AI in Training: Helpful Assistant or Risky Shortcut?

The utility and industrial sectors are under pressure to upskill workers faster than ever. With aging infrastructure, new technologies, and regulatory demands, training programs must be efficient, accurate, and built for real-world application.

That’s where AI comes in—or at least tries to.

Where AI Helps

AI can be a powerful tool for training teams, especially when used to support … but not replace … human expertise. It can:

• Speed up course development by summarizing content and drafting outlines
• Assist with grammar, formatting, and quiz generation
• Help break creative blocks and support multilingual learners
• Personalize training with adaptive content and feedback loops

These tools help new hires become job-ready faster, while giving instructional designers more time to focus on strategic planning and program improvement.

Where AI Falls Short

While AI tools offer speed and efficiency, they fall short when it comes to the level of accuracy, nuance, and real-world understanding required in safety-critical industries. In environments where human lives, equipment integrity, and regulatory compliance are at stake, generalized AI outputs can quickly become a liability.

• It lacks context—AI doesn't know how your systems work
• It can't make safety-critical distinctions
• Outputs may be inaccurate or overly generic
• There’s no built-in quality assurance—what looks polished may be flat-out wrong
• Privacy risks and integration with legacy systems can add hidden complexity

Human & AI: A Smarter Approach

AI works best when paired with experienced subject matter experts (SMEs) and instructional designers who can guide, refine, and validate what it produces. Critical thinking, contextual understanding, and real-world experience cannot be replaced by AI. SMEs and instructional designers know which details matter, how training aligns with company-specific procedures, and where safety risks demand extra scrutiny.

By using AI to handle repetitive tasks—like summarizing content, generating quiz questions, or translating basic materials—humans are freed up to focus on strategy, accuracy, and learner engagement. This partnership doesn’t just make training development faster—it makes it smarter, safer, and better aligned with both compliance requirements and operational realities. Speed means nothing without safety, compliance, and accuracy.

What’s the Bottom Line?

AI is a great assistant—but not the answer. Use it to support your team, not replace them. Getting something "almost right" simply isn’t good enough. Effective training requires precision, critical thinking, and firsthand knowledge—qualities only experienced professionals can bring. AI can help you move faster, but only your team can make sure you're moving in the right direction.