Gavin Oattes to Put the Human Advantage Centre Stage at LEARNING LIVE 2026
As AI transforms Learning and Development, Gavin Oattes challenges L&D professionals to focus not only on what technology can do, but what humans need. He argues that judgement, curiosity, connection and other distinctly human skills will become more valuable, not less, as AI becomes increasingly capable.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape Learning and Development, keynote speaker and author Gavin Oattes will challenge L&D professionals to consider a different question at this year’s LEARNING LIVE: not simply what can AI do, but what do humans need?
Gavin Oattes, Managing Director of Tree of Knowledge, will bring his trademark mix of humour, storytelling and psychology to LEARNING LIVE 2026 as he explores why the rapid growth of AI makes human skills more important, not less.
At a time when AI can create content, personalise learning, analyse information, generate ideas and automate tasks at unprecedented speed, Gavin believes the opportunity for L&D is significant. But he will also challenge the profession to think carefully about how that technology is used.
“AI is extraordinary, and the possibilities for Learning and Development are enormous,” says Gavin. “But amongst all the excitement, I think we’re becoming slightly obsessed with the question, ‘What can AI do?’ I’d like us to spend a little more time asking, ‘What do humans need?’”
Central to Gavin’s session will be the idea of Human First – an approach that does not reject technology, but instead asks organisations to remember who that technology is ultimately there to serve.
“Human First doesn’t mean technology last,” Gavin explains. “It means remembering what all this technology is actually for: people. Actual, complicated, emotional, brilliant, frustrating and unpredictable human beings.”
Gavin will argue that as machines become increasingly capable of completing tasks traditionally carried out by people, distinctly human capabilities such as judgement, curiosity, empathy, communication and connection could become an even greater source of organisational advantage.
For L&D professionals, he believes that also raises an important question about the temptation to use AI simply to produce more.
“The fact that we can create more learning doesn’t necessarily mean people need more learning,” says Gavin. “Sometimes they need space to think. Sometimes they need to practise, talk, be challenged or get something wrong. We need to be careful not to use one of the most transformative technologies of our lifetime simply to make the old model faster.”
His session will explore the difference between information and genuine learning, and why some of the experiences that have the greatest impact on people are rooted in emotion, experience, curiosity, challenge, reflection and connection.
“Think about the learning experiences that genuinely changed you,” Gavin says. “We remember people. A teacher who believed in us. A manager who challenged us. A colleague who asked exactly the right question. A conversation that changed our perspective. Very few people look back on the transformative moments of their lives and think, ‘It was slide 47. Changed everything.’”
Rather than positioning AI and human capability in opposition, Gavin will encourage L&D leaders to think about how the two can work together.
As information becomes easier to access, judgement matters more. As content can be generated in seconds, genuine connection becomes more valuable. And as machines become increasingly capable of providing answers, the ability to ask better questions becomes increasingly important.
“The organisations that thrive in the years ahead won’t necessarily be the ones with the most AI, the fanciest platform or the cleverest prompt library,” Gavin says. “They’ll be the organisations that work out how to combine extraordinary technology with extraordinary humanity.”
LEARNING LIVE takes place on 16–17 September 2026. If you’re joining us, come and continue the conversation with Gavin and the Tree of Knowledge team on Stand 26. You can also see Gavin in action on Wednesday 16 September at 2.15pm in the Enterprise Suite.
Tree of Knowledge (TOK) is an award-winning people development company that helps organisations create happier, healthier and higher-performing workplaces. Combining positive psychology, behavioural science, leadership development and human connection with humour, storytelling and practical application, TOK delivers keynote speaking, leadership programmes, team development workshops and culture transformation initiatives across the UK and internationally.