Learning Live 2024: Tackling L&D’s existential crisis

Learning and development is facing an existential crisis, according to Ed Monk, CEO at the Learning and Performance Institute. With the institute’s Learning Live conference taking place in London next week, I caught up with Monk to see what’s in store for delegates.

I’m not sure anyone in L&D would disagree that the industry is facing an existential crisis. Rapid technological change – including the rapid rise of generative AI – is enabling employees to find the answers to work-related questions immediately. That requires a new focus for learning professionals, says Monk.

“The learning industry is in an existential crisis; are we needed if learners can get answers to questions immediately? What we need to do is embrace both learning and performance support as opportunities to drive impact. However, although content is no longer king, neither is convenience. It is about providing multiple, meaningful mechanisms for employee and organisational improvement, in line with a) the culture of a company, b) it’s plan for success, and c) how employees want to develop.”

So how will the conference help learning leaders cope with this crisis? By tackling the challenges that they currently face – and that are challenging L&D to its core. The agenda is curated based on “what the delegates are telling us are their challenges, so we know it hits the mark”, says Monk. Ahead of the event, the institute published those challenges. They are: AI integration, ROI and measurement impact, engagement, leadership development and diversity and inclusion.

AI Futurist and former head of go-to-market at OpenAI, Zack Kass, is this year’s keynote speaker. He will be sharing strategies on how businesses can navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape and harness the power of AI. Other sessions on AI will explore performance, the AI skills needed to thrive, the role of Microsoft Copilot in learning and how AI is impacting on leadership development.

Each of the five challenges that shape the conference agenda will be tackled in a range of sessions that include case study led discussions from learning leaders, practical strategies and interactive, expert-led talks.

This year the LPI has also created a Learning Live experience exclusively for members. This includes a 30-minute interactive workshop with Kass as well as curated insights from each conference session and a members-only networking lounge. Monk says these new additions reflect the role members play in shaping the event.  “We are committed to rewarding our members with an exceptional experience that goes above and beyond the typical conference, as their support is the foundation that allows us to bring these events to life.”

Out of the five challenges being discussed next week, one stands out for Monk and that is engagement. It’s a tricksy topic because the tools that drive engagement – content and connectivity – have become obstacles.

“Maintaining high levels of learner engagement in an increasingly digital and hybrid environment is a persistent challenge. The paradox that there is more content than ever, more connectivity than ever, and quicker, easier ways to define content yet less engagement is an alarm bell for learning professionals.”