It’s becoming clear that the future of learning will be shaped by emerging technologies, which is why we sat down with our VP of Engineering, Trey Reynolds, to make some predictions for the coming year. In addition to the unique perspective of a leader in learning technology, we also analyzed insights from over 30,000 AI-powered learner conversations to create a report for L&D professionals. This post distills our findings into five impactful takeaways that will help L&D teams focus on what truly matters in the year ahead.

1. L&D Roles Will Not Become Obsolete

The core prediction is clear: L&D roles will not become obsolete. Instead of supplanting learning professionals, AI will augment their work, handling tedious tasks and freeing up human experts to focus on more strategic initiatives.

2. An AI Mindset Will Have More Longevity Than Static AI Skills

The impulse to develop "AI skills" training programs is understandable, but it's ultimately a losing battle. The technology is evolving so rapidly that specific, static skills like prompt engineering are nearly obsolete by the time a curriculum is built. The goal is not to create a workforce of AI technicians but to spark "ignition points" for innovation, empowering individuals to see AI as a personal productivity partner. This shift is critical for building an agile workforce that can adapt to technological change rather than constantly chasing it.

3. The Best Learning Will Retain Essential Human Touchpoints

In a world increasingly saturated with automated interactions, the best learning experiences will be those that retain essential human touchpoints. Leveraging AI to develop, scale, and analyze learning is smart, but preserving the human touchpoints is what will make it truly impactful, especially when AI is strategically integrated to enhance social learning, blending the scalability of technology with the proven power of peer-to-peer interaction.

4. AI-Powered Translation Will Make Global Deployment of Learning a Breeze

One of the most powerful and tangible examples of AI augmentation is happening in translation. Abilitie is using an AI-powered translation engine that allows learners to work in their native language and collaborate globally, creating more authentic human interactions across cultural barriers. The potential for small L&D teams to build and deliver global programs has never been greater.

5. Unlocking the Power of Middle Leaders Can be Your Key To Performance and Agility

Moving beyond learning technology, our final prediction addresses an often overlooked learner group: middle managers. These leaders bridge the significant distance between the strategic vision of the executive team and the teams on the ground. This stretched middle is where culture is built, strategy is disseminated, and priorities aligned, but these leaders rarely get the support they need to positively impact the teams and functions they’re responsible for. Focusing on this group in 2026 could be your biggest impact lever, especially if culture and cross-functional alignment are among your most pressing priorities.

Conclusion: What Work Will You Choose?

AI is not a replacement for human ingenuity but a tool to augment it. Its true power is unlocked when we use it to automate the mundane, scale our reach, and free ourselves up for more meaningful work. By embracing an AI mindset, championing social learning, and retaining essential human touchpoints, L&D leaders can build the agility and confidence their workforce needs to compete in the global arena. The technology is here to handle the work that doesn't matter, so we can finally focus on the work that does.

View the full report to learn where you can have the most impact through your AI adoption and learning programs in 2026.