Document Type : Original Article (Mixed)
Author
Department of Management, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract
Abstract
This research was done with the aim of providing a systematic model of employee training using artificial intelligence. The research method is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The statistical community in the qualitative section includes an unlimited number of experts familiar with the subject, and the statistical sample in this section is 20 people selected by the snowball method. The statistical population in the quantitative section includes all the specialists and experts related to the research subject in an unlimited number, of which 384 people were selected as a sample by a simple random method. Researcher-made questionnaires with confirmed validity and reliability were used to collect the data of this research. Data analysis in this research was done at two levels of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. To complete the Delphi process in this research, Kendall's coefficient was used with the help of SPSS software. In order to test the research model, structural equation technique was used through Smart-PLS statistical software, and the results show the appropriate fit of the model. The findings of the research show that the inputs of the model include 1- educational data, 2- personal information, 3- educational needs, 4- user feedback, and 5- data of the work environment. The model process also includes 1- determining the needs and goals, 2- collecting data, 3- pre-processing the data, 4- training the artificial intelligence model, 5- evaluating and improving the model, 6- implementing and deploying, and 7- monitoring and updating. Finally, the outputs of the model include 1- individual feedback, 2- educational suggestions, 3- monitoring and follow-up, and 4- support and guidance.
Extended abstract
Introduction
In 1950, Alan Turing, an English mathematician, wrote an article entitled "Computing Machines and Intelligence" and posed the question: "Can machines think?" This led to further exploration of the use of machines to support human decision-making, with the formation of a workshop in 1956. The workshop was organized by John McCarthy, an American mathematician, who focused on the "study of artificial intelligence" (Frehywot, 2023). As science and technology advance, since 2013, when Frye and Osborne estimated that nearly half of US jobs are at risk of high automation, AI has been at the top of policymakers' agendas, and now the consensus is that AI creates fundamental changes in the labor market. With the use of artificial intelligence, many skills that were important in the past become automated; many jobs are also obsolete or transformed; and artificial intelligence is increasingly used (Tuomi, 2018).
Artificial intelligence includes various related technologies, often supported by machine learning algorithms, whereby it achieves set goals through supervision (human-guided) or unsupervised (autonomous machine) (Walsh et al., 2019). Today, most experts believe that the implementation of smart technology will dynamically transform work environments. There are applications of artificial intelligence in all industries and professions, and human resource management is no exception to this rule. Therefore, for the organization to remain relevant and maintain its competitive advantage, it is necessary to adopt new technological developments (Kaushal et al., 2023). Today, the surprising speed of innovation in business processes and technology requires that the employees of organizations continuously acquire new skills and be able to adapt to changing practices. Thus, educational needs become more personalized (Ford et al., 2017). Employee skill development was once done entirely by on-the-job supervisors; but now with the increasing demand for new skills, technological advances have enabled training and development on mobile platforms, such as smartphones and laptops (Maity, 2019). Artificial intelligence should be applied to organizational learning to help companies solve their training challenges. When recruiting and hiring new employees, the main challenge is to quickly and effectively make them fully aware of and understand the organization's internal policies and procedures. Machine learning features have been incorporated into various HR software systems to facilitate greater efficiency (Iqbal, 2018). Even more comprehensively, the use of various artificial intelligence technologies can help companies develop a learning organizational culture and avoid the common training design model based on traditional competency model analysis (Chen, 2023). According to the above, considering the development of digital technology, especially artificial intelligence, and the increasing demand for personalized training, the past training methods are no longer able to meet personal needs, and the adoption of artificial intelligence-based training can effectively fill the shortage of personalized training. Therefore, the main question that the researcher seeks to answer in this research is: "What is the system model of employee training using artificial intelligence?"
Theoretical foundations
Artificial intelligence is often defined as a computer system with the ability to perform tasks normally associated with intelligent beings. The first explicit definition of artificial intelligence came in a funding proposal to the Rockefeller Foundation in 1955. This definition states that "any aspect of learning or any other characteristic of intelligence can originally be described so sufficiently precise that a machine can be built to simulate it." This initial definition quickly led to deep discussions. In practice, the early developers of artificial intelligence interpreted intelligence and thinking as the mechanical processing of logical statements (Tuomi, 2018). In another definition, artificial intelligence is defined as "making a machine behave in a way that would be called intelligent if a human behaved." Although artificial intelligence was defined in 1955, it has recently gained worldwide recognition due to the technological revolution. Artificial intelligence is discussed as non-human intelligence designed to perform specific activities and tasks (Kaushal et al., 2023). McCarthy describes artificial intelligence as the science and engineering of building intelligent machines through algorithms or sets of rules, that the machine follows to mimic human cognitive functions, such as learning and problem-solving (Frehywot, 2023). This definition provides a combination of AI capabilities and what it is.
Human resource management has undergone an early revolution with the help of artificial intelligence, which has gradually affected human resource operations. These functions, which were already performed entirely by humans, are being recreated with the help of a computer assistant. HR functions such as performance appraisal, learning and development, and talent acquisition are some of the areas where artificial intelligence has been introduced (Kaushal et al., 2023). By means of a variety of artificial intelligence technologies, it can be more comprehensive to help companies to form a learning organization culture that uses the traditional instructional design model based on traditional gap analysis. A customized curriculum can comprehensively test and locate staff levels through technical tools, and intelligently promote customized courses (Jia et al., 2018). In the process of education, AI technology can help learners automatically record learning data. Employees can simply enter learning objectives, archives and learn key points, and the course is automatically completed by the AI teacher (Jia et al., 2018).
Methodology
The current research is applicable in terms of its purpose. In terms of the method of data collection, it is descriptive-correlation in nature. The statistical population of this research in the qualitative part is made up of experts related to management issues (human resource management and system design) with a master's degree or higher in Sistan and Baluchistan province. In the quantitative part, all the employees of the departments of Sistan and Baluchistan province who have a bachelor's degree or higher, formed the statistical population of this research. The statistical population is considered unlimited in both qualitative and quantitative sections. Therefore, the sample size in the qualitative section is considered to be 20 people, selected by snowball method. In the quantitative part, Cochran's formula was used for unlimited communities with an error level of five percent, and the sample size of 384 people was determined and selected by simple random method. The tool of data collection in this research was researcher-made questionnaires. SPSS and Smart-PLS statistical software were used to analyze the data of this research.
Findings
The value of Cronbach's alpha for all variables of the research questionnaire is more than 0.7. Therefore, the research questionnaire has acceptable reliability. Also, the composite reliability value of all variables is higher than 0.7, which indicates the internal consistency of the reflective measurement model. All values related to convergent validity are also above 0.5, which indicates the similarity or internal validity of the reflective measurement model. Also, the reliability of the data collection tool and the quality of the reflective measurement model have also been confirmed.
Conclusion
Considering the importance and necessity of organizations to use artificial intelligence in the process of human resources management, a model for training employees using artificial intelligence was presented in this research, which has three parts according to the system mode: input, process and output. Model inputs include 1- educational data, 2- personal information, 3- educational needs, 4- user feedback, and 5- workplace data. The process of the model includes 1- determining the needs and goals, 2- collecting data, 3- pre-processing the data, 4- training the artificial intelligence model, 5- evaluating and improving the model, 6- implementing and deploying, and 7- monitoring and updating. The outputs of the model include 1- individual feedback, 2- educational suggestions, 3- monitoring and follow-up, and 4- support and guidance.
Keywords
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