The 6th edition of Certified by Drillster brought together learning professionals and customers for a day centered on one pressing question: what is the role of learning in a world dominated by AI? Hosted at Dotslash in Utrecht, the event combined product updates, customer stories, and learning science into a compelling narrative about the future of learning.
The central message of the event was both simple and powerful: "In a world full of AI, active learning is a necessity." While AI can generate content, summarize information, and even create training materials, it cannot replace the cognitive effort required to truly learn. Real learning happens when individuals actively process information, retrieve knowledge, and apply it in meaningful contexts.
Speakers emphasized that "effort" (or desirable difficulty) is essential for building strong neural connections and long-term memory. Passive consumption, like watching, reading, or listening, is not enough. Instead, learners must engage, think, and struggle productively to retain knowledge.
Using examples such as mental visualization techniques used by Olympic athletes, the event illustrated how preparing the brain for real-world scenarios improves performance.
This concept is deeply embedded in Drillster's approach: moving from "knowing the rule" to "acting correctly when it matters." Scenario-based learning, where learners must make decisions in realistic situations, was highlighted as a key driver of deeper understanding and behavior change.
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Several product updates were introduced, reinforcing Drillster's focus on continuous, practical learning:
Customer cases from organizations like Alrijne, Unive, Impact Financiele Opleidingen, PAL Aerospace and Ambulancedienst Gooi- en Vechtstreek demonstrated how Drillster is used in high-stakes environments. A common thread emerged:
Organizations reported better knowledge retention, increased engagement, and more confidence in applying skills when it matters most.
Certified by Drillster 2026 made one thing clear: AI is transforming how we create and deliver learning content, but not how we learn. Learning still requires effort, reflection, and application. And only the learner can do this.
The real opportunity lies in combining AI with proven learning principles. By using AI to design smarter, more contextual learning experiences, organizations can better prepare their people, not just to know more, but to perform better.
In the end, the message resonates strongly: AI can support learning, but it cannot replace the human effort behind it.
Watch the aftermovie of Certified by Drillster 2026 below (the event was held in Dutch but the aftermovie has subtitles):
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