The face of training changes constantly as technology advances and leadership learns better ways to onboard new hires and train current employees. Adding artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) into programs can help everyone prepare for a potential crisis.
Crisis management training informs people of what to do in case of an emergency. However, having the knowledge versus being calm and focused enough to implement these steps in the moment are two different things. With VR, workers can practice various scenarios to help them know exactly how to respond.
Safe Crisis Management Training: The In’s and Out’s
Most companies conduct professional crisis management training using scripts of potential events to demonstrate to employees how they should respond. For example, training managers may use videos and/or have employees role-play situations. And thanks to advances in AI and VR, you can effectively train employees how to prepare for a crisis, such as an active shooter, natural disaster or other emergency. Companies are responsible for keeping their employees safe, and ensure their employees also are equipped to protect their own safety.
This article will review five innovative ways you can utilize AI and VR in your crisis management training courses.
1. Crisis management simulation exercises.
In an article published in American Behavioral Science, researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic helped increase popularity and consumption of VR adoption. Data from the report indicates that the VR market will reach $58.5 billion by 2025.
Head-mounted displayed (HMDs), also known as headsets, can be more affordable to utilize for training simulations, even for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), thanks to a recent drop in consumer costs.
Yet, HMDs remain cost-prohibitive and difficult to afford and obtain for large segments of the working world. In these cases, according to Harvard Business Review, training managers can reduce both cost and logistical hurdles by having learners use own their phones and desktop devices. VR in crisis management training courses can give learners the ability to step into a simulated, low-stakes learning environment world, powered by an intelligent machine that can influence the experience according to how the user responds.
For example, using a VR simulation, employees can experience a fire breaking out in the building and practice the critical first steps, such as ensuring everyone evacuates safely. By navigating different actions and outcomes within the simulation, learners gain valuable insights into how their decisions impact the situation, preparing them to respond effectively in a real crisis and ensuring the safety of all employees.
2. Personalized learning with AI.
Training managers of crisis management courses can use AI to personalize sessions based on type of crisis, industry and roles. Depending on an employee’s job role, they may be in charge of different tasks such as phoning 911, while another pulls the fire alarm or sends out an SMS alert. Personalize the scenarios based on the person’s tasks they must complete. You can also change the script based on past trainings.
3. Practice reporting fraud at work.
Train staff to handle potential crises caused by other employees, such as financial fraud or non-life-threatening incidents that could impact the company’s well-being. Since owners and executives are responsible for around 39% of fraud cases, it’s crucial to prepare workers to act when they spot inconsistencies. VR can simulate the process of reporting concerns, allowing employees to practice following the chain of command and ensuring they feel safe raising issues to higher-ups or the board without fear of retribution.
4. Scenario-based training examples.
Humans learn from their mistakes and gain insight for future actions. VR headsets utilizes this by allowing employees to test various responses in a simulated crisis, so they can understand what to avoid in a real situation. For instance, consider an active shooter scenario. Company policy might dictate locking the door and staying out of sight, but what if the door doesn’t lock? VR can put the learner in situations where everything goes wrong — maybe a cell phone blares an Amber Alert, the door lock is broken, or someone forces their way in. By navigating these challenges, employees can practice staying safe even when the unexpected occurs.
In the real world, multiple crises can also happen simultaneously. For example, imagine a power outage in a building. A disgruntled employee might see this as an opportunity to strike, pulling the fire alarm to create chaos and make people more vulnerable to their attack. VR can allow you to create scenarios in which the employee responds one way and the computer throws something else at them to handle. Think of it like a video game, where you beat a minor villain but they get replaced with a larger one. Gamification in learning can prepare your learners to manage multiple crises at once, keeping them on their toes.
5. Identify strengths and weaknesses.
AI can take vast amounts of data, grouping and abstracting it while using sophisticated algorithms to analyze details and provide insights. What might take a human weeks or months to figure out, AI can accomplish in mere seconds. Corporate learning professionals can use AI to identify skills gaps and determine what training workers need to upskill. AI can also track specific employees’ training results and scenarios to help generate new trainings tailored to their function.
Why You Should Use VR in Training
While traditional in-class role-playing methods can teach employees how to handle crises, AI can pinpoint gaps in their training, and VR offers a more engaging and effective approach. As the cost of VR technology continues to decrease, investing in VR crisis management training becomes a logical choice for preparing employees to respond effectively in any scenario.
