Morning Plenary – Presidents Suite 09:00 — 12:30
Learnovation Host
Siobhan Hanrahan is an enterprise AI and workforce transformation leader with over 20 years’ experience at global organisations including eBay and Apple. As Chair of Learnovate’s Thought Leaders Circle 2026, she works with organisations to navigate AI adoption, governance, and workforce transformation.
As Host and MC for the Learnovation 2026 morning plenary, Siobhan will guide the morning’s conversations, helping to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of work and learning. With a deep understanding of both technology and organisational change, she brings a practical and thought-provoking perspective to this year’s theme, Human Skills That Power the AI World.
Siobhan Hanrahan, Chair, Thought Leaders Circle | Enterprise AI & Workforce Transformation Leader
Welcome Address
Dave Farrelly leads Learnovate’s membership and industry engagement activities, helping organisations connect with research, innovation, and collaboration opportunities. With more than 20 years’ experience across education, learning technology, and digital transformation, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of learning.
In his welcome address, Dave will set the scene for Learnovation 2026, reflecting on this year’s theme, Human Skills That Power the AI World, and highlighting the importance of collaboration between industry, education, research, and innovation as we navigate a rapidly changing world.
Dave Farrelly, Head of Membership Services, Learnovate
Principal Keynote | What Matters Next: The Tech Humanist Skills That Power the AI World
As AI reshapes how we learn, work, and make decisions, the capabilities that distinguish human contribution become more—not less—valuable. Tech Humanist Kate O’Neill explores why our human skills are no longer “soft skills,” but essential infrastructure for an AI-powered future. Drawing on vivid stories and practical frameworks, she shows how educators, learning leaders, and organisations can move beyond simply adopting tools to designing work and learning around higher-value human outcomes.
Attendees will leave with a clear, optimistic challenge: do not merely ask what AI can do; decide what people should remain responsible for—and what kind of future our choices should create.
Kate O’Neill is founder and CEO of KO Insights, helping organisations navigate technological change while keeping human needs and values at the heart of innovation.
Kate O’Neill, Founder & CEO, Chief Tech Humanist, KO Insights
Fireside Chat: Kate O’Neill and Nessa McEniff
Following her keynote, Kate O’Neill will join Learnovate Managing Director Nessa McEniff for a fireside chat exploring the ideas, opportunities, and challenges shaping an increasingly AI-powered world.
Together, they will delve deeper into the role of human-centred innovation, leadership, and the skills needed to thrive as technology continues to transform how we learn, work, and create value.
As Managing Director of Learnovate, Nessa brings a unique perspective from the intersection of research, industry, and innovation. Her work focuses on helping organisations harness the potential of AI, data, and learning technologies to drive meaningful impact, making her the ideal conversation partner to explore the human skills that will matter most in the years ahead.
Nessa McEniff, Managing Director, Learnovate
Coffee Networking Break | The Atrium
15 years of Learnovate Research
Eric Paquin, Head of Research, Innovation and Technology at Learnovate, will take attendees on a fast-paced journey through 15 years of research, innovation, and impact. Drawing on insights from Learnovate’s work with industry, education, and research partners, Eric will reflect on the key trends, breakthroughs, and lessons that have shaped the future of learning and work.
Looking ahead, he will explore the opportunities and challenges emerging in an AI-powered world, highlighting the role of research, innovation, and human-centred design in helping organisations adapt, innovate, and thrive.
Eric Paquin, Head of Research, Innovation & Technology, Learnovate
Keynote | Building Human Skills for an AI Era: Inside the Trinity AI XR Hub
Professors Na Fu and Laura Berry from Trinity College Dublin will present insights on the novel Human–Tech Skill Complementarity framework, highlighting how human capabilities and AI can co-evolve. They will showcase how the Trinity AI XR Hub uses immersive AI and XR to enhance students’ confidence, interview performance, leadership, and communication skills through real-world simulations and AI-driven feedback. A practical look at how career services can leverage advanced technologies to prepare graduates to thrive alongside AI.
Professor Na Fu, Responsible Leadership & Dr. Laura Berry, Assistant Professor, Trinity Business School
Keynote | Reconnecting in a Disconnected World: The Science of Human Connection
In a world defined by digital noise, isolation, and overwhelm, meaningful human connection has never been more elusive… or more essential. This talk explores why we feel so disconnected, starting with our relationship to ourselves and how that shapes our relationships with others.
Drawing on neuroscience and real-world insights, you’ll discover why connection is fundamental to wellbeing, performance, and fulfilment. You’ll leave with practical tools and tangible strategies to build deeper relationships with both yourself and those around you.
Dr. Brian Pennie is a neuroscientist, resilience specialist, and executive coach.
Brian Pennie, Founder & Neuroscientist, Change is Possible
Networking Lunch | The Atrium
Corporate Learning – Optimising Talent & Skills 13:30 – 16:30
Corporate Learning Host – Welcome Address
As host of the Corporate Learning – Optimising Talent & Skills stream, Greta will open the session with a welcome address, sharing her perspective on the evolving role of learning in enabling organisational growth, talent development and AI readiness.
Greta Stahl is Vice President of Organisational Learning & Development at Workday, where she leads enterprise-wide learning strategies that help employees build the skills needed to thrive as AI transforms work.
Vice President, Organisational Learning & Development, Workday
Keynote | Expanding Human Capacity in a Changing World of Work
In this keynote, Claire will explore why the future of learning depends not just on building new skills, but on expanding the human capacity for judgement, creativity and value creation in an AI-enabled world.
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.
Claire Doody, Founder, Work in Motion
Research that will transform the way we think…
In this session, members of the Learnovate research team will provide an update on the latest developments across their research projects, including:
- Core Research: Dynamic Content Creation – How we can take advantage of AI driven techniques to generate learning content that is grounded in sound pedagogical practices.– Dr Ian O’Keeffe, Learnovate
- Competitive Research: Agile DT – How to adapt VET programmes to future labour market needs by changing the way that students and teachers collaborate in agile teams. – Pablo Alvarez, Learnovate
- Member Research: Get a closer look at exclusive research commissioned by alulu and conducted by Learnovate, into arnessing new insights in learning and reward behavior to
effect positive, sustainable change in learner commitment and
engagement– Dr Peter Gillis, Learnovate and Myles Thies, alulu.
Myles Thies, CEO and Co-Founder of alulu
Coffee Networking Break | The Atrium
The 5 minute perspective
Niamh Naughton, IDA, Helen McMahon, Enterprise Ireland and Michelle Thompson, Skillnet Ireland will each share a five-minute perspective on the key talent and skills trends they are seeing across their clients, sectors and industries.
Their insights will be followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Elliott Masie, exploring the common themes, emerging challenges and opportunities shaping the future of learning and workforce development.
Elliott Masie, Founder, Masie Learning Foundation
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2026
Bringing together the key insights from the Corporate Learning track, Dr Nigel Paine will share a concise summary of the discussions and his predictions for the future of workplace learning, highlighting the trends and opportunities learning leaders should be preparing for.
Dr 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.
Dr Nigel Paine, Co-Presenter @ Learning Now TV | Dprof. in Learning And Development
Networking Reception | The Atrium
Formal Education -Transforming Education & Learning 13:30 – 16:30
Formal Education Host – Welcome Address
As host of the Formal Education – Transforming Education & Learning track, Joe Rayfus will welcome delegates and set the scene for an afternoon of discussion on the future of education, learning and the skills needed to prepare learners for a rapidly changing world.
Joe Rayfus, Director of Education, Sales and Business Development, Merlyn for Education
Keynote | Navigating the Provocation of AI
AI is reshaping education at pace, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. In this keynote, Dr Madiha Khan, will explore how education leaders can adopt AI in ways that are purposeful, ethical and evidence-informed — helping institutions make confident decisions that enhance teaching, learning and the student experience.
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. Madiha Khan, Director of Consulting Services, Educate Ventures Research
Research that will transform the way we think…
In this session, members of the Learnovate research team will provide an update on the latest developments across the Formal Education research projects, including:
- Core Research: Voice AI – How the landscape within emerging evidence of voice-enabled AI supports teacher pedagogy and enhance pupil outcomes in Irish Primary and Special Schools. – Dr Bilal Ahmad, Learnovate
- Competitive Research: ACT AI – How to improve education by helping teachers effectively use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their teaching.– Ilse White, Learnovate
- Member Research: Get a closer look at research commissioned by the NCCA and delivered by Learnovate on the application of AI in curriculum development for primary schools focusing on preparation and planning. – Helena Ledermann, Learnovate and Dr Liam Clohessy, NCCA.
Dr Liam Clohessy, Education Officer, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
Coffee Networking Break
The 5 minute perspective
Maurice Boland, Department of Education & Youth, Grace Edge, Irish Universities Association (IUA) and Ross Woods, Higher Education Authority (HEA) will each share a five-minute perspective on the key trends and priorities shaping the future of formal education.
Their insights will be followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Rosa Whitfield, exploring the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
Rosa Whitfield, Director of Education and Development, The Insurance Institute
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2026
Reflecting on the afternoon’s discussions, Dr Ann Devitt will share a concise summary of the discussions and her predictions for the future of education and learning, highlighting the trends and opportunities education leaders should be preparing for.
Dr Ann Devitt is Head of School, School of 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.
Dr Ann Devitt, Head of School, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin
Networking Reception | The Atrium
Start Up Studio – Connecting Research & Innovation 13:30 – 16:30
Start Up Studio host – Welcome address
Tom Pollock will host the Start-Up Studio – Connecting Research & Innovation track, highlighting the importance of connecting research, innovation and enterprise to drive impact.
Tom Pollock brings extensive experience in business, product development, and corporate learning. At Learnovate, 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.
Tom Pollock, Impact, Licensing & Commercialisation Manager, Learnovate
Keynote | From Spin-In to Exit
In this keynote, Dr Martyn Farrows will share insights from the experience of SoapBox Labs – a 10 year journey from incubation and seed funding through to fund-raising, commercialisation and eventual exit. Martyn will provide examples of the opportunities, obstacles, random events and coincidences that SoapBox faced as a true EdTech innovator in a highly competitive global market.
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.
Dr Martyn Farrows, Technology Leader
World Café: AI, Trust & Accountability
How do we decide when AI creates value—and when trust and accountability matter most? Join Joe Fernandez, Alpaca, and Siobhan Ryan, Diotima, for an interactive World Café exploring To AI or Not to AI and Trust and Accountability, with opportunities to share perspectives, challenge assumptions and exchange practical insights.
Coffee Networking Break
Fireside Chat: What Makes a Startup Investable in 2026?
What are investors looking for in today’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape? In this fireside chat, Tom Early, Head of Investments at Enterprise Ireland, speaks with Amy Neale, General Partner at Delta Partners, to explore the qualities, strategies and market dynamics that make start-ups investment-ready in 2026.
Amy Neale, General Partner, Delta Partners VC & Tom Early, Head of New Investments, Enterprise Ireland
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2026
Bringing together the key insights from the Start-Up Studio track, Nicola Kelly will share her predictions for the future of research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Reflecting on the afternoon discussions, she will highlight the trends, opportunities and priorities that innovators, founders and start-ups should be preparing for as they navigate an evolving global landscape.
Nicola Kelly is a Senior Client Adviser with Enterprise Ireland, supporting businesses to drive innovation, build capability, and achieve international growth. She works closely with organisations to connect them with the expertise, partnerships, and opportunities needed to succeed in a changing global economy.
Nicola Kelly, Senior Client Adviser, Enterprise Ireland
Networking Reception | The Atrium
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