Five Essential Workforce Trends for 2026

The Business Case for Humans in the AI Era

Inside this report you’ll find research-backed insights along with specific action plans for CHROs to build resiliency and agility in their organizations amidst a rapidly changing economic reality and the widespread workforce anxiety surrounding AI.

Read the Report

At a Glance

Trends 2026

There are five future-facing trends that C-Suite leaders need to know as they prepare for the next year and beyond.

Trend #1

The Manager Experience Will Be the New Employee Experience

When managers have access to workforce data and meaningful metrics, magic happens. Empowering managers with the tools they need is the first step in creating meaningful change for your organization.

Trend #2

AI Will Be First Mate, Not Captain

CHROs are best positioned to promote AI as a tool for augmenting human capabilities. By guiding AI adoption and freeing HR teams for strategic work they can speed up final decision-making by humans, not computers.

Trend #3

Workforce Planning Will Shift From Hobby to Critical Capability

CHROs are expected to anticipate future skill demands for new AI-driven jobs. Strategic workforce planning can help close the skill gaps.

Trend #4

GenAI Will Finally Make People Analytics Easy for Everyone

Self-service analytics and real-time data validation not only improve decision making but can help foster a data driven culture.

Trend #5

The HR Solution Stack Will Be Under Pressure

CHROs are reimagining their entire solution stack because of three different pressures.