The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook
Starting today: IDTX online conference – Building our future together
The Instructional Design Tips Exchange is an L&D conference focusing on practical skills for all learning and development professionals.
IDTX has always been and will always be free to attend, and all recorded sessions will be available online. We believe that the value shared by speakers at our event should be accessible to as many people as possible.
From classroom to office – why Gen Z feel like they’re stepping onto a different planet at work and how to help them
An international learning and development (L&D) leader specialising in early talent development, Development Beyond Learning (DBL), urges businesses to carefully guide young employees through the unfamiliar territory of workplace norms rather than expect them to just figure it out alone.
“Imagine landing on a planet where you don’t speak the language or understand the customs – you’d need a guide, not just a rulebook,” says Pete Humphreys, CEO of DBL. “Starting a first job can feel just as daunting as they arrive in a new place expected to deal with difficult conversations, team work, office politics and dress standards without the knowledge or experience how to deal with these nuances.”
HireVue’s 2025 AI report shows the majority of HR leaders trust AI hiring decisions
HireVue, the global leader in skills-based hiring, has released its 2025 Global Guide to AI in Hiring, revealing how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping hiring at a rapid pace. Based on insights from more than 4,000 HR leaders and employees worldwide, the report highlights a shift from AI experimentation to full-scale implementation. AI adoption among HR professionals surged from 58% in 2024 to 72% in 2025. Importantly, the gap between candidate and HR leader perceptions is closing as candidates embrace generative AI as a partner in their personal race for employment.
Socially dominant individuals are more confident but not necessarily more competent
Research from the University of Kent’s School of Psychology has found that people who strive for dominance, whether in personal or professional life, are more confident in their decision-making but are no more accurate in their choices than those of a lower social status.
The research, published by the journal Personality and Individual Differences, challenges the idea that confidence signals competence, a perception that often propels dominant individuals into leadership roles. Led by Dr Andrew Martin, the research found that social dominance was comparable between males and females and both showed an effect of greater confidence, debunking the long-held belief that dominance-driven strategies are primarily male traits.
AI Improves Work-Life Balance For 61% of Business Leaders
Tech.co’s 2025 Impact of Technology on the Workplace Report has revealed that AI is revolutionizing work-life balance for business leaders, with 61% saying it’s improved their work-life balance. How AI improves work-life balance: AI-automated tasks = more time and greater productivity
AI-automated tasks can create additional free time for senior business leaders to tackle more complex or strategic-level tasks. This increased efficiency could also lead to improved productivity and a higher return on investment. AI facilitates the 4 day work week. The Tech.co survey data also reveals that 93% of businesses using AI are open to a 4-day work week, compared to 44% of businesses that don’t use AI.
Over two-thirds of employees want greater control over AI and workplace changes
New research from monday.com, the multi-product platform that runs all core aspects of work, reveals that UK employees are seeking greater influence over strategic decisions as workplaces undergo rapid change.
The survey of 520+ UK employees found that 67% want more control over their company’s direction, while half demand greater transparency around workplace and technological change. At the same time, over a third (38%) are mindful that AI might replace responsibilities they enjoy, highlighting the importance of aligning innovation with employee satisfaction.
How humans learn to optimise working memory
While scientists agree that the capacity of working memory is limited, they offer competing theories about how and why this is true. But new research from scientists at the Carney Institute for Brain Science at Brown University shows why limits on working memory exist.
“The simulations we ran show that if we did hold more than just a few items at a time, it becomes too difficult to learn how to manage so many pieces of information at once, such that the brain gets confused and can’t use the information it does store,” Soni said. “At the same time, our research demonstrates that when faced with these limitations, the brain responds by learning to strategically tap into a mechanism to help conserve space.”
One in five say their employers should do more to keep them safe
Research from Mitie, the UK’s leading security provider has revealed the duty of care that people expect of their employers will be a focus throughout 2025, with one in five (19%) saying that their employer should be doing more to keep them safe.
The research found that the measures organisations have in place to protect their employees from harm is even more of a concern for the younger generation of workers, with over a quarter (27%) of those aged 18-34 saying they expect their employers to be doing more to keep them safe. This comes as half of women (44%) and a fifth of men (21%) say they feel unsafe in the dark, even when making everyday journeys, including commuting to work. This figure rises to over a third (36%) amongst those who work less regular hours and leave the house or return home when it is dark.
Data points to ‘silent mental health crisis’ among older workers
Older workers feel excluded from conversations around mental health and developments in artificial intelligence that could boost workplace wellbeing, research has revealed. A study of 2,500 UK employees found a significant divide between different age groups and genders in their attitudes to workplace mental health and emerging technologies.
The research, from workplace mental health provider Unmind, found that older employees reported feeling excluded from conversations around mental health, saying that stigma about poor mental health was the biggest barrier to accessing support.
The future of AI in hospitality
As the hospitality industry evolves, businesses are increasingly looking to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance guest experiences, improve employee satisfaction, and streamline operations. Planday, a workforce management platform, is addressing the concerns and potential benefits AI can bring to the sector, helping businesses optimise processes while allowing staff to focus on customer experience.
Will Meadows, VP of Experience Design at Planday, outlines key areas where AI can be used in hospitality. AI-powered tools can support businesses by predicting inventory needs, managing bookings, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. These systems function like a personal assistant, helping businesses improve efficiency in event planning, staff scheduling, and financial management.
AI in HR today: hype and expectation booming
HR professionals’ expectations for the impact of AI in HR has grown significantly. 91% are experiencing some impact from AI on their HR function. Today, the main AI benefits in HR are not about cost reduction, but efficiency and speeding up HR processes. Very few feel their AI adoption is advanced, and research shows that HR teams should not underestimate the challenges of implementing AI.
