Only 25% of organisations say their leadership development programs deliver meaningful business impact, despite significant investment, as research shows. In 2026, leadership expectations are evolving faster than leadership capacity, as organisations operate in AI-enabled, high-velocity environments with shorter decision cycles, abundant data, and ambiguity. The gap is not access to content, but the ability to convert learning into applied decision-making that drives performance.

Traditional, content-heavy formats with limited behavioural reinforcement continue to dominate leadership development, making it difficult to link learning to business outcomes. Here, AI and business simulations offer a structural shift. AI can help with personalisation and real-time feedback, while simulations enable leaders to immerse themselves in complex, decision-based scenarios across strategy, finance, operations, and people. Together, this shifts leadership development from knowledge transfer to applied capability that can drive measurable business impact.

In a closed-door roundtable hosted by People Matters in association with global leadership development company Abilitie, CHROs, L&D heads, and business leaders will explore how AI-powered simulations are accelerating leadership capability – from content delivery to measurable performance impact – drawing on real-world insights, data, and case studies. This frank and relevant conversation will examine how organisations can redesign leadership development for sustained performance outcomes.