Make better learning systems decisions – the 9-Grid for Learning Systems is out
2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems sees a learning technology landscape showing both expectation and pragmatism as AI starts to dominate
London, February 2026: Fosway Group, Europe’s #1 HR industry analyst, has released its 2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems. The research shows that the overall learning system market is growing but economic uncertainties and complexity remain, with vendors balancing the need for financial efficiency and the need to innovate their solutions, especially to invest in AI. The mid-enterprise market remains highly competitive, and whilst smaller buyers have been driving growth for some time, there is change happening in the large enterprise market too.
Revealing the market and solution trends in the learning systems market, the 2026 9-Grid™ report shows that whilst skills is still the top priority for most buyers, AI is now coming a close second. And whilst learning experience continues to be a key driver for system change, the LXP has finally died as a standalone category. Frontline workers continue to be a priority and an underserved audience, as does high value cohort-based learning, with the research noting that “given the challenges posed to learning by AI, paradoxically, cohort-based learning [sic] may be one of the few areas least susceptible to full AI substitution”.
The 2026 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems incorporates both Learning System Suites and Specialists. Suites are platforms that support a broad range of traditional and next generation learning approaches. Specialists focus on specific areas of capability with a disruptive high impact agenda.
Fiona Leteney, Senior Analyst at Fosway Group, commented, "It’s official: The LXP as a standalone category of learning system is finally behind us. Organisations still care deeply about the learning experience, but what used to be differentiators like personalised recommendations, intuitive UX, seamless content access, are now baseline expectations for every modern learning system. AI is accelerating this shift, and even potentially transforming the traditional ‘Netflix style’ front door of learning into adaptive, conversational experiences where AI coaches and tutors guide learners in real time."
“Despite the economic climate in Europe, the 2026 9-Grid™ shows a learning system market that is highly competitive and still growing and rapidly investing in AI innovation.” Said David Wilson, CEO of Fosway Group. “Delivered AI reality still lags market hype, but we are seeing big changes year on year, although corporate adoption is still patchy. The fastest growing segment is smaller enterprise, but competition is fierce in the mid-enterprise space, and new uncertainties at large enterprise level are also reigniting the market there too.”
This year’s 9-Grid™ sees the addition of a few new vendors including Atrivity - a Spanish adaptive specialist using gamification in life sciences, retail and tech industries, Blossom KC - a modular learning platform headquartered in Israel, as well as LumApps and Skillwell, rebranded from Teach on Mars and RealizeIt respectively.
The full 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems report can be downloaded online on Thursday 26 February 2026.
Fosway’s CEO, David Wilson, and senior analyst, Fiona Leteney, will take questions on the research in a live online ‘Ask the Analyst’ session on 19 March 2026 at 3pm GMT. Register for your free place here.