The 2023 Training Industry Conference & Expo (TICE) was another one for the books. This year, over 600 learning leaders gathered from around the world to learn from and connect with each other in person over the course of three days in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Many learning leaders were TICE veterans, and many were also first-time attendees to Training Industry’s annual in-person event. For me, this was my third time attending TICE and like in years’ past, it was time well spent connecting with passionate L&D professionals and the innovative training suppliers dedicated to supporting them.

Every year, TICE concludes with a “Bright Idea Exchange” luncheon. Essentially, attendees gather to share a “bright idea” they gained over the course of the event. This has long been a favorite tradition for many attendees (and for our team here at Training Industry), as it highlights the many insights gained and ideas sparked throughout the conference.

I wanted to take a moment to share my own “bright idea” from TICE 2023 — which is that the future of L&D is bright. Here are three reasons why, based on the sessions held and insights shared at TICE 2023.

1. Investment in L&D continues to rise.

In the opening keynote, Dr. Amy DuVernet, CPTM, Training Industry’s director of training and development, took the stage to share recent data and more insights related to the current state of the training industry. DuVernet’s message was a hopeful one: She shared that, according to Training Industry research, while global training investment dropped 3% in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, global training spend should reach just over pre-COVID levels this year.

With the global economy still in flux and many industries cutting back on extra costs, this is great news for learning professionals. It proves that L&D has largely moved away from being seen as a “cost center” and, today, is seen as the competitive advantage that learning leaders have long known it is. As more companies rely on the training function to upskill and reskill employees to keep pace with industry shifts, and to deliver the professional development opportunities that employees have come to expect, we anticipate that training investment will continue to rise in the future.

2. The future of L&D is still human.

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are dominating headlines around the world — and rightly so. Businesses across industries are working to determine how AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard and Perplexity AI can augment their workforce by automating rote tasks. Of course, advancements in AI also have many employees (and businesses) worried as to how their jobs (or industry) will be impacted by these rapidly advancing technologies.

Fortunately, in his session “How Generative AI and ChatGPT Are Transforming the Future of Learning,” Chris Kuntz, vice president of strategic operations at Augmentir, predicted that “AI will augment, not replace, workers.” That said, learning leaders do need to build their data literacy and tech savviness to successfully leverage these technologies and keep pace with advancements. In doing so, they will be able to determine which technologies can best support their programs. As Chris Cassell, CPTM, director of sales development and operational excellence for the Americas region at Align Technology, shared in a keynote panel discussion, “Technology needs to fit the process,” rather than squeezing the process into a technology.

As AI-enabled tools and technologies continue to hit the market, L&D professionals will remain at the forefront of determining how — and if — they can support business-critical learning initiatives. In other words? While it may look quite different from years’ past (or even from a few months’ past), the future of L&D is still human.

3. You’re not alone.

From innovative learning management system (LMS) providers to virtual reality (VR) training companies, there were many training vendors in attendance at TICE 2023. As Ken Taylor, Training Industry’s CEO, shared, it is within these training companies where “innovation happens.” So, for learning leaders feeling overwhelmed by new technologies, shifting business priorities, the need to upskill a large, dispersed workforce (or for any other reason), remember: You’re not alone.

There are many corporate training suppliers available with the skills and expertise needed to support your efforts so that you can continue to do what you do best — drive the business of learning.

If you attended TICE 2023, I hope you gained valuable insights that you’re already applying back on the job. Let us know what your “bright idea” from TICE 2023 was by tagging us on social media at @TrainingIndustr.

If you weren’t able to attend this year’s conference, or if you’re looking for more opportunities to learn and grow alongside your peers, register for the upcoming virtual TICE, happening September 27-28, here.