Meet the OEB25 Speakers: Keynote Anja Schmitz

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Anja Schmitz as a keynote speaker at OEB25. As Professor of Human Resource Management at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, she focuses on workplace learning, organisational development, and the impact of AI on HR. With her background in Industrial and Organisational Psychology and experience in both academia and business, Dr. Schmitz offers valuable insights into building learning cultures, shaping the future of work, and driving HR transformation.

What was your first thought about this year’s conference theme “Humanity in the Intelligent Age: Empathy, Responsibility, and the Duty of Care”?

Once again the conference theme is spot on! It resonates strongly with the current need to balance technological innovation with human values and ethical responsibility in learning and work. We live in exciting times in which AI and automation are reshaping how and what we learn and work. For this “Intelligent Age” we are currently laying the groundwork. And this groundwork should consider the critical question of how we can ensure that technology serves humanity, not the reverse?

If you could look into the year 2045, what do you envision learning will be driven by?

At the current rate of change I sure wish I could look twenty years ahead, but I am not sure that this can be more than only a halfway educated guess, so I just want to take out a key aspect: By 2045, I imagine learning driven by human-centred AI integration: our learning will be shaped by an AI-based operating system. This system will accompany us throughout our lives, integrate a vast amount of data and will support us in different kinds of learning. At the moment, I also don’t want to exclude the possibility that we will have some form of brain-computer interface – bringing along huge potential but also equally big risks.

What was your most significant learning experience?

Together with Jan Foelsing I have facilitated a learning culture development circle for HR and L&D professionals. For me, it was highly significant to be facing the same challenges in the circle – e.g. more pressing daily business, not enough time, meetings that are prioritised over the “learning time” in the circle. It led to a great reflection of what we (can) expect of employees and how we can support self-regulation.

Which question is asked too rarely when we talk about learning?

A crucial but under-asked question is: How can we best support learners in dealing with these unprecedented rates of change?

What would be the title of your autobiography?

Living to Learn: Navigating Uncertainty with Curiosity

What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s OEB?

Definitely to the opportunity to meet with such a diverse set of speakers and participants. It is a truly great event for getting inspired by such diverse professionals – all of them passionate about learning – OEB has become one of my most cherished learning weeks in the year.

Thank you, Anja! Anja Schmitz will be speaking at OEB25 on Friday, 05 December at the Plenary “The Responsibility Revolution: How Learning Leaders Shape Tomorrow’s Workplace”.