Future-Proofing Growth: Skills & Human Potential was front and centre at this year’s L&DI National Learning & Development Conference, and what a day it was. Over 300 L&D professionals gathered in Croke Park to explore how to shape a learning culture ready for tomorrow’s world — one defined by automation, inequality, and rapid change.
The conference opened with a powerful keynote from Daniel Susskind, economist and bestselling author, who challenged the audience to rethink growth in the age of automation. He argued for “good growth” — growth that balances technological progress with human value — urging organisations to invest in skills that machines can’t easily replicate. His talk laid the foundation for a day focused not just on upskilling, but on building resilience, empathy, and purpose in a changing workplace.
Later, Tom Kelley, co-author of Creative Confidence and former IDEO innovator, delivered a stirring call to creativity. He encouraged L&D leaders to become designers of experience, using empathy and imagination to nurture learning environments that feel human, even in an AI-driven world. Kelley’s stories — from startups to big organisations — resonated deeply, reminding us that creativity isn’t a “nice-to-have” but a core advantage in times of disruption.
Research was also centre stage. Dr. Adele Whelan, labour market economist, presented on the evolving skills gap and shared data on what tomorrow’s workforce will really need. Her session highlighted the urgency of aligning L&D efforts with macro trends like automation, demographic shifts, and new work models.
A high-energy panel discussion then picked up Susskind’s themes, led by Richard Curran, and featured thought leaders from learning, business, and tech sectors. They debated how to balance efficiency with meaning, and how L&D leaders can shape culture so that continuous development isn’t just a goal — it’s a way of working.
Meanwhile, the results from L&DI’s recent Member Trends & Insights Survey were revealed in a session called “The Evolving Landscape of Learning & Development.” It was clear: L&D has changed a lot in the past two years — and practitioners are both excited and challenged by new responsibilities, from strategy to measurement to learner experience.
For buyers in the L&D space, the takeaway is clear: building a learning culture fit for the future requires solutions that combine strategic insight, human-centred design, and technology-enabled delivery. The conference served as a call to action — to invest in learning that develops peoples’ skillsets, strengthens culture, and prepares organisations for resilient, human-led growth.
