We need to turn ‘on’ our people before we turn ‘on’ our computers

I left the World of Learning Summit feeling inspired - not by the tech (although there was plenty of impressive innovation on show), but by the people.

One of the standout moments for me was the empowering fireside chat with Steph McGovern. Her message was simple, but powerful: be authentic, take risks, and never underestimate the power of being a good person. In a world so driven by outcomes, metrics, and optimisation, those qualities can easily be overlooked. Yet time and time again, the most successful people are those who truly know how to engage others.

As I walked around the exhibition hall, everywhere I looked, there was AI. AI learning platforms, AI tools, AI-powered solutions promising smarter, faster, more personalised development. And I have no doubt these organisations are doing incredible things. The future of learning will absolutely involve technology in ways we’re only just beginning to understand.

But here’s what struck me most: It wasn’t the tech that moved me. It was the conversations.

It was the friendly face at the side of the room introducing themselves and sharing what they do. It was the spontaneous discussions between strangers who found common ground. It was the nervous energy before speaking up, the growth that followed when someone did it anyway.

In a sea of AI, it was human connection that made the biggest impact.

We seem to be getting more comfortable hiding behind screens, curating responses, polishing messages, keeping ourselves just slightly removed. But when we do that, we also distance ourselves from the very thing that makes learning powerful: being human, in real time, with other humans.

Yes, it can feel uncomfortable. Nerves before speaking. The vulnerability of sharing an idea that might not land perfectly. The uncertainty of not knowing exactly how we’ll be received.

But that discomfort? That’s where growth lives.

As Stephanie Davies from Laughology said ‘we need to turn on our people before we turn on our computers’ That couldn’t feel more relevant. Before the platforms, before the content, before the automation, we need connection, psychological safety, and real engagement.

we need to turn ‘on’ our people
before we turn ‘on’ our computers

Steph McGovern put it so well: soft skills are the essential skills: Communication, empathy, presence, curiosity, courage. These are the skills that technology can support, but never replace.

As I looked around the room at all the innovation, one thought kept coming back to me: the one thing that can’t be outgrown by AI is our humanity. Our ability to feel, to connect, to read the room, to respond with care, to laugh, to hold space, to be fully present in our bodies, not just in our heads.

So maybe the question isn’t just how we use AI in learning. Maybe it’s also: how do we help people feel more comfortable being human again? More comfortable with discomfort. More at ease with the full spectrum of emotion. More willing to step out from behind the screen and into the room.

Because the future of learning isn’t just artificial intelligence. It’s human intelligence, human connection, and the courage to show up as we are. And that’s something no algorithm can replicate.