It’s one thing to use a tool; it’s another thing entirely to feel like you actually know what you’re doing with it. We’ve all been there, clicking around a new piece of software, hoping we don’t break anything. In the world of Learning and Development (L&D), that’s the current vibe. A new industry report has just put some hard numbers behind what many of us have been feeling for a while. It turns out that while almost everyone is using AI, very few feel they have the skills to back it up.
According to Synthesia’s AI in Learning & Development Report 2026, which surveyed 421 professionals globally, a massive 67% of L&D pros want AI skills and design training that they currently lack. For those of us in the affiliate marketing world, especially if you’re promoting courses or upskilling platforms, this isn’t just a statistic. It’s a massive, wide-open door.
This surge in demand for high-level training proves that as regulations tighten and industries mature, “winging it” is no longer a viable strategy. We are seeing this same pattern across other sectors, where a lack of compliance knowledge can lead to sudden setbacks. For instance, many in the crypto space are currently asking if their commissions are at risk due to new, stricter enforcement on region-specific marketing rules.
The Reality of Adoption Versus Competence
The data shows we’ve moved past the “is this a fad?” phase. Last year, about 20% of L&D professionals weren’t touching AI at all. Now? That’s dropped to 13%. Only a tiny 2% say they have no plans to use it. In fact, 87% of respondents are already using it in their daily work.
But here is the catch.
Even though people are using it, they aren’t exactly masters of it. Only 9% of teams are actually scaling AI across their entire organization. Even fewer—just 6%—say they have an “AI-first mindset.” As Dr. Philippa Hardman, a learning science expert, points out in the report, maturity isn’t uniform. You have a few people sprinting ahead while everyone else is still trying to find their shoes.
This creates a gap where professionals are no longer skeptics but have not yet become experts. They’re stuck in the middle. And what do people do when they feel stuck? They look for a bridge. That’s where you come in with the right educational offers.
What are they actually looking for?
If you’re going to promote something, you need to know what the market is actually hungry for. The report is pretty specific here. It isn’t just about “how to use a chatbot.”
- Design and Strategy: 67% want to know how to integrate AI into instructional design. They want to know how to build actual learning experiences, not just generate a quick email.
- Workflow Guidance: 63% are scratching their heads over where AI fits in their daily process. When does the human check the work? How do you keep the quality up?
- Measuring Impact: This is a big one. Another 63% need help proving that AI actually provides value. They’re under pressure to show results, not just speed.
- The Technical Stuff: 50% need help with integration, and 44% are worried about how to use AI responsibly.
Does that sound like a group of people who would benefit from a high-quality certification or a deep-dive masterclass? Absolutely.
Navigating the Roadblocks
It isn’t all smooth sailing, though. There are some serious blockers keeping these professionals up at night. Security is the big one, bothering 58% of respondents. Then you’ve got accuracy worries at 52% and legal constraints at 41%.
This data suggests that generic “Intro to AI” courses might not be the best thing to promote right now. Instead, look for programs that tackle these specific fears. Courses that cover AI governance, data security, or how to verify AI-generated facts are likely to convert much better because they solve the actual problems people are facing.
The Tools and the Future of the Tech Stack
If you’re doing reviews or tutorials, you should probably know where the eyes are. ChatGPT is the king at 74% usage, followed by Microsoft Copilot (54%) and Gemini (38%). But don’t sleep on things like NotebookLM, Claude, or Perplexity. They’re gaining ground.
The report also hints at a massive shift in how we think about learning platforms. Only 47% of people think the traditional Learning Management System (LMS) will remain the backbone of their work in three years. Everything is up in the air. Will AI live in the LMS? In Microsoft 365? As a standalone “agent”?
We also see the rise of “agentic AI”—tools that don’t just write text but actually take action. People are interested in AI tutors and automated coaching, but they’re cautious. They need someone to explain it to them.
This is the Opportunity
The overall tone of the L&D world is surprisingly optimistic. 66% think AI will make their roles more influential. They want to evolve; they just need the map.
As an affiliate, you’re not just selling a link. You’re providing that map. Whether it’s a course on measuring AI’s ROI or a deep dive into video generation tools, there is a documented, quantified hunger for this knowledge. The divide between those who just use AI to go faster and those who use it to build smarter ecosystems is growing. Helping people get on the right side of that divide is a pretty good place to be.
What do you think? Are L&D professionals in your network feeling the same “competence gap” mentioned in the report? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
If you found this breakdown helpful, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for more insights into the latest affiliate trends and industry reports.
Sources
- www.synthesia.io/post/ai-in-learning-and-development-report
- www.affiversemedia.com/new-report-reveals-67-of-ld-professionals-want-ai-skills-they-dont-have-a-significant-opportunity-for-education-affiliates/
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