Last week, I attended Learning Technologies to explore new developments that could enrich our clients’ learning journeys, identify the latest advancements in AI for both our clients and our own business and discover new technologies that could improve efficiency while reinforcing the value we deliver.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear this is an industry moving quickly. The event was full of energy, ideas, and innovation, with every stand offering a slightly different perspective on where learning is heading next. But across all of it, one thing stood out immediately: AI is at the heart of much of that transformation.
AI everywhere, but no clear formula yet
Almost every conversation touched on AI in some form. Yet what was perhaps more interesting was that despite how widely it is being adopted, there still seems to be no clear consensus on the best way to use it. In one conversation, it was even suggested that some organisations may already be approaching AI for content creation in the wrong way. That really stayed with me, because it reinforced an important point. AI itself is not the answer how you use it is the key.
What excited me were areas where AI is being used to move learning beyond static delivery towards a far more interactive experience. Rather than simply presenting information, AI is increasingly being used to help individuals identify what they need, access additional relevant resources, ask questions, deepen understanding and receive support in ways that make the experience feel like a personal conversation with a learning partner. That felt particularly powerful because it recognised something important: learning is not just about delivering information, it is about helping people engage with it, question it, discuss it and apply it.
AI as a thinking partner
Upon further reflection, one of the things that has stayed with me is how effectively AI is being positioned as a facilitation tool across the learning spectrum. Rather than replacing human thinking, the strongest applications of AI were focused on helping people shape ideas and refine thinking making concepts more focused and actionable. Used well, AI can help people think more clearly, explore ideas more deeply and turn learning into something practical.
Reinforcing learning
Beyond AI, I was also interested in how organisations are reinforcing learning after formal training takes place. I explored a range of solutions focused on embedding knowledge over time through gamification, microlearning and collaborative tools, and ongoing engagement strategies. This really reinforced that the real value of learning comes from what happens after the initial lesson, when knowledge is revisited, discussed and applied over time.
Measuring impact
Another key part of the event for me was attending a seminar focused on understanding and measuring the true impact of training, which strongly connected with work I have already been doing around introducing evaluation insights for our clients. What I found particularly valuable was the focus on moving beyond standard evaluation metrics to better understand how training influences behaviour, performance and business outcomes. That feels increasingly important, because understanding whether training was delivered is one thing, but understanding whether it actually made a difference is where real value sits.
Final reflections
Overall, Learning Technologies was a great experience. It gave me fresh ideas, challenged some assumptions, and reinforced how quickly the industry is developing.
I’ve come away with plenty to work on, particularly around how we can use AI to best support learning, not simply through content creation, but through shaping ideas, supporting development and driving effective solutions. I’m already looking forward to next year and seeing how the use of tech in learning continues to evolve.
Vicky Seel, Service Manager
