Don’t fear AI, but train yourself to use it

The ATD Middle East 2025 conference concluded with a decisive message: Don’t fear AI, but train yourself to use it.Global Talent Leaders Shape the Future of Learning at Abu Dhabi Conference AI, design thinking, and skills-first models dominate the region’s leading learning and development events.

Abu Dhabi(News Desk)::The ninth annual ATD Middle East Conference concluded yesterday at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Emirates Pearl Hotel & Residences. The conference, which attracted more than 400 senior HR and Learning & Development experts from around the world, included two days of specialized discussions, interactive learning, and strategic collaboration in preparation for the requirements of the future.

Organized by the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in partnership with QnA International, and supported by the conference’s cultural partner and official destination, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, this year’s edition was themed “Experience First: A New Era in Talent Development,” focusing on human-centered learning, the integration of artificial intelligence, and bold talent strategies for a hybrid workforce.

The guest of honor was Hamad Mohammed Al Suwaidan, Acting Executive Director of Support Services at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, who welcomed the attendees, a select group of industry leaders, and emphasized the importance of the conference in supporting innovation and capacity building across the region.

The conference featured valuable insights from some of the world’s leading thinkers in talent development.

Dr. Wei Wang, Senior Global Director at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in the United States, presented qualitative research on future trends in the industry, including artificial intelligence, personalized learning, and the evolving role of learning and development professionals. During her presentation, she reviewed the association’s latest research findings, which highlighted the accelerating impact of AI in transforming the talent development landscape.

Dr. Wang revealed that AI has contributed to increasing productivity by 59%, improving training efficiency by 51%, and enhancing creativity and innovation by 47%, in addition to expanding access to learning and applying skills in the workplace. Its most prominent uses include machine translation and content creation (50%), along with measuring the impact of learning (21%).

In turn, Dan Pontefract, a five-time award-winning Canadian author on leadership and strategy, urged participants to treat AI as a partner, not a competitor, saying in his keynote address: “AI will only replace you if you treat it as an enemy.”In the same vein, John Atwood, Google’s Senior Director of Learning and Development (S&D) in the United States, discussed how the company empowers its technical leaders to lead teams that combine humans and AI, through ethical decision-making, responsible implementation, and scalable skills development strategies.

Regional voices were strongly present, with influential case studies presented by prominent entities such as the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and STC from Saudi Arabia.

Ahmad Hamad Al-Hammad, Acting Head of Human Resources and Transformation at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), highlighted his institution’s experience as an effective model in supporting national talent, reviewing key projects and initiatives that enhance investment in human capital.

David Rebo, Abu Dhabi’s leading CEO coach, emphasized that the leadership succession process is not just about readiness, but rather reflects a sense of responsibility to shape organizational cultures and leadership transitions that not only maintain momentum but also enhance it.

Hilal Al Jaadi, Chief Human Resources and Change Officer at Omran Group – Sultanate of Oman, highlighted how leadership programs aligned with the national tourism strategy have made a tangible impact and enhanced consistency between vision and daily action.

Peter Gitter, Senior Consultant at TAAEEN – UAE, presented the “Design Thinking” methodology as a powerful tool for developing multigenerational educational programs that put the learner at the heart of the experience.

Hanan Naji, founder and CEO of HNI UAE, made a bold statement challenging one of the traditional pillars of self-development: that self-belief must come first. She emphasized that true growth begins with honest decisions, courageous ambition, modest planning, and a collective commitment to progress, even in times of doubt.

Sue Lam, Vice President of People Insights, Strategy, and Culture at Coca-Cola USA, discussed how artificial intelligence is reshaping performance-based learning paths. She shared practical tips and real-world examples of smart applications used within the Coca-Cola ecosystem.

For her part, Sarah Daly, Director of Educational Technology at the LEORON Institute, led an advanced session on Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs), focusing on their role in building data-driven learning and development strategies, and how these platforms outperform traditional learning management systems (LMS) in terms of impact and flexibility at scale.

With the support of this year’s Gold Sponsors: HNI, Boost, and TAAEEN, along with more than 30 sponsors and participants, and a rich program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and practical workshops, ATD Middle East 2025 Conference has succeeded in establishing itself as the most important platform for human resources learning and development in the region.

Commenting on the success of the conference, Dr. Wei Wang, Senior Global Director, Talent Development Association – USA, said:
“As ATD celebrates eight decades of global influence, the Middle East today emerges as a key player in the future of learning and development. This year’s conference reflected a collective spirit of bold exploration, deep learning, and a determination to build a workforce that not only keeps pace with the future, but shapes it.”

Sidh NC, Director of QnA International, added:
“ATD Middle East 2025 was not just a platform for exchanging ideas, but a platform for actual implementation. Over the course of two days, we witnessed a unified commitment to building modern learning ecosystems grounded in technology, empathy, and purpose. From AI-powered insights to locally inspired educational models, the region’s learning leaders are entering a transformative new era—and we are proud to play an active role in bringing this vision to life.”