Research digested: iVentiv Pulse 2026: Top Priorities for Global Heads of Learning & Talent
About this research
The iVentiv Pulse 2026: Top Priorities for Global Heads of Learning & Talent is based on a survey of 468 heads of learning and development, talent management, and executive development across Europe, United States, United Kingdom, and Middle East. The research was carried out across 2025.
Key findings
Leadership and executive development remains the top priority
- 61% of respondents cite Leadership and Executive Development as a top priority, up one percentage point year-on-year
Leadership is seen as the primary lever for navigating disruption, not just at executive level but across the organisation, particularly among middle managers facing faster change.
Artificial intelligence has surged into second place
60% now prioritise AI, a 19% increase versus last year – the largest rise of any topic
L&D is moving from experimentation to deployment across skills, leadership, performance support and workforce planning.
Reskilling and upskilling is now mainstream, not emergent
- 55% identify reskilling and upskilling as a top priority, which is consistent with last year and 70% of those prioritising reskilling also prioritise AI
Skills-based approaches are becoming embedded, with a focus on using AI to map skills across the organisation.
Learning culture is a priority
48% say learning culture as a top priority, up eight points year-on-year. In Europe, this rises to 58%
Leaders increasingly define learning culture as learning embedded in daily work rather than formal training, and driven by AI.
Change management is climbing the agenda fast
40% now prioritise change management, a six-point increase on last year
Learning and talent teams are being pulled into continual organisational change – from AI adoption to LMS transitions and shifts toward skills-based operating models.
Data use is expanding, but ROI confidence remains weak
34% prioritise people data, measurement and ROI overall, rising to 46% among talent management leaders
While L&D teams are using more data – particularly skills data – many still struggle to clearly evidence business impact.
The future of work is no longer theoretical
34% cite the future of work as a top priority, up ten percentage points year-on-year—one of the biggest increases outside AI
77% of those prioritising Future of Work also prioritise AI
Learning and talent leaders increasingly see themselves shaping organisational design, employability, and AI-driven ways of working, not just delivering learning programmes.
Performance management is shifting to “always-on” support
31% now prioritise performance management and performance support, up from 7% in 2023
There is increasing interest in continuous feedback and AI-enabled performance support tied more directly to business outcomes.
What to act on
This report highlights the shift in learning from programmes to being a part of work. And this is how learning leaders see the manifestation of a learning culture – through learning being. Apart of work rather than being provided separately through programmes etc.
The learning industry has talked about being able to do this for years and this report suggests this is becoming a reality. AI tools are – and have been – a big help here.
Change and leadership are also priorities and very much interlinked. It’s worth noting that leadership development as discussed in this report means helping lead at all levels, not just the development of senior leaders. And change will require L&D to sharpen its organisation design skills.
Read the report https://iventiv.com/insights/download-the-iventiv-pulse-top-priorities-for-global-heads-of-learning-and-talent
