OEB 2026 to Address Education’s “Sovereignty Question” in the Age of Intelligent Systems

2026-03-03

As artificial intelligence transforms economies, institutions and the nature of expertise itself, a new question is emerging for education: who remains in control?

At OEB Global 2026, taking place in Berlin from 2 – 4 December, international leaders from education, business and the public sector will examine what organisers describe as the “sovereignty question” in learning systems - how to integrate intelligent technologies without eroding human judgement, institutional autonomy and public trust.

Under the theme “Sovereign Learning: Trust, Agency & the Education Reset,” this year’s conference argues that the debate is no longer about adopting digital tools. It is about direction.

“AI is altering the conditions under which knowledge is created and validated,” said Rebecca Stromeyer, Conference Chair of OEB. “The issue is not whether education uses intelligent systems. It is whether we design learning in ways that strengthen human agency and social trust, rather than creating long-term dependency.”

As roles evolve faster than curricula and verification shifts closer to real-world performance, questions of governance, assessment, procurement, data control and institutional resilience are moving to the forefront. Digital and AI competence is rapidly becoming foundational, while traditional models of specialisation and credentialing face renewed scrutiny.

OEB 2026 will address these tensions across three central strands:

• Structural reform of education and workforce systems
• Technology implementation and measurable impact
• Human agency in increasingly automated learning environments

Sessions will examine assessment and credential reform, AI in practice, the changing role of educators, higher education’s future relevance, and the convergence of learning and work.

Now in its 31st year, OEB remains one of the world’s leading cross-sector forums on digital learning and training, bringing together over 2,000 participants from more than 70 countries. The 2026 edition will be held at the InterContinental Berlin and will run alongside a major international exhibition showcasing learning technologies and digital innovation.

For further information, visit https://oeb.global or contact @email.

Notes for editors