What is the Purpose of Human Teams in the AI Era? Action Learning Marks 20 Years in Japan, Gathering Practitioners from 16 Countries in Tokyo This October to Redefine Teamwork and Leadership

NPO Japan Institute for Action Learning (WIAL Japan) (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Fumiyo Seimiya) announces that it will co-host a global conference with the World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL) on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Shibuya, Tokyo.

As generative AI begins to penetrate business decision-making, a quiet question is spreading across global management floors: "What is the purpose of human teams?" The theme of this conference exploring this question is "The Rise of Future-Making Teams." Marking the 20th anniversary of the introduction of Action Learning in Japan, practitioners and researchers from 16 countries will gather to redefine teamwork and leadership in the AI era.

■ Why this global conference now?

AI, geopolitics, climate, and social structures—everything is simultaneously fluctuating at an exponential rate. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Curran have named this era "Complexponential" (Complexity x Exponential). The very meaning of a team as a unit is being fundamentally questioned.

Today, developing a team may no longer be about generating high performance or improving efficiency. We are in the midst of a major paradigm shift. In this era where AI handles calculation and optimization, teams exist so that humans can bear responsibility as humans. What is required is not someone to "lead," but the ability to sustain the energy of the shared space.

EGTL (Emergent Generative Team Leadership), which will be thoroughly discussed at this conference, is a new concept that redefines leadership from "individual capability" to "something that emerges from the team." This will be the first time in Asia that the advocates, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Curran, will appear together publicly on stage.

■ What is Action Learning?

Action Learning is a team-based approach where the team itself uses real organizational challenges as material to search for answers through "questions," simultaneously advancing problem-solving and learning. Proposed in the 1940s by British physicist Reg Revans, it is now practiced in over 40 countries worldwide. It was introduced to Japan in 2006 under the guidance of WIAL founder Dr. Michael Marquardt (Professor Emeritus at George Washington University).

■ Three Newsworthy Points of this Conference

[Point 1] 20th Anniversary of Action Learning in Japan — A milestone international conference redefining the AI era.

This year marks 20 years since its introduction in 2006. Over the past two decades, thousands of Action Learning coaches have been trained in Japan, taking root in corporate organizational and human resource development. Fumiyo Seimiya, Representative Director of WIAL Japan, will serve as Conference Chair.

[Point 2] Two EGTL Advocates Make Their First Appearance in Asia — Tokyo becomes the launchpad for new leadership theory.

Dr. Randal Joy Thompson and Dr. Kathleen Curran will take the stage together. This is the first time in the Asian region that both will speak publicly together about EGTL. They will broadcast the "Four Dynamics" that drive teams in the AI era from Tokyo to the world.

[Point 3] Over 15 Practitioners from 16 Countries Taking the Stage — Cross-disciplinary exploration of "Future-Making Teams."

Following a Call for Proposals (CFP), over 15 sessions were selected from the US, UK, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Poland, France, Belgium, Brazil, and more. WIAL board members will also be visiting Japan from 10 countries.

■ Event Overview

Name

WIAL Global Conference 2026 Japan

Theme

The Rise of Future-Making Teams

Dates

Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, 2026

Venue

Shibuya QWS (15F Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

Format

Hybrid (In-person + Online) / With simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation

Organizer

NPO Japan Institute for Action Learning (WIAL Japan)

Co-organizer

World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL)

Official Website

https://www.jial.or.jp/conference2026/index_ja.html

■ Keynote Speakers

Dr. Randal Joy Thompson

Researchers