AI-powered Learning Systems start to take the lead

Published in November 2025, Fosway Group’s Digital Learning Realities research analyses all the critical trends and opportunities for learning leaders in the next 12 months. Here, Fosway analysts show that the AI-powered learning systems are now leading the way.

Digital Learning Realities AI headcount infographic

Media generation has dominated L&D’s adoption of AI, but 2025 has seen the emergence of AI functionality provided by the LMS and LXPs, which means it now pips media generation to the top spot. But overall, the leading themes for AI have remained consistent. Translation, Gen AI in content authoring, search and content recommendations all feature high up in live and most desired functionality for adoption.

With LMS and LXP solutions struggling to race to innovate in previous years, perhaps it was just a matter of time before the top spot changed. Still, a revolution in the learning experience with more personalised, and richer learning experiences still seems a way off for most L&D teams with adaptive learning, performance support, AI-enabled coaching languishing at less than 10% live adoption. For all the promise of these AI experiences, they have yet to gain much traction. That’s despite an explosion of contextual coaching tools appearing in employee listening, employee engagement and recognition tools in other parts of the employee experience which threaten to replace learning solution in a critical part of people development. The boundaries between the solutions which can enable learning are blurring, and those with the richest data are likely to be the winners.

AI content authoring dominates L&D digital learning buying priorities

AI-enabled content authoring is the only area where L&D teams are unequivocally investing in digital learning. Outsourcing and expanding the internal digital learning team are coming under increased pressure, with AI offering both a tempting alternative cost saving opportunity for e-learning design and development. AI is disrupting where organisations are investing in learning.

The impact of this change in focus for investment in digital learning and the switch to AI in content and media development is having knock-on effects on the nature of the learning team. AI-focused learning roles and analytics / intelligence-focused roles are expanding, whilst more established roles are coming under increased scrutiny. And in the case of learning designers, trainers and general learning consultants, on balance a net decline. The skills that got you this far in your learning career are not necessarily the ones that will power it into the next decade. The reinvention of learning that is coming – let alone that which is already here because of AI – requires a reinvention of learning leaders and learning professionals. To thrive in the future, L&D teams will need to extend neglected skills and grow new ones.

This is an excerpt from Digital Learning Realities 2025. Get the full insight and discover all the latest market and solution trends by downloading all infographics here.

What should you do next?

Other recommended reading

For corporates looking for deeper insight on this and other similar topics, please consider joining our Fosway research network to get access to corporate roundtables, private 1-1 analyst time, benchmark reports and other analyst services or project support. Click here to find out more.

Please also visit the Fosway Knowledge Centre to check out other relevant Fosway research and insights, including filters for segment category, key topics, type of content and vendor-specific information.

DISCOVER MORE OF OUR LATEST HR RESEARCH