By Megan Torrance and Lauren Milstid
The gap between what’s trending at industry conferences and what’s actually being used at work is wider than ever.
While event agendas are packed with AI showcases, immersive reality, and buzzword-rich innovation sessions, we wanted to find out whether the day-to-day reality inside L&D teams is actually different. So, we asked 556 learning professionals what they’re really using and how long they’ve been using it.
What we found is both grounding and revealing. Beneath the hype is a practical, steady adoption curve, a few late bloomers finally having their moment, and, yes, some shiny new technologies.
What we did (& how it’s different)
Between February and March 2025, we surveyed 502 L&D professionals and 54 learning technology providers, covering 43 technologies. But here’s the twist: We didn’t ask what people plan to do or hope to implement. We asked what their organizations are actually using—and for how long. Then, by separating out provider responses from L&D practitioners, we zeroed in on what’s really happening inside organizations, not just what’s being pitched.
The 4 tiers of adoption
To make sense of the data, we grouped technologies into four categories based on actual adoption rates:
- Mainstream (80%+ adoption): These are the tools that nearly every organization is already using. They’re foundational to most learning ecosystems and have proven their long-term value.
- Common (50–80% adoption): These tools are quite common across the field. They’re familiar but not universal.
- Selective (20–50% adoption): These tools are adopted by organizations based on specific needs, budgets, or strategic priorities.
- Niche (<20% adoption): These tools have limited adoption but may serve specialized needs.
‘Tried & true’ technologies still going strong
Six technologies stood out with near-universal adoption. You won’t find anything flashy here—just dependable tools doing dependable work. Among the most prevalent tools are:
- Learning Management Systems (LMSs)
- SCORM-based eLearning
- Live polling and quizzing tools
They’re not the newest thing, but they solve everyday problems. And that’s what drives adoption. In fact, the more practical the use case, the more likely a tool is already in place.
The ‘late bloomers’ are having a moment
Some of the fastest-growing tools aren’t new. They’re just finally catching on. After years of hovering in the background, these technologies are gaining real traction. Tools showing growing adoption (more than 20% report adopting them in the last five years) include:
- Generative AI for content development
- Screen readers and accessibility solutions
- Microlearning solutions
Some of these tools have been available for a while. What changed? Awareness, priorities, and infrastructure finally aligned. Adoption doesn’t happen when the technology is ready. It happens when organizations are ready to implement it.
Not everything gaining momentum is brand new, but many tools are clearly on the move. At least 20% of L&D professionals told us that their organizations plan to adopt some technologies that are either built on AI or have become significantly more scalable because of it, such as adaptive learning systems and automated content curation.
But it’s not all about AI. Several other tools—while not inherently AI-based—are also seeing renewed interest and may already benefit from AI enhancements. In this category, we saw technologies like digital badging and microlearning solutions.
What’s motivating technology decisions?
As organizations consider which tools to adopt next, it’s helpful to understand what’s actually driving their decisions.
When it comes to adopting new technology, L&D professionals told us they are driven by learner impact, not just cost savings. Their top motivations for adopting new learning technology include:
- Increasing learner engagement
- Improving performance
- Delivering personalized experiences
Operational benefits like budget savings and better reporting still matter, but they’re secondary. It’s a good reminder that technology adoption is most successful when it starts with the learner.
The usual suspects are still in the way
The biggest blockers to technology adoption remain stubbornly familiar. When we asked both L&D and their vendor providers, they pointed to the same top barriers to adoption:
- Limited budgets
- Time constraints and competing priorities
- Lack of leadership buy-in
A bit farther down on the list of concerns, L&D teams often cite privacy and security concerns as barriers to adoption. Technology providers, meanwhile, feel more pressure to demonstrate a clear return on investment.
What this means for your technology strategy
Whether your organization is just getting started, ready to experiment, or already running a mature learning ecosystem, this report offers practical guidance on where to focus next.
Download the complete Workplace Learning Technologies Adoption report to explore:
- Detailed adoption data across all 43 technologies
- Side-by-side views from L&D professionals and technology providers
- Strategic takeaways to shape your learning technology investment decisions
Explore technology adoption strategies at the Learning Leadership Conference
If you’re eager to explore future-ready technologies further, join Megan Torrance at the “Learning Guild Research” session on Oct. 2 at the Learning Leadership Conference, and the full-day add-on event, Pillars of Learning: Technology, on September 30!
The Learning Leadership Conference is at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, October 1—3. Register today!
