Digital education with an international perspective
English language conference programme at LEARNTEC 2026 promises global inspiration for future-proof learning and development
LEARNTEC, Europe's leading event for digital education in schools, universities and the corporate world, is further expanding its international offering in the conference and event programme. From May 5 to 7, 2026, participants at Messe Karlsruhe can look forward to five English language thematic strands in the congress, featuring experts from North America, the UK and Canada. The focus will be on strategies, technologies and skills for vocational training in an increasingly digital world. For the first time this year, the German language trade fair programme will also be translated in real-time across five stages. Early bird tickets for the LEARNTEC Congress are available until April 1.
Whether it's the effective integration of generative AI, sustainable transfer of learning content or development of learning-friendly corporate cultures, the English language sessions address key topics in the international discourse and provide practical solutions for learning and development (L&D) in the professional environment.
"This year’s English Track goes far beyond the AI hype. Instead of chasing shiny tools, we focus on the skills today’s workforce needs to thrive—human and meta skills that drive performance and measurable business impact—highlighted in sessions like Wil Procter’s and Dr. Jessica Holt’s ‘Making Meta Skills Tangible and Actionable for Your Learners and Your Business’. From Tom McDowell’s ‘You Already Have a Learning Culture, Now What?’ to Kirstie Greany’s ‘The Shift That Changes Everything: How L&D Teams Evolve Their Capabilities’, the program builds from strengthening learning culture and workforce capability to challenging L&D teams to evolve their own skills first—because the future of learning isn’t about the newest tech, it’s about what we’re truly capable of." explains Bianca Baumann, education expert and congress committee member from Canada, who is co-curating the English language content.
New: Additional translation tool for German language presentations
Alongside the English conference programme slots, real-time translation of the German language programme will be offered for the first time in 2026 across five stages in the exhibition halls. Attendees will be able to access translations into English, French and Polish via their smartphones, both audibly and via written transcriptions.
Two English language keynotes will provide inspiration: British education expert Laura Overton will explore what kind of leadership is needed in times of general uncertainty (Tuesday, May 5, 4.30pm), while Andrew Smith PhD, Learning Technology Manager at Accenture, will discuss how AI agents can meaningfully support teaching and learning in his presentation “Beyond Automation – the Age of Agentic Learning” (Wednesday, May 6, 9.30am).
Artificial intelligence as a common thread
This year, it is once again clear that AI, and generative AI in particular, is the linchpin of digital education. Various sessions will explore generative AI both as a tool and a challenge, but also in the context of "AI readiness". The following topics are on the agenda:
Tuesday, May 5
From 10am: Future of Work
Showcasing the essential skills for tomorrow's world of work and how they can be best developed. In their presentation "Making Meta Skills Tangible and Actionable for Your Learners and Your Business", Wil Procter and Dr. Jessica Holt will reveal how interdisciplinary meta skills can be measurably and effectively anchored in a corporate context.
From 2.45pm: Gen AI
Focusing on the skills needed to use AI effectively in business and how such "AI readiness" can be achieved. In "From Static to Dynamic: Skills for the Future of Work", Dr. Anke Sanders and Niveditha Iyer will explain how skill strategies can be realigned in the age of AI.
Wednesday, May 6:
From 10.30am: Digital Learning Experiences
Presentations such as "Inclusion in Action: Designing with Everyone in Mind" by Susi Miller and Rebecca McDowell will demonstrate how inclusion can take centre stage in the development of digital learning.
From 2.45pm: Learning Culture
Focusing on the strategic design and further development of learning culture in organisations. In "You Already Have a Learning Culture, Now What?", Tom McDowell will explain how existing learning cultures can be analysed and developed in a targeted manner.
Thursday, May 7:
From 10.30am: Customer Education
Addressing customer education as a strategic lever for sustainable business success. In "JTBD Playbook: Scaling Competency-Based Education", Bradford Goerss will reveal how competency-based approaches can be systematically scaled.
From 2.45pm: Change Leadership, L&D Transformation
Exploring the strategic development of L&D functions in the course of digital transformation. In "The Shift That Changes Everything", Kirstie Greany will explain how L&D teams can specifically expand their role, competencies and influence within their company in order to make digital learning a key component of success.
International exchange at all levels
With exhibitors from 19 nations and visitors from more than 40 countries, LEARNTEC had a strong international flavour in 2025, and looks set for further success with the expanded English language congress programme for 2026 - promising a platform for international networking and future-oriented knowledge transfer.
