management tools (see the alternatives below) now include AI-powered assistants and summary tools. However, we’d like to shout-out Process.st for its ability to automate repetitive tasks using generative AI and integration tools.
As a learning professional you have to keep on top of a variety of different projects, manage deliverables and meet deadlines. The right project management software helps you to stay on track, improves your efficiency and ensures your team is up to date.
⇒ Alternatives: Asana, ClickUp, Monday
17. Motion
Purpose: Personal day planner
Motion is an AI-powered task management tool designed to help professionals optimise their daily schedules and maximise their efficiency. It analyses your tasks, deadlines and availability to build a schedule that works for you.
Their tool will even help you to create a schedule that’s designed to combat stress and burnout. According to Motion, this will make you 137% more productive. That’s more time that you’ll have free to produce even better learning experiences.
⇒ Alternatives: Wrike, Inc., Trevor AI, Smarty.ai
18. Education Copilot
Purpose: Generating lesson and unit plans
No list of the top AI tools for learning professionals would be complete without Education Copilot. This is an AI-powered platform that’s designed to streamline lesson planning, training material creation and other learning-focused tasks.
Whilst it’s primarily aimed at teachers, this tool can also support corporate learning efforts. Imagine being able to generate content outlines, training plans or handouts in just a few clicks. This would help you to save time, reduce your workload and keep your stress levels in check.
⇒ Alternatives: TeachMateAI, LessonWriter, Gibbly
19. Presenter Coach
Purpose: Polishing your presentation skills
Presenter Coach is a built-in feature within Microsoft PowerPoint that’s designed to help users improve their presentation delivery skills. It uses artificial intelligence to analyse practice sessions and provide real-time feedback on presentations.
This tool provides a huge boost for instructors who deliver live training sessions (both virtually and face-to-face). After all, they’ll now be able to identify areas for improvement in pacing, remove filler words and introduce vocal variety, resulting in a more engaging learning experience.
⇒ Alternatives: Yoodli, Read AI, Poised
20. Growth Engineering
Purpose: An AI-powered learning platform
Growth Engineering (that’s us!) are learner engagement specialists and learning technology providers. We use AI across the Impact Suite to streamline administrative processes and support your learners in achieving their objectives.
For instance, imagine your learners engaging in a dynamic conversation instead of passively absorbing information. This becomes a reality with our AI learning assistant, powered by Quickchat’s multilingual capabilities and your organisational knowledge base.
⇒ Alternatives: N/A
Key Considerations for AI in Learning
While these AI tools offer exciting possibilities, it’s important to select and use them carefully to ensure they align with your learning objectives. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when evaluating these solutions.
- Focus on the Outcome: The AI space is moving quickly. Don’t get caught up in the hype and overblown marketing materials. Ensure your AI tools directly address specific learning objectives and improve the learning experiences you offer to your audience.
- Check Generated Content: Whilst AI-generated content is getting better all the time, you’ll still need to review it to ensure its accuracy and appropriateness for your target audience. Even the best AI-powered solutions are capable of hallucinations.
- Start with a Free Trial: Don’t feel pressured to jump straight into a paid subscription. Many providers offer a free trial or a freemium version of their tool. This allows you to assess the suitability of their offering before making a further commitment.
- Be Aware of Bias: Be aware of potential biases present in AI algorithms. Where possible, explore the tool’s development process and investigate how it addresses bias to ensure a fair and inclusive learning experience for all students.
- Don’t Become Reliant: Remember, these tools are here to support you, not replace you. Focus on using AI to personalise learning and free up your time so that you’re able to channel your energy into more interactive and learner-centred activities.
Final Words
There we have it. The world of AI in learning is constantly evolving. As new tools emerge and existing ones develop, we encourage you to stay curious and explore. After all, many of these tools are designed to automate your most tedious and time-consuming tasks.
In turn, you’ll be freed up and empowered to create more engaging and impactful learning experiences for your audience. The result? More motivated learners and satisfied stakeholders, all thanks to your embrace of innovative technology.
We’d love to hear your feedback and experiences with artificial intelligence in corporate learning or other fields of education. Let us know what’s working well for you, and if there are any hidden gems we might have missed.
In the meantime, good luck and happy automating!
Thank you for reading. Ready to take learner engagement to the next level? Download our ‘Science of Learner Engagement’ guidebook now and discover research-backed tips for creating dynamic learning experiences.
