We’re in the home stretch of 2025, and we’re not slowing down. This month brings hands-on learning, AI-powered tools, global perspectives, and fresh content to help you finish strong and plan smart for the year ahead.
Get the quick rundown in this one-minute video 👇
Table of contents
- Get hands-on with IT and cybersecurity: Live Labs are here
- Simon: Now with more room to work
- OpenSesame Exclusive publisher ICON is going global
- Meet our five new OpenSesame Plus publishers
- Step into the future of learning with AI
- New resource roundup
Get hands-on with IT and cybersecurity: Live Labs are here
When it comes to learning IT and cybersecurity, theory only gets you so far. Real understanding comes from doing. That’s why we’ve added ACI Learning’s Skill Labs to OpenSesame Plus.
These cloud-based, hands-on labs give learners the chance to practice what they’re learning in safe, sandboxed environments. No complex setup. No risk of breaking anything. Just real-time experience applying skills like configuring networks, troubleshooting systems, and solving security challenges.
Simon: Now with more room to work
One of your most requested updates is here – Simon slides now support up to 400 characters of body text! That’s more room to add context, examples, or helpful instructions, all while keeping the course mobile-friendly and accessible. This update strikes the perfect balance: more flexibility for authors, same great experience for learners on any device.
OpenSesame Exclusive publisher ICON is going global!
We’re thrilled to announce that ICON, the award-winning thought leadership interview film series, has officially gone international! This month, we’re spotlighting two powerhouse voices who are shaping the global conversation on leadership, innovation, and organizational culture.
- Gary Hamel (United Kingdom) – Ranked by The Wall Street Journal as the world’s most influential business thinker, Hamel’s groundbreaking insights on strategy and innovation challenge the status quo and inspire organizations to reimagine what’s possible.
- Maha Abouelenein (Egypt / USA / UAE) – A communications powerhouse and founder of Digital & Savvy, Maha brings unmatched expertise in global storytelling, influence, and digital transformation across continents.
Check out all ICON courses here.
Your OpenSesame Plus library just got even better
We’re welcoming five new publishers to the platform, each bringing fresh perspectives, hands-on learning, and engaging experiences to help your teams grow. Whether you’re focused on IT, safety, leadership, or personal development, there’s something new for every learner.
ACI Learning Skill Labs
Get hands-on with IT and cybersecurity without risking your real systems. ACI Learning Skill Labs offers live, browser-based environments where learners can practice for top certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and more.
Hard Hat VR
Safety training doesn’t have to be static. Hard Hat VR delivers immersive, web-based simulations that recreate real construction and manufacturing environments. By blending gaming-style interactivity with practical learning, their courses make safety and compliance training more engaging, memorable, and effective for today’s modern workforce.
Learnamite
Learnamite is reimagining microlearning for the modern learner. Their short, high-quality videos cover technology, artificial intelligence, and business skills — all designed to inform and inspire. With engaging presenters and crisp production, Learnamite brings a human touch to digital learning, helping individuals and teams stay sharp, curious, and ready for whatever comes next.
UpLevel
When time is limited, learning should still count. UpLevel makes skill-building quick, practical, and global with 5–8 minute courses that cover business, leadership, AI, and technology. Each course includes quizzes to test your knowledge and translations in ten languages, making it easier than ever for teams everywhere to learn, apply, and grow together.
GoodHabitz
GoodHabitz helps organizations make learning a natural part of everyday work life. Their in-depth, multi-activity courses cover business skills, leadership, and wellbeing, all designed to inspire personal growth and stronger teams. Each course is produced in-house by learning experts, localized in over ten languages, and built to meet accessibility standards so everyone can learn with ease.
Step into the Future of Learning
Last month, we hosted an insightful conversation with Donald H. Taylor and Egle Vinauskaite exploring the current state of AI in workplace learning. Drawing from their global survey of more than 500 L&D professionals, they shared how teams are using AI today, where it’s having real impact, and what to watch out for as adoption grows.
Missed the live session? Catch the recording here or read our recap of the key takeaways from the discussion.
Wondering what AI will really mean for workplace learning just a year from now? On Tuesday, 18 November, join industry experts Stacia Sherman Garr, Marc Zao-Sanders, JD Dilon, and Adhmad Ameen for a forward-looking panel on AI’s evolving role in L&D. You’ll get practical use cases, ready-to-apply templates, and strategies to guide your AI journey into 2026.
New resource roundup
Before you go, check out these new articles and resources designed to strengthen your L&D strategy.
Explore five practical ways AI can solve everyday challenges for L&D teams—like content overload and unclear ROI—by streamlining curation, personalization, and reporting. Start small, see real impact, and scale AI to build a smarter, more adaptive learning strategy.
Read now
One year after first exploring AI’s impact on leadership and learning, we revisited the same OpenSesame experts to see what’s changed. From smarter personalization to ethical safeguards and workflow automation, AI has moved from hype to hands-on, reshaping how organizations learn, lead, and work.
Read now
To help teams thrive in the age of AI, we’ve turned three powerful book summaries into short, engaging videos covering AI collaboration, communication, and the future of work. Paired with a ready-to-use Facilitator’s Guide, these summaries are designed to spark discussion and turn insight into action across your organization.
Read now
And don’t forget these too: