The Future of Digital Learning: What’s Coming in 2027 (and How to Prepare)

AI is changing the role of the learning designer far beyond simply generating content.

In our upcoming exclusive webinar on November 11 with experts Luke Hobson and John Kilroy, we’ll explore how generative AI is being used to design, develop and evaluate online learning in new and practical ways. From branching scenarios and adaptive activities to formative feedback, interactive learning experiences and AI-powered simulations, you’ll see examples of what learning designers can now create without extensive development resources.

We’ll also look at how AI tools can support research and evaluation, including analyzing learner feedback, identifying patterns in course evaluation data and reviewing learning experiences against design standards.

Along the way, we’ll consider the opportunities and limitations of these emerging approaches, the importance of human review, and what recent research tells us about how instructional designers are actually adopting AI in their work.

• How AI is moving beyond content generation into learning design and evaluation

• Practical examples including branching scenarios, adaptive activities, formative feedback and AI-powered simulations

• Using AI to analyse learner feedback and course evaluation data

• How AI can support quality assurance and course design reviews

• What learning designers can realistically build without large development teams

• The role of human judgement and review when working with AI

• Emerging research on how instructional designers are adopting AI

John Kilroy is the Founder of the Digital Learning Institute and a leader in digital education, with over two decades of experience in driving innovation in online learning. Specializing in learning design, technology, and management, John has been instrumental in shaping the future of digital education through his work with global organizations. His focus is on creating engaging and impactful learning experiences that leverage the latest tools and technologies. As an advocate for digital transformation, John continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in education.

Dr. Luke Hobson is the Assistant Director of nstructional Design for MIT xPRO and a Lecturer for the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He's also the author of What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer and the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson podcast and YouTube channel. He was named one of the top learning influencers in 2022 by Eduflow and one of the top e-learning experts in 2026 by iSpring. His podcast was named the best instructional design podcast in 2025 by Feedspot and one of the best L&D podcasts to follow in 2026 by iSpring. In 2026, he was awarded the University of Miami's SEHD’s Dr. Eveleen Lorton Dean’s Teaching Award for Outstanding Adjunct Professor.