The all-star team is back— Drs. Karl Kapp, Ellen Wagner, David Metcalf, and host Anders Gronstedt—with clear, opinionated predictions for what will shape L&D in 2026.

In 2026, the edge won’t come from dabbling in AI or XR—it’ll come from putting them to work at scale. Forget Course-first. Start with Action-first learning: safe, repeatable XR practice with AI coaching, measured by performance (errors down, cycle time down, readiness up), not completions.

If you own L&D strategy, learning tech, or workforce readiness, this webinar cuts the noise and sharpens your 2026 plan.

What You'll Learn:

• XR + GenAI Convergence: Why "practice-on-demand" becomes the standard for high-stakes training
• Action-First Design: Karl Kapp's framework for flipping the model—do first, learn second
• AI Super Teams: David Metcalf on digital twins as collaborative teammates, not just tools
• Scale + Personalization: Ellen Wagner's roadmap for data fluency that delivers both

Bring your questions for a lively conversation.

Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D., is a professor of Instructional Design and Technology at Commonwealth University in Bloomsburg, PA and author of a dozen books on the convergence of learning, technology, games and interactive instruction including the best selling "The Gamification of Learning and Instruction" and the soon to be released "Action-First Learning: Instructional Design Techniques to Engage and Inspire."

Karl writes a popular LinkedIn Newsletter called "L&D Easter Eggs" and is a frequent international keynote speaker, workshop leader, moderator, and panelist at conferences as well as events for private corporations and universities. He is a TEDx speaker, author of ten LinkedIn Learning Courses, developer of digital and analog learning games, and passionate about action-first learning designs. His current passion projects are his YouTube series called "The Unofficial, Unauthorized History of Learning Games" and his series "How AI Helps L&D Professionals."

Follow him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlkapp/

As managing partner of North Coast EduVisory Services, Dr. Wagner advises organizations on strategic use of emerging technologies to enhance human learning capabilities. She is affiliated with University of Central Florida's Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Laboratory and serves on advisory boards including the University System of Maryland Kirwan Innovation Center. Her editorial work with eLearning Magazine and the International Journal of Designs for Learning reflects her commitment to advancing research in technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Wagner recently completed Wharton Business School's Leading in An AI Future program, reinforcing her expertise in AI's potential to augment human performance and transform educational experiences.

David Metcalf has more than 20 years' experience in the design and research of web-based and mobile technologies converging to enable learning and healthcare.

Dr. Metcalf is Director of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL) at UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training. The team has built mHealth solutions, simulations, games, eLearning, mobile and enterprise IT systems for Google, J&J, VA, U.S. military and UCF's College of Medicine among others. Recent projects include Lake Nona’s Intelligent Home prototype and SignificantTechnology, a mobile-enabled online degree and eResource kit.
 

Anders Gronstedt, Ph.D., is president of The Gronstedt Group, which is instrumental in helping some of the world's largest employers, including the U.S. Navy, Walmart, Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Daikin improve performance with their custom-developed multi-player VR simulations and learning games. He is a frequent industry speaker and writer with articles appearing in the Harvard Business Review.