Adobe and LinkedIn launched AI Essentials for Marketers on June 19, 2026, a global learning initiative to close the AI skills gap in marketing. The free programme arrives as LinkedIn data shows job postings requiring AI literacy jumped 113% year-on-year, making AI the top priority skill area for marketers.
The initiative offers short-form, social-first courses designed for professionals at all career stages, particularly those unable to commit to extended learning sessions. It includes four role-based courses covering digital marketing, content and creative, social and communications, and data and analytics, available in 47 languages. Certificates of completion can be added to users' LinkedIn profiles.
Courses designed by marketers, for marketers
Created by marketers for marketers, the programme builds on Adobe Digital Academy and LinkedIn Learning and will be available free of charge on LinkedIn Learning, with additional content hosted on Adobe Experience League. The programme addresses the shift as agentic AI is changing marketing workflows.
"Marketers everywhere are eager to embrace AI but need the right skills to do it with confidence," said Rachel Thornton, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise at Adobe. "AI Essentials for Marketers is about more than mastering new tools; it's about reimagining what creativity, marketing strategy, and customer relationships look like in an AI-powered era."
Thornton added that the partnership gives marketers access to hundreds of hours of content, training, videos and expertise from a global community of marketers and technologists. "Training and re-skilling are top of mind for CMOs, and at Adobe we are excited to partner with LinkedIn to make it easier and faster for teams to learn and train on what's next for marketing, creativity and AI." For CMOs, dedicated resources like the AI Learning Path for CMOs can help leadership teams build the necessary skills.
Why this matters for people with a Marketing job
The 113% increase in AI-related job postings signals that AI literacy is no longer optional for marketers. LinkedIn's Chief Marketing Officer, Jessica Jensen, said, "Marketers are navigating the shift to AI, and it is both daunting and exciting. Together with Adobe, we're helping make AI skills accessible to every marketer - not just technical specialists - through scalable, practical learning designed for the realities of modern work."
Marketers can also explore broader AI for Marketing courses to build foundational skills. The initiative highlights a growing industry focus on practical, role-specific AI training that fits into busy schedules.
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