Digital Learning Realities 2025 in partnership with Learning Technologies
Fosway Group, Europe’s #1 HR industry analyst, has announced the key takeaways for organisations from its Digital Learning Realities Research 2025, in association with Learning Technologies, the global leader in workplace learning tech events.
Now in its landmark 11th year, the research explores how L&D teams are tackling the challenges of a business environment and tech landscape that is in a constant state of flux.
It’s clear: a sea change has happened in learning. We have truly entered the age of skills-centred learning strategy, as organisations begin to assess just how fit they are for the future, and plan to build the capabilities that maintain organisational competitiveness at a time of huge upheaval and radical innovation. Our research gives critical insight into what L&D leaders need to navigate the realities of digital learning in 2025 and beyond.
Fosway Group’s signature infographics are part of a seven-part series for this research cycle, and the much anticipated results of this year’s survey can be found below.
Priorities, Strategy and Execution
AI and skills are neck and neck as L&D’s top strategic priorities.
A sea change has happened in learning. Over the past three years of the survey, we have seen the dramatic demise of compliance as the top priority for learning teams. Compliance had held the top spot for more than a decade – but has now tumbled down the priority list to such an extent that only one in four says it’s a high priority.
Budget and Investment Trends
L&D budgets continue to be squeezed with investment in learning under ongoing scrutiny
With little movement over the past three years, a significant number of L&D budgets have experienced sustained belt tightening. And again, this year investment in learning has only grown in less than a third of organisations. Exactly in line with our 2024 results, 61% of L&D teams saw their budget decrease or stay the same.
AI – The Drivers and Impact
The impact of AI on L&D teams has reached a new and significant high.
AI in L&D has become mainstream. Whilst we might argue about AI’s true effectiveness or the strength of its grip on learning operations and the overall learning experience, it would be fair to say that the impact of AI on L&D is now pervasive. Only 6% say AI isn’t having an impact on their L&D team, and over half say it is having at least a moderate impact on corporate learning today.
AI – Adoption and Resourcing
AI-powered Learning Systems start to take the lead in L&D’s ‘live’ AI adoption.
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.
AI – Future Role and Skills
Most L&D teams are not ready to face the future with confidence.
Around half of all L&D teams do not believe they are adequately skilled to succeed in the next two to three years. Only a third feel their skills are up to scratch. At a time of tumult and innovation L&D teams need to invest in the advice and expertise that enables them to be fit for the future and thrive.
Delivering Effective LX
Most L&D professionals don’t think their learning systems are fit for the modern workforce.
As we highlighted in 2024, a stubborn majority of learning technology buyers continue to be underwhelmed by their learning platforms. When asked if their learning platforms are fit for the modern workforce, less than four in ten agreed.
Ecosystem Trends
Best of breed Learning Systems dominate a stagnant learning technology landscape.
The investment of Cloud HR providers over the past decade doesn’t seem to have made a significant impact on organisations’ learning platform ecosystem. Only 12% of organisations are using the learning module in their HR or HCM solution.
As the world continues to accelerate change, the picture from this year’s Digital Learning Realities research shows just how challenging this year has been for L&D teams. Spend is static at best, headcount is under pressure, and resources are stretched. Innovations in content development, the pivotal nature of people insights in defining next gen learning, the skills transformation agenda, the need to scale and optimise learning teams and evidence learning value are all creating a perfect storm.
“But it’s a tempest which only one in three thinks they are skilled enough to navigate. It’s going to be a hairy ride. Equally, it’s not a time to question the role of learning teams. The plain truth is, their role is secure if they can bridge the skills gaps they’ve identified and we’ve captured in our report.
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