GenAI At IMD: Personalized Learning Beyond The Classroom

In the fast-paced world of executive education, the hunger for knowledge is insatiable. Participants soak up insights from professors, peers, coaches, and program managers during intensive courses. Yet, once they return to their day-to-day responsibilities, questions linger, and new challenges emerge.

“Forward-thinking leaders understand that learning is not confined to the classroom walls; it’s an ongoing journey of growth and adaptation,” says Sarah Toms, Chief Learning Innovation officer at IMD — International Institute for Management Development.

However, traditional education settings often impose constraints on this journey. Time becomes a precious commodity, limiting opportunities for discussion and access to resources post-program.

Enter generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), a game-changer in the realm of learning. GenAI offers a platform where participants can delve into personalized learning experiences long after they’ve left the campus. This enables them to access personalized, relevant information in their preferred language, directly addressing their unique needs and challenges within the workplace.

“Through innovative pilot projects, we’ve harnessed the power of AI to create tailored learning environments,” says Toms. 

One such initiative is OWP+GPT, a customized version of OpenAI’s GPT-4, developed in a mere six weeks. This AI assistant draws on transcripts of classroom discussions, faculty-authored articles, and a vast repository of knowledge from IMD’s thought leadership platform, I by IMD. The goal? To provide participants with personalized answers in their preferred language, addressing workplace challenges directly.

“Moreover, we’ve transitioned from general-purpose AI models to a specialized ‘IMD expert AI’ approach,” Toms says. “By leveraging existing commercial solutions and developing internal AI capabilities, we ensure security, privacy, and flexibility.” 

In essence, this approach empowers IMD to leverage AI’s advantages while minimizing risks and retaining control over their systems and data.

Another pilot project integrates OpenAI’s DALL·E , enabling participants to express key takeaways visually. Drawing on the power of reflection, this visual approach enhances comprehension and critical thinking skills.

“It’s an AI model that can create images based on textual descriptions,” Toms explains. “This adds a visual expression of the learning process, empowering participants to creatively express and communicate their insights.” 

Drawing isn’t merely an enjoyable activity; it’s a potent tool for reflection in education. “Studies indicate that integrating drawing into learning exercises can boost comprehension, memory retention, and critical thinking abilities,” she adds.

By externalizing thoughts and rendering abstract concepts tangible, drawing facilitates deeper understanding and engagement with the material.

IMD is already expanding AI integration across all its programs – including MBA, EMBA, open and eventually custom enrollment executive education courses – with plans to immerse learners in extended reality (XR) environments. 

“The next phase entails integrating this AI capability into XR settings, providing learners with immersive experiences designed to stimulate critical thinking, expand perspectives, and cultivate new skills,” says Paul Hunter, IMD’s Director of Programs and Learning Design. 

Additionally, the business school is incorporating AI into online programs, enhancing interactivity and engagement.

“As an illustration, video files can be inputted into AI software, which then generates transcripts and recommends activities tailored to the content,” says Hunter. 

“This approach enhances the learning experience by fostering engagement and effectiveness, enabling participants to advance at their preferred pace, while ensuring that the material aligns with their level of comprehension and awareness.” 

But AI isn’t without its challenges. Bias and potential hallucinations remain concerns. To address these, IMD has established a steering committee and defined 10 AI principles – encompassing ethics, transparency, inclusion, sustainability, and more – to ensure ethical and responsible development.

“AI, though remarkable, isn’t flawless – it has its limitations,” Toms says. “That’s why we’ve implemented safeguards. Our steering committee ensures that our AI initiatives align with IMD’s strategic goals, while promoting communication every step of the way.” 

In the quest for ethical AI, transparency is paramount. “Our latest tool version emphasizes accountability, citing sources of answers and providing feedback mechanisms for users to report issues they encounter,” adds Toms. 

Recognizing the significant resource consumption of GenAI, IMD is also committed to minimizing its environmental footprint. Moving forward, the school plans to focus on smaller, task-specific models to maximize efficiency and sustainability.

And, unlike publicly available Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPTs, IMD’s AI tools ensure GDPR compliance. This includes removing personally identifiable information from class session transcripts before uploading them, and ensuring that no data about class participants is stored in LLMs.

Moreover, introducing GenAI into the learning environment necessitated educating learners on its ethical use. 

“An ethical code, outlining guidelines for interacting with AI-generated content, was implemented,” Toms says. “This code addresses issues such as plagiarism, copyright, and proper citation, while promoting ethical research and collaboration.”

To facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange – and to encourage the adoption of new tools – IMD has also implemented a phased training program aimed at demystifying AI technology and empowering its entire workforce. 

“IMD’s steering committee prioritizes human growth and wellness over automation,” Toms says. 

As the school navigates the frontier of AI in education, its commitment to ethical and responsible development remains steadfast, she adds. “With GenAI as our ally, we’re shaping a future where learning knows no bounds.” 

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