L&D caught between leadership mandates and learner autonomy in AI era
New research finds AI adoption in learning widespread but ownership and strategy unclear.
A new global study highlights how learning and development teams are caught between executive-driven mandates and learner-led experimentation as organisations race to integrate artificial intelligence into workplace learning.
Based on a survey of more than 2,000 L&D professionals and employees, the report Keeping Pace: Leading Learning in the Age of AI, published by digital learning provider Go1, finds that while AI adoption is now widespread, clarity on who owns and governs it remains elusive. Only 23% of respondents say AI ownership in learning is ‘very clear’, and just half of employees report that leadership has communicated an AI strategy.
The findings show that 82% of organisations are using AI in learning, yet more than half say less than 30% of their content is AI-powered. Nearly 70% of L&D professionals see upskilling as the area where AI can deliver the greatest value, while three-quarters of learners (74%) believe AI-personalised learning is as effective or more effective than human-designed experiences.
The research highlights a growing divide between leadership intent and learner behaviour. Executives seek alignment and consistency, while employees use AI to personalise and accelerate their own learning. Only 14% of professionals describe themselves as advanced AI users, suggesting broad but shallow adoption.
The study concludes that L&D sits at the crossroads of executive vision and learner autonomy, uniquely positioned to translate strategy into scalable, learner-centred frameworks that support ethical and effective AI adoption.
Key findings
- 2,000+ L&D professionals and employees surveyed
- Only 23% say AI ownership in learning is “very clear”
- 50% report that leadership has not communicated an AI strategy
- 82% of organisations use AI in learning, but most have under 30% of content AI-powered
- 74% of learners say AI-personalised learning is as effective or more effective than human-designed experiences
- Only 14% of professionals consider themselves advanced AI users