DAY 2 | THURSDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
8:00 AM
Registration
Welcome address

Aditi Sharma Kalra
Editor-in-chief
9:30 AM
[Opening keynote]
The art of learning and unlearning: Breaking habits to build future-ready mindsets
Change is constant, but adapting to it is anything but easy especially when old habits, beliefs, and ways of working are deeply ingrained.
Whether it’s individuals clinging to familiar routines or organisations resisting new ways of thinking, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is now a critical skill. However, letting go of outdated approaches no matter how successful they once were requires courage, discomfort, and a culture that supports experimentation over perfection.
This session explores the psychological, cultural, and structural challenges behind unlearning and how both individuals and organisations can break free from what no longer serves them to make space for growth and innovation. We dive into:
- Understanding the neuroscience of habit formation and why unlearning is harder than it sounds.
- Fostering a mindset of curiosity and adaptability in teams to embrace change, not resist it.
- Exploring what it takes to embed unlearning into your organisational culture moving from rigid expertise to flexible learning.
- Strategies for leaders to model unlearning behaviour and create safe spaces for experimentation and failure.
Future-ready leadership & workforce agility
10:10 AM
[Case study]
Who owns development? Understanding the leader’s role in the shared ecosystem of learning
As skill development becomes a strategic business imperative, the responsibility for learning can no longer sit solely with HR or L&D teams.
Leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the conditions where continuous learning can thrive, but in a shared ownership model, how far should their role extend?
In this session, our distinguished speaker will share insights on:
- Redefining leadership accountability in learning: From passive support to active enablement and role modelling.
- How to build a culture where leaders at every level feel empowered, and responsible for growing the capabilities of their teams.
- Designing a shared ownership model that aligns employees, managers, and the organisation in a unified development agenda.
Speaker:

Eric Lim
Head of Leadership & OD, SBS Transit and Head of L&D
ComfortDelGro
10:50 AM
Morning break
11:20 AM
[Panel discussion]
The human edge: Why human skills remain crucial in a tech-driven world?
While technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the demand for human skills is far from diminishing. In fact, the most future-ready employees will be those who can harness technology while leveraging soft skills like communication, empathy, and critical thinking.
As highlighted by the World Economic Forum, a unique blend of technical proficiency and human insight will drive true innovation and leadership in the workforce.
In this session, let’s explore:
- Why the rise of technology makes human skills even more essential for organisational success.
- How to identify and nurture the people skills that complement the digital transformation.
- Preparing employees for the future by integrating human insight with emerging technologies to unlock innovation and creativity.
Panellist:

Shaun Renwick
Senior HR Director, Talent and ED&I, AMEA
12:00 PM
[Keynote presentation]
Accelerated but at risk? Preserving critical thinking in an AI-driven learning environment
AI is transforming the way we learn, providing instant access to knowledge, personalised learning paths, and automated content curation. While this evolution accelerates learning, it raises a growing concern: are we trading depth for speed? For younger employees who have grown up with on-demand answers, the risk of diminished critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities is real.
This session will examine how L&D leaders can harness the power of AI without compromising essential human skills, such that speed doesn’t replace substance.
Key discussion points include:
- Exploring the impact of AI on critical thinking and how passive learning may weaken problem-solving over time.
- Preserving essential human skills, reasoning, judgement, and analysis in tech-driven learning environments.
- Designing learning experiences that blend instant access with deeper reflection and inquiry
- Reinforcing mentorship, peer learning, and dialogue as key tools to cultivate independent thinking.
12:40 PM
Networking lunch
1:40 PM
[Talent trivia]
Let’s get down to some friendly competition post lunch! We will have some trivia questions, carefully curated to reflect your conversations. This will serve as both a fun challenge and an opportunity to refresh & recharge for the afternoon ahead. Get clicking – fastest fingers come first!
2:00 PM
[Case study]
From roles to readiness: What’s working in the shift to a skills-based approach?
As organisations transition from traditional role-based models to skills-based structures, many are discovering both the promise and the pitfalls of this transformation. While the approach offers increased agility and more targeted development, successful implementation requires more than just a mindset shift, it demands integrated systems, reliable data, and cultural alignment.
This session will unpack the real-world progress of skills-based transformation, what’s working, what’s not, and how L&D leaders can navigate the shift with impact and intention.
- Lessons from successful implementations, from personalised L&D plans to clearer internal mobility.
- How skills-based structures are enabling fluid talent deployment across roles and functions.
- How organisations are balancing role-based and skills-based approaches in practice.
Transformative tech in learning
2:40 PM
[Panel discussion]
AI-powered personalisation: Transforming learning journeys through skill alignment and data-driven insights
AI is playing a pivotal role in creating personalised, dynamic learning experiences. From automated skill assessments to tailored learning journeys, AI is transforming the way employees develop skills and engage with training content.
This session explores the cutting-edge applications of AI in learning experience platforms (LXPs) Through conversations on:
- Harnessing AI to assess skill gaps and recommend personalised learning journeys.
- Automating skill assessments with AI-driven scenario-based evaluations to improve accuracy.
- AI-supported curriculum matching: Streamlining content delivery for faster, more relevant learning.
- Enhancing real-time data analysis with AI tools to optimise learning effectiveness.
3:20 PM
Afternoon break
3:50 PM
[Lightning talks]
Performance reimagined: Measuring real employee impact in an AI-augmented workforce
As AI becomes a standard tool in the workplace, organisations face a new challenge, that is, how to fairly assess employee performance when machines assist in much of the work. The answer lies in shifting focus from how tasks are done to the quality, creativity, and impact of the outcomes. Rather than discouraging AI use, forward-looking companies are training employees to use it wisely and setting new standards for high performance in AI-augmented roles.
In this session, let’s hear about:
- Redefining performance – How to measure value-added contributions in an AI-enabled workforce.
- Beyond the tool – Identifying creativity, problem-solving, and judgment that go beyond AI capabilities.
- Building AI fluency – Setting clear expectations for effective and responsible AI use across roles.
4:30 PM
[Mini keynote presentation]
Scaling smart: Designing globally accessible L&D for a distributed workforce
Meeting the learning needs of a globally dispersed workforce requires more than just translating content, it demands thoughtful design, scalable infrastructure, and inclusive delivery. L&D teams are under pressure to ensure employees across regions have equal access to critical skills, aligned learning experiences, and opportunities for growth.
This session explores how organisations are rebuilding L&D programmes that are both globally consistent and locally relevant, while navigating challenges of scale, accessibility, and engagement. Key discussion points include:
- Localisation strategies that maintain global consistency while respecting regional nuances.
- Leveraging technology to remove barriers in connectivity, language, and time zones.
- Frameworks for rolling out impactful L&D across multiple geographies with agility and efficiency.
4:50 PM
Closing remarks

Priya Sunil
Deputy Editor, Southeast Asia
5:00 PM