The state of AI in learning systems

Published in February 2026, the Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems looks at the learning management solutions market for EMEA’s learning leaders – here, analysts look at the state of AI in learning systems.

AI continues to be one of the most hyped trends in learning systems, yet the vendor reality remains rather patchy and uneven. Vendors frequently position themselves as ‘native AI platforms’ capable of transforming learning, but there is a chasm between marketing claims and what is live with customers, let alone what customers are actually using. In some regions and industries, the most requested AI feature is simply the ability to switch AI off, reflecting a residual level of caution still among many corporate buyers. A common set of use cases for Generative AI relates to AI content creation, translation, and localisation. L&D teams are finding these capabilities genuinely useful, particularly for reducing repetitive tasks and speeding up course development.

Other areas for AI are sometimes a harder sell, even if the value could be high. For example, using AI to reduce days of learning administration work down to minutes can provoke anxiety in learning staff with concerns about job displacement. A further challenge is AI user experience: Most AI assistants look and behave similarly, with limited differentiation and often uninspiring interfaces. Although the technology is maturing quickly, the gap between promise and practical, day-to-day usage remains substantial. Vendors and buyers alike need to manage expectations, focus on meaningful use cases, and prioritise both utility and experience if AI is to deliver real value. Fosway’s AI Market Assessment for Learning Systems is tracking these developments closely, and the 2026 research will be announced shortly.

Convergence of learning systems, authoring and content

Learning system vendors continue to extend their footprint beyond core platform capability, with content creation and provision becoming an increasingly strategic priority. Authoring is now widely seen as a baseline expectation and learning systems are snapping up authoring tools through acquisition or embedding authoring capability directly into their suites. Those that missed out on the ‘buy’ are building their own tools internally.

New first-time buyers expect to be able to populate their learning system quickly and cheaply – including having a means of creating and adapting their own learning content, not simply delivering it. This is reshaping adjacent markets. Content library providers are being forced to strengthen their own system capabilities, now positioning themselves as platform providers rather than pure content houses. Many recognise that the long-term defensibility of a standalone content catalogue is diminishing, particularly as AI accelerates content generation and personalisation. Some learning system vendors are using AI to rapidly generate proprietary content libraries too. This enables them to undercut traditional content providers and reduce reliance on third-party catalogues. The boundaries have blurred.

This is an excerpt from the 2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems. Get the full insight and discover all the latest market and solution trends by reading the whole report here.

What should you do next?

• The Learning Systems AI Insights 2026 Market Assessment provides buyers with a clear analysis of the AI innovation in the Learning Systems market – read our latest critical research here.
• Digital Learning Realities 2026 – share your experience of digital learning, get first look access to the results, and benchmark your progress.

Other recommended reading

• Build your AI strategy with evidence, not guesswork. All our published research so far is here >> Fosway AI Strategic Research Programme

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