This paper outlines the emerging theories which underlay the incorporation of innovation into substantially different conceptualizations of education – into learning societies. School represents only a part of the total learning that must take place during a lifetime. Workplaces, for many, will become places of learning. Thus, education will need to focus on learning-to-learn skills. As social and industrial problems become more complex, learning to innovate within a collaborative environment will become an important skill. Incorporating innovation within education demonstrates how it changes the entire nature of how education is structured, produced, and even defined. This transformation is far from happenstance. This paper outlines the framework of an emerging global learning system which is defined by learning linkages and moves away from infrastructure and institutions. The paper describes four major shifts that underlie the dynamic links of education and economy: movement from an economic-driven system to one of dynamic learning; movement from education as “capital” to learning as innovation and exploration; movement from industrial production to human development; and, movement from schools to lifelong learning societies.