What if your AI learning assistant woke you up to tell you about an urgent client cybersecurity breach, prepared personalized training materials, helped you practice key conversations, and joined you on the call to take notes? According to Bob Gerard, who leads Learning Ingenuity at Accenture, this vision of learning might arrive by 2026 rather than the distant 2035 future they originally imagined.
Bob's remarkable 27-year journey at Accenture reveals the evolution of corporate learning from traditional classrooms to today's AI-powered experiences. He shares the story of pioneering virtual classrooms using Lotus Notes without video or audio capabilities, laying the groundwork for future innovations. His theater background proved surprisingly valuable - as he puts it, learning and development became "the job that failed theater people do" where they "can still have a stage and add business value by performing."
The conversation takes a compelling turn when Bob explains the fundamental shift happening in corporate learning: "We are in the change business. Our job is behavior change." Rather than focusing solely on creating learning experiences, effective L&D professionals now concentrate on changing workplace behaviors to improve business outcomes. Through Accenture's SKY framework, they've transformed how they measure learning impact, aligning every initiative with specific business metrics.
Bob illustrates this approach with a fascinating case study where they addressed new hires "ghosting" the company in India and the Philippines. By creating an engaging interactive experience candidates could share with family members who mistakenly viewed Accenture as merely a call center company, they significantly reduced their renege rate and achieved measurable ROI within one month. This perfectly demonstrates how learning initiatives must solve the real barriers preventing desired behaviors rather than simply delivering information.
The future of learning promises hyper-personalization through AI that knows what you need, when you need it, and how you prefer to receive it. As Bob explores this exciting frontier, he remains equally passionate about his "sideline career" hosting two podcasts, including "Short for a Stormtrooper" - a 15-minute Star Wars podcast designed specifically for busy fans.
Ready to transform how your organization approaches learning? Connect with Bob on LinkedIn or check out the Learning Geeks podcast to continue exploring the fascinating intersection of learning, behavior change, and business impact.