To help you set the course for this year, we caught up with influential voices in the learning and development space at DevLearn 2025 to find out which learning and development trends are worth your time in 2026. We asked each of our DevLearn influencers the question, “What’s one trend in learning and development that’s capturing your attention right now?” and these are the common themes that emerged.
AI is moving from talk to action
It is no surprise that AI dominates the conversation, but the focus has moved beyond curiosity to capability. With more AI literacy, learning professionals are taking experimenting with new technology to the next level by exploring how AI can actively improve learner performance and business outcomes.
One shift influencers talked about was action-first learning and how AI enables learning in the flow of work. Some particularly noted how they’re using AI to allow learners to try, make mistakes, and learn at the moment of need rather than relying on formal courses taken long before the knowledge is required. It’s also expanding how learning and development operates, moving teams beyond content creation into problem-solving and connecting systems. Increasingly, AI is being used to automate backend processes, streamline content creation, and act as a strategic partner in learning programs.
Don’t forget about human intelligence
Even with AI at the center of many conversations, it is important to keep humans at the core of learning. Technology should enhance human intelligence, not replace it.
As AI becomes more integrated into learning, centering on the human experience ensures learning remains ethical, meaningful, and effective. The future of learning and performance improvement lies in balancing technology with deeply human skills.
Data provides the foundation for impact
While new tools and innovations are exciting, data remains essential. Without it, learning teams risk creating more content without understanding its effectiveness.
Data guides decisions, demonstrates impact, and helps learning professionals avoid repeating efforts that don’t move the needle. It creates a shift from “shiny objects” to strategies grounded in evidence and measurable outcomes.
Accessibility is a core design principle
Accessibility is no longer an afterthought, it’s an expectation. There is a need to design learning experiences that work for all learners, from the language we use to the tools and platforms we choose.
This includes offering multiple ways to engage with content, such as captions, transcripts, adjustable visuals, and alternative formats. Designing with accessibility in mind not only supports learners with different needs, but ultimately creates clearer, more effective learning experiences for everyone.
Together, these trends show that the future of our field is moving toward using new tools thoughtfully to solve real problems and make a real impact. Stay tuned as we continue to share more insights from our conversations with our 2025 DevLearn influencers.
