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Kuinka tekoäly muuttaa oppimisjärjestelmiä: Miksi SCORM jarruttaa yritysoppimisen tulevaisuutta

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The legacy standard SCORM (stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model) has been the backbone of corporate e-learning for decades, powering training programs in companies across the globe.

But in today’s world of agile, AI-driven learning platforms, is this long-standing standard still pulling its weight? The short answer: not really. Here’s why AI-driven edtech platforms are gaining ground over outdated SCORM systems, increasingly incompatible with innovation.

Disadvantages of SCORM in the Age of AI

A quick refresher on SCORM: luotu 2000issa, this set of standards was designed to tell e-learning developers how to write their code so it integrates with other Learning Management Systems (LMSs). At the time, SCORM was definitely a big step forward, enabling courses to be interoperable and reusable across different Learning Management Systems (LMSs).

But the technology was developed twenty-five years ago – decades before the age of AI innovation – and it hasn’t kept pace with modern learning needs. SCORM’s rigid structure makes it incompatible with AI-driven learning, blocking features like adaptive pathways, real-time feedback, and real-time analytics – despite AI now offering huge opportunities for corporate e-learning and onboarding.

Missed AI Opportunity in Corporate Training

The problem is compounded by the fact that most LMSs are built around SCORM and often lack modern API support, AI readiness, or integration capabilities. This slows the adoption of adaptive systems, data-driven learning analytics, and generative AI – now familiar to nearly all employees (94%) and C-suite leaders (99%).

This leads to fragmented learning experiences and makes it harder to track and analyze outcomes across systems, reducing the strategic impact of L&D. Many companies delay switching platforms due to perceived costs and disruption, but this only extends reliance on outdated, less effective processes – causing hidden financial losses and lowering engagement.

The missed opportunity is huge: research in the Journal of Governance and Regulation found that AI-powered tools directly boost employee loyalty. When employees see genuine growth opportunities, supported by intelligent tools and measurable progress, they become more satisfied and committed.

SCORM Legacy Keeps Companies Stuck

Despite that, large enterprises still heavily rely on the standard: SCORM Compliant LMS Software market is estimated at $ 1.2 miljardia 2024. Meanwhile, SCORM Cloud data from Rustici-ohjelmisto shows millions of course launches monthly, with SCORM 1.2 still accounting for about 75% of course launches, as of 2023.

The main reasons are habit and legacy. A Ohjelmistoneuvontakysely of 150 corporate LMS users found the top drivers as LMS compatibility (32%), long-standing use (28%), and technical stability (17%).

As a result, companies are slow to update their e-learning with modern AI tools – because they have tens of thousands of SCORM courses in the library. Their whole training architecture is built for SCORM, and years of legacy keep them stuck.

New AI-Powered EdTech Are Changing the Rules

But the industry is starting to break free from its ‘stuck’ state. A wave of agile, innovative edtechs and startups are building SCORM-free LMS platforms from scratch, designed with AI-native experiences at their core.

Their capabilities are impressive. Take AI knowledge bases, for example. Upload all training materials, internal docs, and role-specific info, and employees can instantly get accurate answers pulled from your own content. It boosts productivity through consistent information sharing, faster decision-making, greater employee autonomy, and enhanced customer service.

AI-native platforms can also assess skills and identify gaps through simulations tailored to your product and client behaviour. Some big companies are already adopting this approach. Johnson & Johnson, for example, uses AI to assess staff and suggest personalized learning paths, while Bank of America uses AI simulations to train employees on real-world scenarios.

Personalisation offered by AI-powered learning is a major advantage with a direct impact on employee success. According to the 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, one of the top reasons employees said they would spend more time learning that year was: “If it’s personalised to my interests and career goals.”

Some platforms also take a hybrid approach: remaining SCORM-compliant while integrating AI tools. This lets enterprises keep their existing SCORM content while gaining AI-driven boosts in learning quality and insights. However, it still can’t match the efficiency of fully AI-native platforms.

Practical Transition from SCORM to AI Training

If your company wants to move away from SCORM without throwing out years of e-learning content, you don’t have to do it all at once. The smartest way forward is to take it step by step.

The first stage is to adopt a hybrid setup. Choose a modern learning system that works with both SCORM and AI-powered features. This way, you can keep using your existing courses while adding AI tools on top. Make sure your new system can connect easily to HR and business platforms via APIs, so you can start improving data flow and reporting right away.

Next, begin a gradual shift towards AI-native content. Test new AI-driven modules in high-impact areas, such as onboarding or key skills training, where features like virtual tutors and real-time analytics will make the biggest difference. Over time, replace older SCORM modules with AI-native ones, focusing on the areas where analytics show the greatest gains in engagement and outcomes.

To reduce disruption and cost, roll out changes in stages. Start with one team or department, fix any issues, and share results before expanding. Keep legacy content available so nothing is lost, but phase it out as newer material proves its value.

Final Thoughts on Leaving SCORM Behind

Switching from SCORM is a mindset shift as well as a technical migration. AI will make learning faster, smarter, and more personal. The winners will be companies that treat training as a living thing, not a dusty archive. Invest in people by building training that helps them grow, think, and stay. The real risk isn’t change, it’s standing still.

Stan Suchkov, CEO and Co-founder of Kehittää, is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive who currently leads EvolveApp and also serves as the founder and lecturer at AI Corporate University, where he focuses on equipping middle and senior managers with practical AI knowledge and a clear understanding of how to apply it within their organizations.

He previously built and scaled a company to over $10 million in annual revenue before exiting successfully, and his career has been shaped by a strong bias toward action, experimentation, and continuous learning. Beyond his entrepreneurial work, Stan is deeply committed to people development, actively coaching and mentoring emerging leaders around the world. He brings a global mindset to his work and is driven by a mission to inspire and cultivate forward-thinking leaders who are prepared to lead in an increasingly digital and AI-driven era.