Learning teams must become business enablers as AI reshapes expectations
Digital Learning Realities research finds learning systems struggling to keep pace as L&D shifts from content delivery to business capability.
Learning and development teams need to rethink both their technology and their role in the business as AI changes expectations of workplace learning, according to David Perring, Chief Insights Officer at Fosway Group.
In the final interview in Learning News' three-part series on Fosway's 2026 Digital Learning Realities research, Perring said organisations expect learning to support skills, performance, business transformation and workflow, demands that many existing learning systems were never built to meet.
For the first time since Fosway began tracking the measure, around half of organisations believe their current learning system is not fit for the modern workforce. Satisfaction is lowest among organisations relying primarily on HR suite learning modules, while dedicated learning management systems perform more strongly. Expectations around AI are also outpacing current technology, with 73% saying their systems fall below expectations for AI capabilities.
Perring said organisations increasingly expect learning platforms to support skills, analytics, workflow learning, coaching and performance support rather than simply deliver courses. Those expectations have accelerated faster than many platforms have evolved.
The research also challenges assumptions that AI-generated content and short-form learning can replace structured development. While on-demand information has an important role, Perring argued that building capability still requires longer-term learning experiences incorporating practice, feedback, coaching and assessment.
'Just by reading it doesn't make you a great practitioner,' he said, arguing that organisations continue to need blended learning programmes to develop competence and support business performance.
Skills strategy remains another persistent challenge. Although skills sits near the top of business and learning priorities, many organisations continue to struggle because responsibility is spread across HR, talent acquisition, business functions and L&D. Skills frameworks also require increasing levels of detail as AI changes jobs and organisations seek more precise evidence of workforce capability.
Looking ahead, Perring said learning leaders should spend less time thinking about learning delivery and more time strengthening their influence across the business. That means aligning with transformation programmes, building stronger relationships with business stakeholders and using data to demonstrate learning's contribution to organisational performance.
The interview concludes Learning News' three-part series examining Fosway's 2026 Digital Learning Realities research, covering changing learning priorities, AI adoption and the future direction of workplace learning.
Programme links
Digital Learning Realities 2026 infographics
The Digital Learning Realities research is produced in association with Learning Technologies.