Fusion 2026 is underway in Phoenix, Arizona, and it already feels like a very special year.
Customers, partners, educators, learning leaders and D2Lers have come together from around the world to talk about the future of learning. The conversations started yesterday at our Executive Summit, continued through the opening keynote, and carried right into our first social event of the week.
The energy has been awesome.
This year’s theme is Beyond the Horizon. That feels right – not just because we are in Phoenix, where the desert stretches out for miles around the city – but for the moment we are in. Across education, corporate learning and the workforce, we can all see big change ahead. AI is moving fast. Learners are asking important questions about value, skills and opportunity. Employers are rethinking work. Institutions are being asked to adapt faster than ever.
That can feel unsettling.
But what I emphasized in my opening keynote yesterday is that future of learning is not something that simply happens to us. It is something we can shape.
That takes direction. It takes design. And it takes determination.
Direction matters because technology is only useful when we use it with a sense of purpose. AI should not be about chasing the newest tool or automating learning for the sake of it. It should be about improving outcomes, expanding access, helping educators spend more time with learners, and helping learners build the skills and confidence they need for what comes next.
Design matters because good learning does not happen by accident. We have to think carefully about how AI fits into learning environments. We have to build on a foundation of trust. That means security by design. Accessibility by design. Inclusion by design. Those elements are important.
And finally, our determination matters because this work will not be easy. We need – as always – to support each other as we move towards the horizon of learning. Ultimately, though, going backwards is not an option.
One of the most powerful moments at the Executive Summit came from David Coletto of Abacus Data, who talked about the age of precarity. His research showed how many people feel unsure about the future, worried about affordability, concerned about job security, and anxious about whether the old promise of education leading to opportunity still holds.
That message landed in the room because it is not just a public opinion finding. It is a challenge to all of us.
If learners are worried about the future, then education has to help restore confidence. If employers are changing the way work gets done, then we need stronger bridges between learning and work. If AI is reshaping entry-level roles and career pathways, then we need to help learners build not only technical skills, but judgment, communication, ethics, creativity and resilience.
That is why I am so encouraged by the conversations happening at Fusion already.
People are not here to simply reflect on the challenges ahead of us and around us. They are here to share ideas, compare notes, learn from one another, and build what comes next. That is the best part of Fusion. It brings together people who believe learning can change lives, and who are willing to do the work to make that promise real in a changing world.
As Fusion continues, I hope everyone here in Phoenix takes time to connect, ask big questions, explore new ideas and enjoy the energy of this community. And if you weren’t able to attend – don’t worry, you can still sign up to our on-demand version of Fusion.
The horizon is always moving ahead of us. Let’s keep moving toward it together.
P.S. In very personal news, I am pleased to report that I scored a basket from half court at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Given how many attempts it took, I am not expecting any calls from NBA scouts.
Written by:
