Nearly half of workplace learning and development professionals believe artificial intelligence could entirely replace their roles, according to a new report that highlights the profession’s uncertainty about its future.
The survey of 600 learning and development leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand found that 43 per cent expect AI could eliminate their positions entirely, with another 40 per cent anticipating some job changes due to AI adoption, according to Dublin-based learning management system provider LearnUpon.
Only three per cent of respondents expected AI to cause no changes to their positions. Retail, education, software and technology sectors feel this threat most acutely, the report found.
Employee well-being still drives current programs
Despite AI fears, employee well-being and mental health emerged as the most significant factor currently shaping workplace learning programs. The research found that 44 per cent of respondents identified employee well-being as the top driver of their programs, followed by AI-powered learning at 42 per cent and microlearning formats at 42 per cent.
“Today, L&D leaders are being asked to do much more than just onboard new hires or fill knowledge gaps,” said Brendan Noud, CEO and co-founder of LearnUpon. “Effective learning programs are now an opportunity to reshape the employee experience, drive performance, and create a greater sense of stability across the business.”
Budgets increase despite economic pressures
Learning and development budgets continue growing despite broader economic challenges and job security concerns. The report found that 84 per cent of Australia and New Zealand respondents reported budget increases in 2025, followed by 70 per cent in the U.K. and 66 per cent in the U.S.
Strategic priorities shift toward business alignment
The top trends for 2025 include integrating learning programs with overall business strategy, cited by 36 per cent of respondents, according to the report. The rise of learning ecosystems and data-driven decision-making each ranked second at 34 per cent.
More than nine in 10 learning leaders said they measure program impact effectively, with 44 per cent feeling very confident in their approach, LearnUpon reported. While many teams still monitor completion rates and learner satisfaction, 34 per cent now prioritize skill development and knowledge retention metrics.
Skills gaps reflect AI anxiety
Learning leaders identified data analytics and reporting as the most critical skill for the year ahead, cited by 56 per cent of respondents. AI and machine learning expertise ranked second at 53 per cent, followed by change management and leadership at 52 per cent.
Talent acquisition and retention remains the top challenge for 32 per cent of teams, according to the survey. Keeping pace with change, particularly around AI, affects 31 per cent of respondents, while 30 per cent struggle with aligning learning programs to business strategy.
The research was conducted by Censuswide in April 2025 among learning and development leaders and practitioners across four countries.
