Language providers grapple with AI and Gen Z disruptions

The ALTO Where Leaders Meet spring conference, held in New York City this year, brought together global leaders in the language and educational travel industry to tackle some of the sector’s most pressing challenges – from navigating AI’s disruptive impact to managing intergenerational teams and rethinking leadership approaches.

Key themes running throughout the three-day event included leadership and feedback, sustainability, the integration of AI into education and operations, and the shifting workplace expectations of Gen Z employees.

Leadership workshops led by Tamsin Plaxton and Bill Benjamin encouraged participants to take a more empathetic and collaborative approach to managing teams, emphasising the importance of listening, clarifying, and co-creating solutions with staff – rather than defaulting to top-down problem solving.

These ideas were echoed by Gen Z expert and author Jonah Stillman, who highlighted the generation’s desire for more agile and personalised career experiences, as backed up by data.

“Gen Z is overwhelmingly interested in designing their own careers and career trajectories,” he said, underscoring the importance of offering timely, real-time feedback.

Unlike millennials, who sought purpose at work, Stillman noted, Gen Z is largely motivated by salary and benefits – and is quick to disengage if their needs aren’t met.

Gen Z is overwhelmingly interested in designing their own careers and career trajectories

Jonah Stillman, Tenkara AI

“They are a highly competitive generation,” he said. “A merit-based system, heavy in financial motivation, is an important formula for retaining Gen Z staff – otherwise they can engage in quiet quitting.”

One of the most talked-about additions to this year’s program was a new debate-format session track. The standout? A provocative “AI versus Human” debate, which examined the tensions and opportunities emerging at the intersection of automation and human expertise.

ICEF’s Tony Lee captured the mood of the session: “AI is likely the biggest thing we’ve had since the combustion engine, and it’s going to change everything. But it’s not going to change it tomorrow. Immediately, we can improve the way we work with one another and with AI.”

Reflecting on the tone of the conference, ALTO board member Selim Dervish said the event served as “a powerful reminder of the importance of open dialogue and the strength that comes from diverse viewpoints.”

“This year’s ALTO Conference in New York City has undoubtedly been one of our best yet,” said ALTO board member Leanne Linacre.

“The calibre of the professional development sessions was exceptional – each one felt like a world-class masterclass, thoughtfully tailored to the specific opportunities and challenges of our sector,” she added.

Meanwhile, born from a roundtable at the conference in New York, #PassportToPeople is a new global campaign launched by ALTO to spotlight the friendships, confidence, and cultural discovery students gain through language learning and study abroad.

The social media initiative invites students to share their stories and aims to showcase the personal impact of international education.

As AI and generational change reshape the sector, the message from ALTO’s spring conference was clear: successful leaders must remain adaptable, people-focused, and unafraid to embrace disruption.

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