Navigating Agentic Recognition
6th ICoBC Symposium 2026 — Agentic AI in Learning & Enablement: balancing autonomous systems, trusted credentials, and human agency.
How can digital credentials ensure trusted recognition when AI agents act on our behalf?
The 6th ICoBC Symposium brings the global credentialing community together in Berlin to examine what autonomously acting AI means for education and the world of work.
The tension at the core
On one side stands the highly scalable, automated capture and validation of competences by AI agents — the agentic side. On the other stands the human need for recognition that is traceable, fair, and valued — the recognition side. The core challenge is to balance technical efficiency with the preservation of human sovereignty, privacy, and equal opportunity.
Context
Building on our previous symposia — “From Theory to Practice,” “The Journey of the Champions,” “Connecting the Dots,” “Ensuring Equal Inclusion,” and “Building Global Capabilities” — the 2026 edition bridges micro-credentials, Open Badges 3.0, skill inventories, and EUDI Wallets with the governance of autonomous systems.
Four key questions
The questions we will work on together during the afternoon.
Fairness & trust
How do we guarantee fairness, transparency, and objectivity when AI agents independently capture, match, and verify skills?
Architecture & standards
Which technical protocols — for example Verifiable Credentials, Open Badges 3.0, and DIDs — do we need as machines increasingly process credentials for other machines?
Autonomy & sovereignty
Who keeps the final say on whether a qualification is valid — the algorithm, the educational institution, or the individual?
Governance & accountability
Who is accountable and liable when AI systems assess competences incorrectly, use unauthorised certificates, or make wrong decisions?
Focus topics
Verifiable trust & zero trust
Cryptographic verification, separating proof of achievement from system permissions, and time-limited rights for software agents.
Digital identity & EUDI Wallets
The role of the eIDAS 2.0 framework, user-centric data control, and the line between citizen identity and agent authorisation.
Quality seals & accreditation
Quality assurance for AI-supported assessments, criteria for trustworthy issuers, and the right level of human oversight (human in the loop).
Programme (14:00 – 18:00)
The symposium follows an interactive Open Space format that leaves ample room for co-creation and direct exchange between experts.
Arrival & check-in
Registration, arrival at Office Club Berlin, welcome coffee and informal networking.
Impulse & framing
Opening by the ICoBC Board.
Keynote / framing: Navigating Agentic Recognition – risks, opportunities and governance of autonomous recognition
ICoBC Board
Open Space pitch & agenda setting
Participatory session: participants pitch concrete questions, use cases and challenges, and together set the breakout topics on the spot.
Breakout sessions, phase 1: deep dives
Parallel working groups on the pitched topics — for example architecture & standards, wallet integration, quality seals, or risk controls.
Breakout sessions, phase 2: solution spaces & co-creation
Condensing the results into concrete recommendations and guardrails.
Synthesis & Connect & Commit
Bringing the key insights together in plenary. Connect & Commit: agreeing concrete next steps and partnerships.
Get-together
Drinks, networking and continued conversations.
Registration and payment
Registration details and payment links will be published here once available. For enquiries about attending or contributing to the symposium, contact the ICoBC team.
Partners, sponsors and supporters
Become a sponsor of the 6th ICoBC Symposium 2026
Support a conversation that connects responsible AI, trusted digital credentials, and human agency. Sponsorship offers organisations working in learning, enablement, digital identity, credentialing, and security an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to trusted recognition and engage with an international community.
Email us about sponsoringPrevious sponsors and supporters include Accenture, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Speexx, Lightcast / Emsi Burning Glass, Dataport, and relevantive. As a sponsor, you gain the following benefits:
- 2 complimentary registrations at the symposium
- Hyperlink with company name and logo on the official symposium web page
- Company name on promotional emails
- Logo or listing in the ICoBC onsite program as an official sponsor
- Logo displayed on the banner at the event entrance
- Logo displayed in video recordings
Participants of previous symposia
Previous symposia brought together representatives from education, industry, government, technology, and international organisations. This historical list does not imply attendance at or endorsement of the 2026 event.
Organizations
Access Microfinance Holding AG, AccessHolding, America Succeeds, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Atlantic Technological University, Australian Catholic University, Badge Europe, Bayer, Bildungsplattform der WKO GmbH, Bloom Foundation, BMBF, Bookt, Brigham Young University, CanCred by Learning Agents, Certif-ID International OHG, CGFNS International, Concentric Sky / Badgr, Credential Engine, Credivera, CredShare, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), Digitary, Education Design Lab, Education in Motion, E-duProof UG, eLearning Africa, Emsi Burning Glass, Essential Skills Program, Fachhochschule Münster, FAO, Forever Day One (4ed1 GmbH), Gear Up, George Washington University, German Testing Board e.V., Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ZDH, Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, Humanitarian Leadership Academy, ICDE, ICoBC, imc AG, Institute of Technology Sligo, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jumia, kcg.edu, Knapp & Associates Int’l, Lightcast, LinkedIn, Microsoft, NAEC, The Open University (UK), Proctorio GmbH, RANDA Solutions, Regione Emilia-Romagna, relevantive GmbH, Seneca College, Speexx, SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Stifterverband, Studieorganisasjon Folkeuniversitetet, T3 Innovation Network, Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, Technische Universität Berlin, TÜV Rheinland International GmbH, University of Huddersfield, University of Kentucky, University of Maine System, UNSSC, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, Visions, Western Governors University, World Bank
Roles represented
University leaders, professors and researchers; founders and executive leaders; policy advisers; credentialing and certification specialists; digital identity and authentication experts; learning designers and workforce development professionals; product managers and engineers; strategic partnership and business development leaders; project and programme managers; and specialists in skills intelligence, assessment, and credential integrity.
Venue and practical information
Office Club Berlin, Friedrichstraße 171, 10117 Berlin, Germany. The programme runs from 14:00 to 18:00 (Berlin local time), followed by drinks and networking. For attendance, partnership, or sponsorship enquiries, please contact info@icobc.net.