Google Ad #1 - desktop - 728x90

Google Ad #3 - desktop - 728x90

Google Ad #1 - mobile - 300x200

Google Ad #3 - mobile - 300x200

ATD_Half_Page

Googel Ad #1 - Side Bar - Content pages

ATD Footer Logo

A focused workshop  can offer a powerful next step in your professional journey.

Advance Your Career With AI-Powered Certificate Workshops

AI provides the automation and scale that makes knowledge management sustainable. “AI Knowledge” is the answer to the Silver Tsunami.

Knowledge Exodus from Boomer Retirement: AI Can Save the Day for the Government Sector

AI is once again an area of focus at ATD26. There’s no denying that AI has dominated interest in the talent development field for the last three years. Our field is not alone in this, as nearly every industry is exploring how AI can streamline processes, create efficiencies, and do more with less.No matter your expertise level—whether you’re an early adopter or still AI-hesitant—ATD26 has something for you to continue to build your AI expertise. Build AI Sessions into Your ScheduleThis year, we’re proud to offer 35+ education sessions focused on AI. Those sessions are scattered across our various content tracks, but upon reviewing all the titles and descriptions, three strong themes emerge in what they cover.AI for Learning Design and Training Innovation: These sessions focus on how you can utilize AI in your training design and how AI can support performance at the moment of need.AI Strategy, Capability, and Organizational Readiness: These sessions look at AI through the strategic, organizational lens. They cover topics such as AI implementation and will help guide your organization through AI adoption.AI for Leadership and Workforce Development: These sessions focus on leadership skills, coaching, onboarding, career personalization, and team design.For a full list of AI-related sessions, visit: https://atdconference.td.org/program/Explore AI Solutions in the Expo HallIn addition to sessions, there are other opportunities to explore AI at ATD26. Last year, we had more than 60+ companies offering AI solutions. I expect 2026 to be no different. Executing on your AI strategy will likely entail working with a supplier partner—whether you’re looking to speed content creation, scale a coaching or leadership program, or automate and streamline tasks—ATD26 will have the top suppliers in the talent development space. Even if you’re not interested in purchasing a new solution, it’s important to explore the expo floor to see the latest trends and features.Practice Application and Earn an AI CertificateFinally, if you’re looking for a true deep dive into using AI and prompting for L&D, check out our three-day, “Applying AI in L&D” certificate program. Designed and facilitated by author and AI expert Josh Cavalier, this immersive program will both deepen your understanding of AI usage and trends and provide hands-on experience using AI tools, preparing you to apply your new skills.

AI at ATD26

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized how organizations identify and assess talent. H

3 Steps to Balance AI Efficiency and Human Insight: The New Science of Selection

It can be tricky to find the right balance between sharing and oversharing at work. Many people hesitate to set a boundary with a coworker regarding how much they share, as doing so may hurt their feelings. But the promise of having “crucial conversations” is that you can deliver tough news in a respectful way.Here are a few skills that can help:Start With HeartWhen beginning a crucial conversation, get your intention right before speaking. Clearly examine your reasons for not wanting to hear about your coworker’s personal life. Starting with the heart ensures you understand your intent. And when you understand your intent, you can communicate it more effectively. Starting with the heart also pushes you to find a respectful intention beyond desires to rid yourself of irritation.Perhaps your intent is to express that their interruptions disrupt your focus, your workload is demanding, or you simply don’t have the emotional bandwidth. Whatever the reason, consider how you can share it honestly and kindly so your coworker can better hear your request.Master Your EmotionsThe primary reason we struggle in crucial conversations is that by the time we speak, we are already irritated, angry, or disgusted with the other person’s actions. Then, no matter how much we try to fake it, our negative feelings creep into the conversation. So, before opening your mouth, open your mind. Try to separate people from the problem. Try to see your coworker as reasonable, rational, and decent—even if their actions frustrate you. It’s likely they are desperately looking for a connection and not intentionally trying to disrupt your workflow. When you hold a generous thought about the other person, you will come across them entirely differently. You will be able to calmly communicate your good intent rather than speak out of frustration and annoyance.Help Others Feel SafeUnskilled people believe that certain topics are destined to make other people defensive. Those who are skilled at crucial conversations realize people don’t become defensive until they feel unsafe. They become less defensive because of what you’re saying than because of why they think you’re saying it. But when others feel respected and trust your motives, they let their guard down and begin to listen—even if the topic is unpleasant.Communicate Your Good IntentStart the conversation by assuring your coworker of your positive intentions and your respect for them. And finish by kindly drawing the boundary. Here is another question for you to consider. Is there a happy medium? Is there a way to both hold a boundary as well as be more available to your coworker? Can you tell them that you enjoy talking with them but are not available for uninvited drive-by conversations in the middle of the day? Maybe you can spare 10 minutes every now and then when things are slow, or over a coffee break. Perhaps your colleague is seeking friendship and connection, and you could find a way to offer some, assuming it’s in a manner that respects your time and attention.I started this blog by sharing the promise of crucial conversations—that tough news can be delivered respectfully. I’ll end with a caveat. Just consider that even though tough news is delivered respectfully, it doesn’t mean it isn’t hard to hear. It’s possible there will be no way to say something without your coworker taking some offense. But if you do your part to get your heart right, master your emotions, make them feel safe, and communicate your good intent, how they react is up to them. Their response is not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to be both candid and respectful at all times.

How to Respectfully Draw Boundaries at Work

This four-part framework helps leaders craft stories that drive both action and connection.

2026: The Year of Leadership Storytelling

Occupational English (OE) is a training intervention that provides speakers of multiple languages with the opportunity to build their workplace English skills. It is not an English as a Second Language program or a general English development program, but a program designed to provide formal training for employees who are not native English speakers, thereby enhancing their value in the workplace through targeted language skills development. It focuses on aspects such as work-based processes, vocabulary, and nomenclature, as well as specific pronunciation needs. It can be particularly helpful for reading technical documents, verbal communication with coworkers, or writing emails. Many employees who require OE training may not have a formal higher education background, so they can obtain a certificate from an institution and receive free training at their workplace during regular working hours.In cases of OE interventions, there is often value in partnerships between companies, government funding, and higher education institutions to oversee and deliver training. Even large companies may not have the in-house capabilities to deploy OE initiatives, and partnering with government and higher education institutions can be a great fit that benefits all members.Governmental actors continue to provide underwriting of training interventions. Having thriving companies and strong industries provides both a knowledge advantage and an economic base through organizational and individual tax collection. Departments of labor coordinate training programs and apprenticeships in select industries, such as IT, medical device manufacturing, and nursing. Targeted grant funds are also allocated to higher education institutions that can provide grant oversight and specialized subject-matter expertise to design interventions to upgrade technical skills, mandatory training, or soft skills. Many higher education institutions have specialized training departments focused on business and industry, while others offer graduate students opportunities to gain experience in organizational settings and to learn by doing. Some examples of partnerships to develop OE initiatives include:A supplier of utility frames and designer of small cab components for many different brands, with a workforce consisting mostly of native Spanish speakers, was looking for ways to develop written and spoken language skills to support cross-functional component delivery. They partnered with a community college that had received a multi-year grant to support manufacturing workers who would benefit from job skill training. Expertise for the assessment and training delivery was outsourced to the college’s faculty. MN State and the University of Minnesota joined together to assist a medical device manufacturing company in assessing an OE training program. PhD students in the College of Education & Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota conducted a needs analysis and developed an assessment to be delivered to non-native English speakers. A medical device manufacturer with many product lines and manufacturing sites employs speakers of multiple languages who, despite their technical skills, often lack opportunities for leadership or mobility within their departments. A program was implemented to give select employees specific leadership and communication skills. The program was funded by a state grant and delivered by college faculty along with an external consultant. Following completion of the program, employees became eligible for promotion to line lead.Strategic partnerships among government, higher education institutions, and individual organizations can significantly affect workforce development. By addressing specific training needs and utilizing diverse resources, employees’ skills are enhanced, benefiting both individuals and the organization. Additionally, connections between higher education and industry can provide students with a community of practice that goes beyond theory. 

Occupational English Training

The way content is delivered can make a big difference in how quickly new hires grasp it.

How to Turn Complex SOPs Into Engaging, Onboarding-Ready Content

The hospitality expert and bestselling author will speak at the world’s largest gathering of talent development professionals.

Will Guidara Will Deliver Keynote at ATD 2026

Finishing the year and closing strong is about doing what matters, both intentionally and with presence. 

Blog

Refine By