CMU, Accenture Advance AI in Workforce Training

Organizations face a growing demand for technology skills among their workers. Carnegie Mellon University and Accenture are uniting the university's deep expertise in developing and deploying artificial intelligence systems for real-world change with Accenture's industry-leading training solutions to advance the understanding and application of AI in workforce development and strategy. 

This new initiative — the Carnegie Mellon Accenture Center of Excellence for AI (ACE-AI) — will explore the potential of AI to enhance the training process, create modular content personalized for each learner, and capture and analyze learning data for improved outcomes. ACE-AI aims to take personalized training experiences to new heights by building AI agents that serve as tutors, coaches and career counselors, while extracting insights to optimize training methods and identify at-risk learners for timely interventions.

"Technology continues to reshape the workplace, and at a particular speed over the past few years with the widespread adoption of AI," said Kishore Durg, global lead for Accenture LearnVantage. "For organizations to keep pace with technology transformation, they need skilling programs for their people that can quickly adapt and scale as the business landscape shifts."   

A multidisciplinary team of CMU faculty, working with learning experts from Accenture, will drive the center's work. Researchers in computer science, human-computer interaction and public policy will use the latest AI tools to design systems that enhance the training process and achieve industry goals. 

"At Carnegie Mellon, we see AI as a force multiplier for how people learn and work. We are excited to combine our expertise in AI research with Accenture's unparalleled reach in workforce training," said Seth Copen Goldstein, an associate professor in the Computer Science Department at CMU's School of Computer Science (SCS). "ACE-AI will explore how to deliver AI that makes learning more effective, trustworthy and human-centered. We will support people at every level, from the C-suite to the frontline, by rapidly generating tailored content, deploying intelligent tutors and coaching agents, and using analytics to surface needs and opportunities in real time. Together, we are reimagining how organizations prepare their people to thrive in an AI-enabled future."

A key component of the endeavor is developing dynamic intelligent tutoring systems and AI agents that deliver customized training plans and personalized content to learners. 

Throughout every stage, the system will capture, analyze and model learning analytics to provide adaptive training with continuous feedback. It will also offer insights to individual learners and a clear view of how AI-powered engagement drives efficiency in the learning process.

Goldstein leads CMU's ACE-AI team, which also includes SCS faculty members Christopher Bogart, Can Kultur, Bruce McLaren and Jaromir Savelka; The team also includes Christophe Combemale, Ramayya Krishnan, and Beibei Li from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy; and members of the Technology for Effective and Efficient Learning Lab, McLearn Lab, and AI Measurement Science and Engineering Center.  

From Accenture LearnVantage, Durg is sponsoring this effort with leadership from Majd Sakr, also faculty in SCS, as well as Swati Sharma, Michael Conway and Aditya Palnitkar.

For more information about the center, visit the ACE-AI website.