Creating training has always been complicated, costly and time consuming. Sometimes that single module took entire instructional design teams, SMEs, video editors, voice talents, or eLearning developers to get to the finish line. But the world is different now — and quickly so.
AI is changing the game when it comes to how training content is created, delivered, and exchanged. In fact, many of the tools now adopted by instructional designers and other learning professionals are all about tenfold (or more) accelerating time to completion on a project, reducing the time it takes to build something from a week to a day (or even an hour), not just amping the overall quality.
Organizations are leading the charge in this revolution, providing custom eLearning development services that use AI to enable small businesses, startups, and nonprofits to create cutting-edge training content quicker and more professionally.
This article takes a closer look at how AI tools are shaping eLearning—from the brainstorming and scripting stage to voiceovers, video avatars, interactive testing, and SCORM packaging—and answers important questions such as:
- How much does it cost to create an online course today?
- What AI tools are worth investing in?
- How do you ensure your training remains engaging and effective?
- What’s the best LMS for a small business?
Let’s get started.
AI Tools for Developing Training Programs
But before we get into the details of how AI speeds up development and makes it more efficient, let’s take a look at the types of AI tools that exist today and see how they are being used in the various stages of the course creation pipeline. From planning to print, AI is not a novelty anymore — it is part of the foundation.
1. Content Ideation & Scriptwriting Tools
Instructional designers used to start from scratch when outlining a training course. Today, AI-driven tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai can help generate:
- Course outlines based on a learning objective
- Training scripts and dialogues
- Summaries and key takeaways from existing documents
- Icebreakers, discussion prompts, or quiz questions
These tools are especially helpful for non-writers or subject matter experts (SMEs) who need help translating technical knowledge into learner-friendly language.
Example Workflow
- Prompt ChatGPT: “Create a beginner-friendly outline for a sales onboarding program for SaaS.”
- Receive a 6-module structure within seconds.
- Use it as a foundation to build your training assets.
2. Voiceover & Narration Generators
Once you have a script, AI can step in to produce the narration.
Tools like ElevenLabs and WellSaid Labs use neural networks to clone realistic human voices—often indistinguishable from professional voice actors. Features often include:
- Accent selection
- Tone customization
- Multi-language support
- Pausing, emphasis, and inflection control
This step alone used to take days of coordination, recording, and editing. AI narration tools now make it possible in under 15 minutes.
3. AI Video Creation Tools
If you’re building an onboarding video or explainer module, you no longer need expensive cameras or editing suites.
Platforms like Synthesia, Veed.io, and Pictory allow you to:
- Select an AI presenter/avatar
- Add your script for narration
- Upload brand visuals or slides
- Export HD videos ready for LMS use
You can also localize these videos for global teams by simply changing the language input—no need to recreate the visuals or re-record.
4. Automated Instructional Design & Authoring
Tools like Articulate 360 (especially the new AI Assistant), Rise, and Adobe Captivate now integrate AI to speed up content formatting and instructional scaffolding. They can:
- Recommend assessments for each learning goal
- Auto-populate templates with sample content
- Suggest visuals and interactions based on text input
This is particularly useful for teams that know what they want to teach but aren’t sure how to translate it into engaging eLearning content.
5. Assessment & Feedback Automation
AI can also assist in
- Auto-generating quizzes from existing course material
- Providing real-time feedback based on learner responses
- Analyzing learner data to adjust future training content
For instance, some platforms like Docebo, LearnUpon, or 360Learning offer built-in AI analytics that adapt content paths or suggest reinforcement learning materials based on performance.
6. Localization and Accessibility Tools
Translation and accessibility used to be major time sinks. AI has significantly eased this burden with:
- AI-powered translation engines that maintain context and tone
- Auto-captioning and screen reader optimization
- Synthetic dubbing into multiple languages without re-recording
These tools ensure your training programs meet compliance requirements and are usable by a global, diverse workforce.
With these tools in place, you’re no longer building training from scratch. You’re assembling it intelligently—choosing the right components, customizing as needed, and focusing your team’s energy where it matters most: engagement, accuracy, and results.
Why Speed Matters: AI’s Impact on Content Production and Prototyping
In the traditional course development cycle, each phase—content writing, scripting, narration, animation, LMS setup—could take days or even weeks. But with AI tools now automating major chunks of that process, we’re seeing a shift toward rapid prototyping and iteration.
Old vs. New Workflow
| Phase | Traditional Development | AI-Powered Workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Scripting | 2–4 days | 30 minutes using AI copywriting tools |
| Voiceover Recording | 3–5 days | Instant using ElevenLabs |
| Video Production | 1–2 weeks | 1 day with Synthesia |
| Interactive Elements | Manually coded | Auto-generated via Articulate AI |
| Localization | Expensive + time-heavy | AI auto-translation in 120+ languages |
Net result: Training content that used to take 6–8 weeks to build can now be delivered in 1–2 weeks with the right AI-enhanced workflows.
That speed matters—especially for growing organizations dealing with team expansion, new customer onboarding, or compliance deadlines. AI isn’t just speeding things up—it’s helping businesses scale training without scaling their teams.
Key AI Tools Transforming eLearning (And How They Work)
Let’s walk through some of the most powerful tools now used by instructional design agencies like SkildLabs.
ElevenLabs: Hyper-Realistic Voice Cloning
Imagine creating a professional, multilingual voiceover in minutes—with zero microphone time. ElevenLabs lets you:
- Clone your voice (or choose from existing voices)
- Generate narrations in dozens of languages
- Maintain tone, emphasis, and realism
- Update content without re-recording
Use case: You’re onboarding new customer support reps in different regions. ElevenLabs lets you instantly generate voiceovers in English, Spanish, and French—without hiring three voice actors or using robotic-sounding TTS tools.
Pro Tip: Combine ElevenLabs with scripts generated by ChatGPT or Jasper for a lightning-fast narration workflow.
Synthesia: AI Video Avatars That Scale
Synthesia lets you create studio-quality training videos using AI avatars. Choose from 140+ presenters (or create your own custom avatar), input your script, and boom—you’ve got a professional video.
Benefits
- No need for cameras, actors, or studio time
- Localize with auto-subtitles and multilingual support
- Embed directly into your LMS or SCORM course
Use case: You want to replace your old 60-minute PowerPoint with a modern microlearning video series. Synthesia lets you break it into 5-minute chunks, delivered by a relatable avatar in your brand voice and tone.
Articulate 360’s AI Assistant: Smart Course Authoring
Articulate, one of the most trusted eLearning platforms, recently rolled out AI Assist, which can:
- Generate course outlines based on topic prompts
- Auto-fill content blocks
- Draft knowledge checks and assessments
- Suggest visuals for engagement
Use case: You’ve got an SME-approved outline for cybersecurity basics. Articulate AI can help you build an interactive module—complete with scenarios and quizzes—in less than a day.
Other notable AI tools
- Vyond AI: Animated video generation
- Descript: AI audio/video editing with transcript-based editing
- Tome: AI-powered storytelling slideshows
- Lumen5: Convert blogs into video content
The Economics of Smart Training: How AI Reduces Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Create a Training Program?
We have spoken and written at length about the cost of course development, but AI has definitely impact the instructional design world. In our experience, creating a fully polished 1-hour course traditionally requires approximately 60 to 260 hours of work, costing between $5,450 USD to over $13,500 USD, excluding the Subject Matter Expert (SME) fees.
Average cost of 1-hour course traditional development (USD)
$5,450 – $13,500 depending on length, complexity, and media.
With AI-enhanced workflows (in USD)
$3,000 – $12,500 for similar quality, length and often delivered faster.
Here are a few specific tasks that AI has had the biggest impact on:
| Cost Factor | Traditional (USD) | AI-Supported (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Voiceover (1 hr ~ 8,500 words) | $1,500+ | <$100 |
| Video Editing (5 min) | $3,000+ | <$100 |
| Localization (8,500 words / language) | $2,000+ | <$100 |
As you can see, AI doesn’t just speed up production—it can slash budgets by 30–50% while maintaining high production value.
AI ≠ Cutting Corners: Ensuring Quality and Engagement
One of the most common concerns we hear is, “Won’t AI make our training feel robotic or low quality?”. In the early days of the AI revolution, the answer was yes. The output produced by a lot of AI-enhanced eLearning tools was poor, but things have caught up fast. The answer now is…
Not if you use the tools strategically. Here’s how AI-powered instructional designers can maintain quality:
Blended Intelligence
- SMEs still shape the content.
- Instructional designers fine-tune flow and pedagogy.
- AI handles repetitive tasks, formatting, and multimedia generation.
Engagement-First Design
Tools like Articulate Rise, LearnWorlds, and Adobe Captivate let you embed:
- Interactive scenarios
- Simulations
- Gamification
- Micro-assessments
- Branching logic
These work seamlessly with AI-generated content and avatars.
Accessibility and Inclusion
AI tools now support
- Real-time subtitles and transcripts
- Screen-reader friendly formatting
- Diverse voices and avatars
- Multi-language delivery for global audiences
Bottom line: AI helps you create content that’s faster, cheaper, AND better—as long as you use it intentionally.
Building Smarter, Faster, and More Affordable Training Starts Now
AI tools aren’t replacing instructional designers—they’re amplifying them. And that’s good news for any organization that needs to create training programs quickly, cost-effectively, and at scale. By combining AI tools like Synthesia, ElevenLabs, and Articulate AI with a strategic partner like SkildLabs, you can:
- Launch better training programs faster
- Reduce development costs by 60%+
- Scale your internal and customer education without bottlenecks
- Stay ahead of the curve in today’s fast-moving digital workplace
We work with you as an extension of your team, whether you’re a scrappy 20-person startup or a growing non-profit with a new grant and new staff to train.
You bring the mission—we bring the training clarity, creativity, and speed.
Ready to Build Smarter Training Programs?
Don’t build your next course the old way. Let SkildLabs help you create a fast, engaging, and affordable solution using the best of AI and human expertise. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discover how we can bring your training vision to life—smarter and faster.