Interview with Anand Narayanan Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn

The education sector is witnessing a significant transformation with the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and internet of things (IoT). This revolution is being driven by 5G networks, which offer substantially higher bandwidth and lower latency. Industry leaders share their views on the technology trends shaping the edtech space, emerging use cases of these technologies and the challenges in deployment…

What innovative use cases have emerged for technologies such as AI/ML, AR/XR/MR and IoT in education? How are these technologies enhancing the learning environment?

While all of these have found their way into learning and education, not all are relevant and effective when it comes to professional education and adult learning at scale. For context, Simplilearn trains more than 100,000 professionals in a live format across the globe in domains such as coding, AI, data analytics, cloud, and devOps.

In this context, AI has been the most game changing technology, enhancing various aspects of content creation and assessment. It generates programme designs, assists in video and slide creation, checks for errors and creates seamless voice-overs with virtual avatars, speeding up content development. AI also enables impartial assessment of learners, including code generation and evaluation. Additionally, AI-powered virtual assistants respond to learners’ queries at any time, maintaining engagement and it can identify

learner drop-off risks and analyse feedback effectively.

While AR and VR cover interesting tools, their application makes more sense in hands-on operational situations such as on oil rigs or surgery training.

What ICT tools and platforms has your organisation implemented to enhance digital learning experiences? What are the main challenges faced while deploying new-age technologies? How are they being addressed?

ICT is a legacy term and we have all moved well past such terms today. Our entire learning is virtual and on the cloud. We use cloud-based async and live learning tools, virtual labs for coding practice, online simulations and online forums through Slack to engage learners. We utilise many other tools to make learning engaging and impactful. We also use strong analytics to track learners’ progress and make sure that our learner success team can nudge them at the right time when they are losing motivation to complete their programmes.

As remote and hybrid learning models continue to evolve, what are the key technological advancements you foresee shaping the future of education? How are you preparing to integrate these into your platform?

AI is a game changer, especially Generative AI (GenAI). AI makes programmes more accessible to the learner, can drive the learner at more granular levels, and hence, can drive strong outcomes beyond what simple cloud-based technology can achieve. Products such as co-pilot to help learners with coding challenges, and text analysers through GenAI to evaluate descriptive assessments are among the fore-runners of this innovation.

Also, I believe that the base today already comprises a “must have” tech stack: Virtual classes, cloud-based labs, cloud-based virtual assistant learning, online assessments and collaboration platforms such as Slack or WhatsApp are among these foundational technologies that every educator has to consider.

Going forward, how do you see the education space transforming in India? What will be the key drivers?

The ongoing growth of the professional pool and the expanding technology learning spectrum will make professional learning a “must have” for all enterprises. Enterprises will have to be on top of their game to keep up with the changing landscape. In addition, credentials from top brands (industry or university) will gain traction and become a viable alternative to more traditional education platforms and degrees. These credentials will be skill based and not based on a theoretical understanding of any topic. These credentials will increasingly find adoption in schools and universities as well, helping to bridge the learning gap between the formal education system and the skills required at the workplace. Also, GenAI and other such technologies will enhance and accelerate the programme’s success and delivery. Finally, edtechs will increasingly focus on “word of mouth” growth vs “paid growth”, which puts the onus where it needs to be – learner satisfaction.