AI and the frontline: How smarter training is changing the game

AI is dominating headlines, transforming industries and sparking endless discussions. By 2030, it’s expected to contribute up to $20 trillion to the global economy. Yet, amid the hype, many organizations are still trying to determine what AI actually means for their day-to-day operations, especially when it comes to training frontline employees.

With frontline roles being fast-paced and unpredictable, traditional training methods often fall short. Employees don’t have time to sift through long manuals or sit through lengthy training sessions. They need immediate, relevant information that helps them do their jobs better. That’s where AI makes a real difference.

AI has changed how we learn. Now it’s transforming frontline training

AI has already revolutionized the way we consume information. From personalized recommendations on streaming platforms to real-time language translation, AI is making learning more intuitive and efficient. The same principle applies to frontline training across industries like retail, grocery and hospitality, where employees must quickly absorb and apply critical information on the job.

Josh Bersin’s latest research highlights the rise of the “Superworker”—employees who leverage AI to boost their productivity and decision-making. The same technology that enhances knowledge work is now reshaping frontline training, making it more dynamic, responsive, and personalized.

Across industries, AI-driven training ensures that employees receive the right information at the right time. In retail, AI can help sales associates stay updated on promotions and inventory changes. In grocery, it reinforces food safety compliance with timely reminders. In hospitality, it empowers staff with instant responses to guest inquiries, improving service quality. The ability to provide adaptive, real-time learning is changing the game for frontline teams working in fast-moving environments.

Personalized learning at scale is finally possible—with AI

Personalization has always been one of the biggest challenges in frontline training. A 2024 survey reported that 83% of frontline workers feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to know, and 55% have made mistakes due to stress. 

Every employee learns at a different pace, has different strengths and gaps and needs access to information that’s relevant to their specific role. AI makes this kind of personalization possible.Axonify’s AI-driven adaptive learning algorithms analyze each employee’s knowledge levels, identify areas for improvement and deliver targeted microlearning sessions. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, employees get the training they need, when they need it. The result is training that actually sticks, minimizing wasted time and maximizing impact.

Meet Max: AI-powered training that delivers answers in the flow of work

Training shouldn’t feel like an extra task. It should seamlessly integrate into the workday. Max, an AI-powered assistant is designed to provide frontline employees with real-time support.

Max acts as an on-demand resource, allowing employees to ask questions about procedures, policies, or product details and receive instant, accurate responses. Instead of flipping through training guides, employees can get the answers they need in the moment, empowering them to make better decisions, faster. 

And with support for over 60 languages, Max ensures that every team member, no matter where they are, has access to the information they need.

▶️ Want to see Max in action? Learn more here.

The future of frontline training is here—are you ready?

AI is not just a buzzword, it’s actively shaping the future of work. For frontline teams, AI-powered training means greater efficiency, better knowledge retention, and more confident employees. Organizations that embrace this shift will see stronger performance, reduced training costs and a more agile workforce.

The question isn’t whether AI will impact frontline training—it already is. The real question is: are you ready to take advantage of it?