Explore the possibilities of agent learning with a pioneer in e-learning
Dr. Allen Partridge is the director of Adobe’s Digital Learning Evangelion, and was praised for his dynamic public speaking and insightful writing on immersive learning, gamification and AI-enhanced education. His PhD in interdisciplinary studies uniquely integrates art, music, theater, philosophy and computer science, reflecting the rare intersection of creativity, technology flow and deep critical thinking. Dr. Partridge’s rich academic and professional journey is fully positioned in the connection between expertise and AI technology, embodying the popular unicorn skill set essential to drive innovation and effective collaboration in today’s evolving knowledge workforce. Today he talks with us about content creation and curation, the role of AI in agent learning, and what new technical functional organizations should look for in the next LMS.
Based on your experience, can L&D teams use AI to promote efficiency at every stage of creation, curation and delivery?
AI’s biggest strength in today’s L&D is not just as a destroyer, but as an accelerator. Instead of maintaining established workflows, AI can enhance them by speeding up content creation, reducing search and discovery, optimizing delivery across learner groups. One of the Global Enterprises used Adobe Learning Manager AI recommendations to train over 36,000 staff with 20% less admin overhead, without changing their core strategy. Personalizing delivery via AI provides alternative scaled authentication across over 900 locations, increasing reach while reducing operational friction. Below is OPS Labs, a virtual healthcare company that sells health informatics solutions to specialist physicians. AI recommendations can help you recommend a course based on areas of interest, and of course popularity.
This kind of reinforcement can touch every stage of the learning cycle. AI can dynamically build learning paths based on user behavior, and support data-driven insights to support administrators, and build learning paths. The result is faster delivery, more relevant learning, and better decisions without reinventing the wheel.
Can you share a little more about learning agents and how to help organizations increase productivity and empower L&D pros?
Agent learning refers to a new AI model in which autonomous agents act on behalf of learners and coordinate their experiences in real time based on goals, actions, and context. This is a transition from a static learning journey to something more dynamic and responsive. Imagine a forest of small professional assistants. Surface timely resources and fine-tune other users towards mastery.
For many, the possibilities are persuasive while still on the horizon. These agents may reduce the need for certain manual curation and provide learners with more autonomy. Both help the L&D team grow without sacrificing relevance. Early investigations of this concept have been seen in adaptive recommendations and role-aware learning paths, and platforms like Adobe Learning Manager have evolved to support this kind of intelligent, learner-centric experience.
One feature deployed in the beta version is the admin AI assistant, which improves the self-service experience for L&D admins. The AI-powered assistant is designed to provide instant, accurate responses to common queries and troubleshoot platform issues without referring to long documentation or dependencies on the support team.
What is the success story of an outstanding client that emphasizes the power of AI-human collaboration?
Two examples come to mind. It’s a very different organization, but it emphasizes how AI can expand human capabilities no matter how it is.
Operating through a vast franchise model, global airlines were needed to train tens of thousands of staff in dispersed regions. Their L&D team used Adobe Learning Manager to integrate AI-powered content recommendations into the platform, bringing the most relevant material for each learner based on role, activity and geography. The strategy was still human-driven. Educational designers set goals and selected resources. However, AI helped route that content more intelligently, reducing administrative overhead by 20% while increasing network-wide engagement.
In the healthcare sector, major prosthetic manufacturers faced the challenge of educating both large clinicians and patients. By integrating multiple platforms into Adobe Learning Manager, we were able to provide a personalized authentication pathway with AI. Content was matched to each learner’s role and needs. With human surveillance program design, AI has played a supporting role. We have tweaked searches, customized delivery, and have emerged the right learning at the right time in over 900 clinics.
In both cases, the story wasn’t about replacing people, it was about empowering them. AI helped human experts to expand reach, speed up delivery and scale, and speed up speed, while allowing them to focus on quality, context and care.
When looking for a new learning management system, what are the AI-centric features that organizations should have on their must-have list? How can these features personalize learning and increase engagement?
While chasing the AI feature checklist is fascinating, the real opportunity lies in how AI is embedded not only in one tool or workflow, but also in the entire learning experience. The best LMS platforms do not bolt AI to the sides. They use it to accelerate content creation, personalize learning paths, support skills growth, and streamline operations.
Organizations need to look for solutions that will smoothen the transition from recruitment to onboarding. AI can help learners identify skill gaps, plan careers, and track progress with minimal friction. Tools such as headless delivery and open APIs enable deep branded experiences while supporting seamless integration with enterprise systems.
AI-enhanced search and recommendations help to surface relevant content, while conversation tools (such as AI buddies and coaches) provide support that is sensitive to microlearning moments and contexts. Peer-based recommendations, updated catalogs, and dynamic learning paths help to maintain relevance over time.
Let’s use OPS Labs, the same hypothetical healthcare customer. They implemented AI-driven searches for doctors. As shown in the image below, when a user enters “Health Informatics Foundation,” the system understands the term “health informatics” as a more important keyword, including the basics or basics of “health information.”
Engagement is further driven by gamification, social awareness and user-generated content, creating an interactive learning culture. Additionally, for administrators, integration with HRMS, performance systems, and powerful data visualization tools allows real-time insights into applications and business impact.
Ultimately, the value of AI in LMS is not that novel. It’s about how quietly and effectively they support people at every turn, from learners to L&D leaders.
How do you think the role of generator AI in learning will expand or evolve over the next few years?
In the near future, generative AI not only helps create content, but also keeps it and evolves it, becoming a kind of co-author and silent editor-in-residence. Imagine an AI that knows all the courses that have been launched so far. Review old materials and quietly propose updates based on new skills frameworks, changes in business strategies, and even news speeds. Your learning library remains current without you lifting your fingers.
We also participate in more active learning agents’ cusp, including tools to monitor context (calendar, headlines, product recalls) and Surface Just-Time training before important meetings. Combine it with the forest of intelligent assistants embedded in your ecosystem, L&D moves from reactive to prediction.
Over time, generative AI evolves into a reflective design partner. This helps learners grow, designers stay sharp, and organisations build ecosystems that are as vibrant and adaptable as the people they serve.
I’ll summarize
Dr. Allen Partridge is grateful for shedding more light on the potential of Agent AI in learning and how a proper LMS can change the L&D experience. If you’d like to learn more about Adobe’s AI features, check out our ultimate list of features.
