Workera Introduces Sage: An AI Agent for Automated Mentorship

Workera, a startup founded by Kian Katanforoosh, is aiming to revolutionize employee upskilling with its new AI agent, Sage. Inspired by the experience of working with renowned AI researcher Andrew Ng, Katanforoosh envisions Sage as a tool that can automate key aspects of mentorship, making it more accessible and scalable for companies and employees.

• Sage leverages the power of AI to assess an employee's skill level, goals, and needs.
• The agent uses short tests to accurately gauge proficiency in various skills, including writing, machine learning, and math.
• Based on the assessment, Sage recommends personalized online courses through platforms like Coursera, Workday, and others.

Sage: A Hyper-Specific Definition of Mentorship

While Sage offers a structured approach to skill development, Katanforoosh acknowledges that it's not a replacement for the multifaceted support of a human mentor.

• Sage focuses on objective skill assessment and course recommendations, not on providing emotional support, career guidance, or networking opportunities.
• The goal is to provide a more structured and objective approach to upskilling, filling a gap in the mentorship landscape.
• Even though Sage can't replicate the full range of human mentorship, it provides a valuable resource for employees who may not have access to personalized guidance.

The Need for Automated Mentorship in Today's Workplace

With the rise of remote work, employees often lack the face-to-face interactions and casual conversations with experienced colleagues that can foster mentorship. Sage addresses this gap by providing a personalized and readily available resource for upskilling.

• Sage is designed to meet employees where they are, providing a readily available and accessible platform for self-improvement.
• The AI agent aims to democratize access to mentorship, empowering employees to take control of their professional development.
• This can be particularly beneficial for employees who may not have access to traditional mentorship opportunities within their organizations.

Sage's Capabilities: AI-Powered Skill Assessment and Course Recommendations

Sage's core function is to assess an employee's skill level and recommend targeted learning resources. This involves a conversational approach where the AI agent engages with the employee to understand their needs and provide tailored support.

• Sage's assessment process utilizes a combination of AI models, including GPT-4o and OpenAI's o1 model.
• The AI agent leverages these models to evaluate skill levels, identify learning gaps, and suggest relevant courses from various platforms.
• Sage's conversational interface provides a more engaging and personalized learning experience, making upskilling more accessible and enjoyable.

Can an AI Agent Replace a Human Mentor?

While Sage provides valuable tools for skill development and assessment, it cannot fully replace the emotional support, guidance, and connections offered by a human mentor. However, Katanforoosh argues that Sage excels in areas where human mentors may struggle.

• Sage's objective assessment capabilities can provide more accurate and unbiased evaluations of an employee's skillset.
• AI systems are less prone to bias and subjective judgments, offering a more objective perspective on an employee's strengths and weaknesses.
• By automating assessment and course recommendations, Sage frees up human managers to focus on the emotional and strategic aspects of mentorship.

Mitigating AI Bias in Skill Assessment

One of the challenges with AI systems is the potential for bias, often stemming from the data used to train the models. Katanforoosh recognizes this issue and emphasizes the importance of bias mitigation techniques.

• Workera is committed to developing algorithms that reduce bias in AI models, ensuring fair and equitable assessment of employee skills.
• Katanforoosh believes that AI can be less biased than humans in the long run, as bias mitigation techniques advance.
• By addressing bias in AI models, Workera aims to create a more inclusive and equitable system for upskilling and professional development.

Sage's Future: Empowering Employees and Redefining Mentorship

Sage's initial rollout will focus on select customers, including defense technology provider Booz Allen, with wider availability planned for 2025. The AI agent represents a shift in how companies approach employee upskilling and mentorship.

• Sage's conversational interface and personalized learning recommendations are designed to empower employees to take control of their professional development.
• By automating key aspects of mentorship, Sage frees up human managers to focus on building relationships, providing support, and fostering a positive learning environment.
• Workera's approach to AI-powered mentorship highlights the potential for technology to enhance and redefine traditional mentorship practices.