Learnovation 2026

8 October
Aviva Stadium Dublin

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HUMAN SKILLS THAT POWER THE AI WORLD

 

Learnovation is Ireland’s premier global learning summit, bringing together leaders from education, industry, research, and innovation to explore the future of work and learning.

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms how we live and work, Learnovation 2026 will focus on the human skills that matter most — creativity, critical thinking, communication, adaptability, collaboration, and leadership. This year’s event will challenge organisations, educators, and innovators to rethink how we learn, develop talent, and prepare for the future.

 

Registration Dates & Fees

Early Bird Registration – Available until 31 July 2026 | €165

Standard Registration – From 1 August 2026 | €325

Learnovate Members receive complimentary registration.

 

8 October | Aviva Stadium Dublin

Register now

Learnovation 2025 stats

641

Registrants

42

Global speakers and panellists

4.5/5

Attendee rating

90%

Attendees made connections

96%

interested in attending Learnovation 2026

18

sponsors

84

Learnovate member organisations

278

Different organisations

Learnovation 2026 Speakers

Siobhan Hanrahan

Chair, Thought Leaders Circle | Enterprise AI & Workforce Transformation Leader

Siobhan Hanrahan is an enterprise AI and workforce transformation leader with over 20 years of experience spanning global organisations including eBay and Apple. She is the 2026 Chair of the Thought Leaders Circle at Trinity Learnovate, leading executive conversations on AI deployment, governance, and measurable return on investment…

Dave Farrelly

Head of Membership Services, Learnovate

Dave manages Learnovate’s membership model, fostering strong industry-research collaboration. With 20+ years in edtech at Vivendi Universal, Riverdeep/HMH and Folens, he also advanced member engagement at Maynooth University’s Innovation Value Institute. He holds an MSc in International Business….

Nessa McEniff

Managing Director, Learnovate

Nessa is a learning technology leader with extensive experience at Touchpress, Digital Skills Academy and Independent News & Media. Formerly VP at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Riverdeep, she holds an MSc in Innovation & Technology Management from UCD….

Kate O’Neill

Chief Tech Humanist | CEO & Founder KO Insights

Kate O’Neill, known as the “Tech Humanist,” is the founder and CEO of KO Insights. With more than 25 years’ experience, including as one of Netflix’s first 100 employees, she helps organisations balance technological innovation with human-centred values, strengthening the skills that drive impact and connection…

Eric Paquin

Head of Research, Innovation & Development, Learnovate

Eric leads Learnovate’s research, innovation and technology agenda, shaping strategies for the future of work and learning. With 20+ years in technology, he drives human-centered innovation, digital transformation and inclusive design and actively contributes to Ireland’s innovation ecosystem….

Professor. Na Fu

Responsible Leadership, Trinity Business School

Professor Na Fu is a Chair of Responsible Leadership and Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Co-Director of the Trinity Centre for Digital Business and Analytics, Founder and Director of the Trinity AI XR Hub…

Dr. Laura Barry

Assistant Professor, School Office Trinity Business School

Dr Laura Berry is an Assistant Professor at Trinity Business School and Academic Director of the MSc in Digital Marketing Strategy. Her research explores how AI, XR, and emerging technologies shape consumer behaviour and value creation. She also leads the Trinity AI XR Lab, advancing responsible, human-centred innovation and future-ready learning…

Dr. Brian Pennie

Founder & Neuroscientist, Change is Possible

Dr Brian Pennie is a neuroscientist, resilience specialist, and advisor to some of Ireland’s leading CEOs. Combining his personal story with evidence-based tools and insights, he helps individuals and organisations unlock potential, build resilience, and thrive in times of change…

Greta Stahl

Vice President, Organizational Learning & Development, Workday

Greta Stahl is Vice President of Organisational Learning & Development at Workday, leading enterprise-wide learning that helps employees grow and adapt in an AI-powered workplace. She oversees leadership, talent, and culture programmes, bringing extensive expertise in learning strategy, communication, and organisational transformation.

Claire Doody

Founder, Work in Motion

Claire Doody is the founder of Work In Motion and former Director of Learning & Development at Twitter. She helps organisations including Unilever and McDonald’s build the human capability to navigate change and co-leads Udemy’s Leaders Lab for senior learning leaders.

Dr Ian O’Keefe

Research Fellow, Technology Lead, Learnovate

Dr Ian O’Keefe is a Research Fellow with Trinity College Dublin’s Knowledge and Data Engineering Group. His work focuses on technology-enhanced learning, digital content management, and adaptive interactive experiences, with over 12 years’ experience leading collaborative EU and government-funded research projects.

Pablo Alvarez

Technology Lead, Learnovate

Pablo Alvarez is a Technology Lead at the Learnovate Centre, Trinity College Dublin. With 15 years’ international experience across education, research, software development, and digital transformation, he specialises in applying emerging technologies to learning, innovation, and organisational change.

Dr Peter Gillis

Research Lead & Innovation Team Lead, Learnovate

Dr Peter Gillis is a researcher and academic specialising in the psychology of learning, innovation, and digital strategy. His work explores technology-enhanced learning, motivation, and future skills, combining research excellence with practical expertise in educational innovation and the design of learning for rapidly evolving workplaces.

Myles Thies

CEO of 186 Digital and Co-Founder of alulu

Myles Thies is CEO of 186 Digital and Co-Founder of alulu, an AI-powered platform transforming learner engagement. With extensive international experience in digital education, he combines behavioural science, AI, and product innovation to create learning experiences that drive meaningful, measurable behaviour change.

Niamh Naughton

Project Executive, Ireland’s Talent Development & Digitisation, IDA

Niamh Naughton is a Project Executive in IDA Ireland’s Talent Development and Digitisation team, supporting client transformation through future-focused skills, talent strategies, and workforce development. She brings experience across talent, innovation, and digitisation, with a strong commercial and client-focused approach.

Helen McMahon

Skills Policy and Strategic Partnership Lead, Enterprise Ireland

Helen McMahon leads skills policy and strategic partnerships at Enterprise Ireland, working across government and industry to address the talent needs of Irish businesses. She helps shape skills policy, develop strategic partnerships, and support sustainable enterprise growth through workforce capability.

Mary Lyons

Director of Enterprise, Employees and Skills, SOLAS

Mary Lyons is Director of Enterprise, Employees and Skills at SOLAS, leading national workforce skills initiatives that support upskilling, reskilling, and business growth. She works across education and enterprise to strengthen Ireland’s skills ecosystem and drive innovation in further education and training.

Michelle Thompson

Strategic Partnerships Manager, Skillnet Ireland

Michelle Thompson is Strategic Partnerships Manager at Skillnet Ireland, leading collaboration across enterprise, education, and government to strengthen workforce development. With more than 20 years’ experience across Ireland and New Zealand, she specialises in business growth, capability building, and strategic partnerships that drive workforce transformation.

Elliott Masie

Masie Learning Foundation

Elliott, founder of the MASIE Learning Foundation and Learning COLLABORATIVE, coined the term eLearning and advises global organizations on learning, AI, and workplace transformation. A dynamic speaker and Tony-nominated Broadway producer, he blends innovation, research, and storytelling worldwide….

Dr Nigel Paine

Co-Presenter @ Learning Now TV | Dprof. in Learning And Development

Nigel Paine is a globally recognised expert in workplace learning and organisational development with over 25 years’ experience. Formerly Head of Learning & Development at the BBC, he is an author, broadcaster, and advisor whose latest work explores how organisational learning can help businesses thrive as AI transforms work and the workplace.

Joe Rayfus

Director of Education, Sales and Business Development, Merlyn for Education

Joe is a former teacher and school leader with over 20 years’ experience in education. As Director of Education, Sales and Business Development at Merlyn for Education, he champions pedagogy-first AI, supporting responsible technology adoption and innovation across schools.

Dr Madiha Khan

Director of Consulting Services at Educate Ventures Research

Dr Madiha Khan is a researcher and consultant specialising in the responsible implementation of AI in education. She advises education leaders on AI strategy, governance, and learning analytics, combining academic research with international consulting experience to support evidence-based, human-centred innovation.

Dr Bilal Ahmad

Technology Lead, Learnovate

Dr Bilal Ahmad is Technology Lead for Software Solutions in EdTech at the Learnovate Centre, Trinity College Dublin. His research combines software engineering, human-computer interaction, and UX to develop innovative digital learning solutions, with expertise spanning AI, edtech, and user-centred software development.

Ilse White

Senior Learning Researcher, Learnovate

Ilse White is a learning and development professional with over 20 years’ experience designing impactful learning solutions for leadership, management, and organisational development. Her work at Learnovate focuses on AI, workplace wellbeing, future skills, and technology-enhanced learning, underpinned by expertise in learning design and psychology.

Helena Ledermann

K12 Pedagogy Researcher, Learnovate

Helena Ledermann is a K–12 Pedagogy Researcher at the Learnovate Centre, Trinity College Dublin. Drawing on international teaching experience, she develops innovative, inclusive, technology-enhanced learning approaches and applies research to classroom practice, with expertise in curriculum design, digital learning, and educational innovation.

Dr Liam Clohessy

Education Officer, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)

Dr Liam Clohessy works with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), supporting curriculum development for primary education in Ireland. His work focuses on curriculum implementation, teacher preparation, and assessment, and includes research exploring how AI can support primary teachers’ planning and classroom practice.

Maurice Boland

Head of Digital Policy for Schools, Department of Education & Youth

Maurice Boland is Head of Digital Policy for Schools at the Department of Education & Youth, leading Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools and national AI in education policy. He oversees digital infrastructure, online safety, and initiatives supporting effective technology use in teaching and learning.

Grace Edge

Interim Head of Lifelong Learning and Skills, Irish Universities Association

Grace Edge is Interim Head of Lifelong Learning and Skills at the Irish Universities Association, leading sector-wide work on lifelong learning, workforce development, and skills policy. She works with universities, government, and industry to shape initiatives that support evolving learner, workforce, and societal needs.

Dr Ross Woods

Senior Manager, National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at Higher Education Authority

Dr Ross Woods is Senior Manager at the Higher Education Authority, leading national initiatives on teaching and learning, student success, wellbeing, and Healthy Campus. He has also led major programmes advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion across Ireland’s higher education sector.

Rosa Whitfield MA

Head of Teaching and Learning, The Insurance Institute

Rosa Whitfield is a senior education leader at the Insurance Institute of Ireland with over 25 years’ experience in education and training. She specialises in professional education, combining academic excellence with the human-centred skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Dr Ann Devitt

Head of School, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin

Dr Ann Devitt is Associate Professor of Language Education at Trinity College Dublin and Academic Director of the Learnovate Centre. Her research spans AI, digital education, and language technologies, combining academic and industry expertise to advance innovation in teaching, learning, and educational technology.

Tom Pollock

Impact, Licensing & Commercialisation Manager, Learnovate

Tom Pollock brings extensive experience in business, product development, and corporate learning. At the Learnovate Centre, he focuses on translating research and innovation into commercially valuable solutions for industry partners, combining an entrepreneurial approach with expertise in technology, strategy, and product innovation.

Dr Martyn Farrows

Technology Leader

Dr Martyn Farrows is a technology leader with over 25 years’ experience in AI, edtech, innovation, and data privacy. Former CEO of SoapBox Labs, he now serves on the board of iScoil, supporting innovative pathways to learning and educational opportunity.

Amy Neale

General Partner, Delta Partners

Amy Neale is General Partner at Delta Partners, investing in early-stage companies and supporting high-impact founders. Previously, she led Mastercard’s global fintech team and founded the award-winning Start Path programme. She is a strong advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship, and a more inclusive technology ecosystem.

Learnovation 2024 was my first Learnovate event, and having attended similar conferences globally for the last 25 years, I was truly impressed. The venue, networking opportunities, and the dynamic energy in the room created an outstanding experience.

Jim Ruddy Managing Director Ed.BD

In my opinion their Learnovation Summit is a must-attend annual event that attracts excellent speakers and delegates from Ireland and further afield.

Tony Woods Tony Woods COO Seedling Education

Who attends?

An example of the range of organisations we have welcomed to Learnovation include…

Get in touch

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