Session Focus: A reflective discussion on the most impactful topics of 2025 and a strategic look ahead at the critical priorities shaping HR and talent development in 2026
2025 wasn’t just “the year AI accelerated.” It was the year talent development teams finally confronted the structural gaps holding organizations back: unclear roles, inconsistent manager readiness, and AI experimentation that outpaced governance and skills. This December 12 discussion brings those threads together—not as a recap, but as a springboard for the decisions we need to make before 2026 arrives.
Across ELE’s Reskilling Talent Development series, AI Practical Labs, the ELE Talent Development Conference 2025 @ Zurich North America, and the Milwaukee Talent Development Conference 2025 @ ManpowerGroup, four themes surfaced repeatedly:
1. Work evolved faster than roles—again.
Teams saw tasks shifting weekly, but role clarity and expectations lagged months behind. Many leaders admitted they were “reskilling into a moving target.”
2. Reskilling efforts still sit too far from real work.
Programs expanded, yet employees continued to ask: “What does this help me do tomorrow?” Managers wanted simpler tools, not more content—strengths mapping, task redesign, and clearer pathways.
3. AI adoption exposed cultural and operational gaps.
From unapproved tools to governance bottlenecks, AI labs revealed the same tension: people want to move fast, but systems (and trust) aren't keeping pace. Governance isn't the blocker—misalignment is.
4. L&D’s identity is shifting—quickly.
Leaders are no longer talking about “building courses.” They’re talking about orchestrating ecosystems, shaping AI guardrails, and enabling managers to redesign work itself.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Teams don’t need more AI inspiration—they need clarity. 2026 will demand sharper talent priorities:
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What work is actually worth doing?
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Which skills unlock performance?
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Where should AI accelerate—not replace—human capability?
This is the moment to align.
What We’ll Tackle on December 12
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The 3–4 hard talent priorities your peers flagged across all 2025 ELE convenings
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How to simplify reskilling by anchoring it in actual tasks—not abstract learning journeys
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What “responsible AI adoption” really looks like when you strip away the hype
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Where L&D must shift from deliverables to enablement to stay relevant in 2026
Who Should Attend
Senior talent development leaders who want a clear, peer-validated picture of where AI is taking work—and what must change inside their organizations to keep pace.
This session will offer HR Talent leaders actionable insights from industry leaders on transforming rigid structures into adaptive networks that empower employees across all levels.
ELE produces this Learning Circle: Reskilling Talent Development. ELE's Idea Exchange: Collaborate online with your peers.