If there’s one thing that came over loud and clear at this year’s ATP Innovations in Testing conference in Orlando, it’s that our industry continues to ride the wave of innovation. And we’re all paddling hard together to stay ahead of it.
With a large number of sessions dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), and a packed agenda exploring everything from exam security to fairness in testing, ATP 2025 delivered a week of collaboration, inspiration, and momentum.
This year’s conference theme, Better Together: Testing the Limits, truly lived up to its name. The collective energy, from keynote speeches to breakout sessions, reinforced how much our strength lies in collaboration. As Bridget Herd, ATP Innovations Conference Chair, emphasized in her opening address, this is a community that tackles tough challenges together. We share, we innovate, and we push each other forward.
The AI buzz – and beyond
It probably won’t surprise anyone that AI dominated the conversation – again. This year, 34 sessions tackled AI from all angles. They covered strategy, implementation, policy, regulation, exam development, scoring, and, of course, security.
What stood out wasn’t just the volume of discussion, but the diversity of perspectives. There was both excitement and healthy caution in the room. From the power of generative AI tools to the evolving regulatory landscape (including the ripple effects of EU regulation and deregulation in other geographies), to the very practical ways AI is already being embedded across the assessment lifecycle.
One standout example came from a session on nursing education, where a tool was showcased that enables educators to generate AI-based quizzes. The goal? Freeing up educators to focus on what they love – teaching – instead of spending hours writing test questions. It was a small but powerful example of how AI is being used not just for high-stakes exams, but to support the day-to-day work of educators and assessment professionals.
Whether it’s helping with content mapping, test development, or scoring, AI’s potential is being explored thoughtfully and actively across the board. What was equally refreshing was the focus on how to use it responsibly. Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability is central.
Test security in an evolving landscape
The conversation around exam security has also evolved, and urgently so. As AI tools become more powerful and more accessible, so too do the risks.
Sessions on security didn’t shy away from the tough stories about breaches and lessons learned. What was encouraging was the level of openness and collaboration among industry players. Vendors and organizations alike shared real examples, discussed mitigation strategies, and emphasized the importance of continuous learning.
Security, as many speakers pointed out, is not a one-and-done process. It’s a living, adaptive practice – and we’re stronger when we share our insights and challenges openly.
Download our guide to AI and test security.
Spotlight on innovations in testing: Fast Pitch
One of the highlights of the conference was the Fast Pitch competition – a plenary session that puts innovation center stage. With no concurrent sessions running, it drew the full crowd and didn’t disappoint.
Four finalists presented AI-driven solutions designed to improve assessment delivery, support test development, or enhance stakeholder engagement. A panel of judges (plus the audience) weighed in, awarding winners in both categories.
The Fast Pitch is more than a competition. It’s a platform for new ideas, a celebration of entrepreneurial thinking, and a reminder of the creativity fueling our industry. It reflected the overpowering focus on AI, but also our ongoing commitment to using innovation for the betterment of our work.
Keeping people at the center
With all the tech talk, it would be easy to forget what’s at the heart of this industry – people. That’s why ATP Board Chair Ada Woo’s presentation struck such a chord. She reminded us that behind every exam is an individual whose life may change because of it. Whether it’s a language test that opens the door to education abroad, a licensure exam that unlocks a new career path, or a certification that helps someone progress in their profession.
Ada’s story, as someone whose own life was shaped by the power of assessment, brought this message home in a powerful way. It’s a perspective we share deeply. At PSI, we often talk about our mission being to help people meet their potential. Conferences like ATP are a good reminder of the human side of our work, and why it matters so much.
Listen to the PSI Tried and Tested podcast with Ada Woo.
Better together – and stronger for it
As we look back on a packed week of insights, ideas, and connections, what stays with us most is the sense of community. Yes, we’re facing disruption. Yes, we’re adapting faster than ever. But we’re also doing it together through knowledge sharing, constructive challenge, and a willingness to innovate.
Opportunities to connect in-person – to listen, to learn, and to lift each other up – are invaluable. This year’s ATP conference reminded me just how important that is. As we head into the rest of 2025, I’m energized by the conversations I had and the new possibilities ahead. I’m proud to be part of an industry that tests the limits collaboratively, creatively, and with people at the center of it all.