Learning Technologies Barcamp 2026: From content to capability

We are delighted to announce our 11th Learning Technologies fringe event. This year we are talking about the big shift from content to capability.

AI is reshaping corporate learning to become more aligned with the business and real-world performance. Instead of focusing mainly on content, organisations can now scale the real drivers of learning – practice, feedback and reflection.

This year’s Learning Technologies Barcamp will explore how AI is changing the focus of corporate learning from delivering content to building capability. Join this discussion to explore what this shift means for learning strategy, roles and instructional design. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers ready to share their perspectives and discuss how learning leaders can rethink their approach in an AI-enabled world.

We call these events barcamps because we aim to carry on the conversations from Learning Technologies in a local bar. The format is simple - each speaker will have between 10 and 15 minutes to host a conversation based on their areas of expertise. Once the time is up, speakers will move to the next table to talk about their topic to the next group. The event will come to an end when all groups have had a conversation with each of the speakers.

The bar is around ten minutes’ walk from the conference venue, so you won't have to walk far! Learning Technologies Barcamp 2026 is open to anyone - whether you have been to the conference or not.

The aim of the event is to have an informal conversation, and drink, with some really interesting and knowledgeable speakers. And thanks to our fantastic sponsor Skillable we are able to provide you with a drink or two.

So, to the speakers. We are delighted to have four experienced learning experts (a fifth will be announced soon!). This is what they will be discussing:

Idris Fabiyi, Head of Innovation and Technology across BPP School of Technology, Estio Training and Firebrand Training

As Head of Innovation and Technology Idris focuses on the "how" of modern technical education. He is responsible for the technological ecosystem that supports both instructors and learners throughout their apprenticeship journey. Idris will share a real-world case study on using Skillable and AI to move beyond traditional recruitment, creating a high-fidelity selection process for top Cyber Security talent. Idris will look at how AI assessment evaluates complex problem-solving in real-time, scoring intent and methodology, not just the final answer. He'll also share insights from a major TechTrack Cyber Apprenticeship on how to identify top performers.

Helen Marshall, Tech Academy Lead at Booking.com and ex-CLO at Thrive

As Tech Academy Lead at Booking.com, Helen will share how an AI-first, academy-based model is shifting L&D from content delivery to strategic partner. She’ll explore the challenge of moving from courses and libraries to scalable practice, feedback and reflection, underpinned by clear governance, data and job-family specific projects. For learning leaders, this matters because AI is already reshaping how work gets done: L&D must redefine its role, metrics and partnerships with the business to stay relevant, responsibly embed GenAI into everyday workflows, and prove impact on performance rather than consumption.

Matt Smith, Head of L&D at Nesta Group (home to the Behavioural Insights Team) and founder of Matthew Smith Learning

As AI takes over execution of work, the scarce, human-led skill becomes taste and intuition: knowing what good looks like and when something is ready. Matt will host a discussion exploring what that means for L&D. When AI generates your slides in an afternoon, the job shifts: not less work, but different work. Drawing on an initiative to build a feedback culture at Nesta, we'll consider the core conditions for developing judgment - practice, feedback, honest conversation - that are now the most valuable things L&D can offer. And the hardest to scale.

Zac Brown, Learning Consultant, HSBC

Zac will discuss how AI enables us to develop true learning experiences delivered as capability builders in the flow of work and move out of our eLearning factories. He will also explore how AI opens up opportunities for data to give real insights into people’s capability and gaps for development, as well as being able to show our contribution as a learning function in a simpler, more valuable way to stakeholders.

Register for your free spot today and we look forward to seeing you on 29 April.

👏 Thanks to our sponsor Skillable for supporting this event. To find out more about the performance-based hands-on training platform Skillable visit their or speak to them directly at Learning Technologies at booth M40. 👏

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