University of Kwazulu-Natal

2026 Work Trends 10 Experts Predict The Future Of Work Forbes

Bonisiwe Shabane
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2026 work trends 10 experts predict the future of work forbes

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond task automation to become a collaborative force shaping decision-making, productivity, and innovation. By 2026, AI will redefine job roles, workplace structures, and the skills professionals need to stay relevant. Understanding these changes early will help businesses and workers adapt to an AI-driven future. Artificial intelligence has transformed business operations. The next wave of change is set to be more disruptive. AI is embedded into workflows, decision-making systems, and daily work routines.

These powerful tools improve creativity, efficiency, and strategic thinking. Here are 10 predictions outlining how AI-driven automation is expected to redefine work and employment in 2026. AI, economic shifts, and evolving employee expectations are redefining what it means to lead and work effectively. Futurist Alexandra Levit highlights ten emerging trends shaping how organizations can adapt, stay competitive, and keep people at the center of progress. The pace of change in 2025 has been dizzying — a year defined by breakthroughs that blurred the boundaries between human and machine, and by disruptions that challenged how, where, and why we work. From the continued mainstream adoption of generative to global economic recalibrations and new definitions of what “career stability” even means, the future of work is no longer a distant concept.

It’s unfolding right now. The organizations that thrive in 2026 won’t be the ones chasing every trend, but those that can anticipate what’s next, adapt intelligently, and put people at the center of technological progress. As I mark my fifth year working with Dayforce, I’ve had a front-row seat to this transformation — and a deep appreciation for how quickly theoretical predictions are becoming practical imperatives. And that’s why I’m highlighting the 10 trends that will shape the 2026 workplace and beyond. These insights are designed not just to inform, but to equip leaders and employees alike with the right lens to stay ahead. In 2026, job redesign will shift from the theoretical to the practical, as more organizations break down individual roles into component tasks and strategically assign those to human and AI-based team members.

Accurate foundational data about workflows and skills will be essential to making informed decisions about who is responsible for what. The sheer necessity of AI upskilling will hopefully result in more concrete action in this direction. As of now, according to the 16th Annual Pulse of Talent from Dayforce, only 17% of employees say their organization is upskilling workers whose jobs are impacted by AI. And 71% of employees haven’t received AI training in the last year. If the AI market is in a bubble, it hasn’t burst yet. Organizations will continue to invest billions in AI implementations.

Some employers will fund these activities through reductions in force. New McKinsey research found that 32% expect decreases in the size of their workforce in response to AI, while only 13% expect increases. Blunt force automation can backfire when AI-based agents are unable to operate autonomously without proper oversight. Ultimately, new human roles will need to be created to ensure AI’s effectiveness, not the other way around. Join Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, and Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself At Work, for an exclusive look at the Workplace Trends 2026 Forecast. For 14 years, this annual report has guided millions of professionals in understanding the trends disrupting and reshaping their careers.

This year’s forecast draws on insights from nearly 30,000 employees, HR leaders, C-suite executives, managers, IT leaders, and legal experts, exploring critical topics including AI’s impact on skills and learning, workforce consolidation amid hiring... Discover the forces driving a more flexible, automated, and intelligent workplace and learn practical strategies to adapt and thrive in 2026 and beyond. achieve Engagement is recognized by both SHRM and HRCI as an approved provider to offer credit hours to you by attending our free webcasts. Most webcasts are worth 1 credit hour for either or both organizations. All attendees will receive an email with their credit codes shortly after the event. Business leaders are entering 2026 with a level of confidence that may seem unexpected.

Executives are largely optimistic about growth, even as they prepare for continued change driven by AI, shifting talent expectations and global complexity. So what does the future of work look like in 2026? G-P surveyed 500 U.S. executives to surface the leadership predictions guiding business, HR and technology strategy and priorities in the new year. The results suggest a more nuanced reality — one where success depends on a company's ability to blend global thinking with more adaptable business and global employment strategies. While nearly three-quarters (72%) of leaders feel confident that global economic conditions will support business growth in 2026, they aren’t abandoning the discipline of the last few years.

Instead, we’re seeing a shift toward selective growth. Many organizations are still carefully managing costs, reassessing hiring plans, and prioritizing efficiency. The goal is no longer just to grow, but grow strategically, favoring flexibility and high-value contributions over long-term commitments. Shane Hadlock, Paycom’s chief client and technology officer, shared his 2026 work trend prediction with Forbes, highlighting the need for HR tech to be streamlined in a single database and reinforcing Paycom as an... https://pycm.co/48Wmj3q For the past 14 years, we have published our annual forecast of the most prominent trends shaping the future of work.

Millions of readers have benefited from learning about the trends that are disrupting and reshaping their professions. The 10 trends are selected based on secondary sources, conversations with our wide network of executives, and our own extensive primary research. This year alone, we surveyed nearly 30,000 employees, HR leaders, C-suite leaders, managers, IT leaders, and legal leaders on topics ranging from AI, skills, and healthcare. The workplace of 2026 is poised for significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, changing demographics, and evolving global economic, environmental, and cultural forces. These trends reflect a broader shift towards a more flexible, automated, and intelligent workplace. By downloading this resource, I consent to sharing my contact information and being contacted by its sponsor.

In 2025, we encouraged leaders to soar high above the EX winter from the year before, but external events have interceded. AI hype and destabilizing politics across the globe have cast a long shadow on your path to the future of work. Disruption is no longer episodic; it’s ambient. Many firms are so focused on chasing AI-fueled efficiencies that they haven’t determined what AI can actually offer, causing them to rehire terminated roles. Meanwhile, some employers genuinely want to offer innovative solutions to problems such as affordable housing or access to healthcare, but their efforts will fall flat if they miss the glaring opportunity to navigate uncertainty... From Dublin, this is a rapid briefing on how last year reshaped the world of work and why 2026 is highly likely to deepen three core themes: pay transparency, hybrid work, and artificial intelligence...

The 2025 review captures a clear pivot toward clearer compensation structures, more flexible work arrangements, and broader tech governance across industries. Across sectors, employers expanded hybrid and flexible schedules, making remote and in-office work a standard option rather than an exception. Organizations moved to clearer pay bands and more visible compensation practices,aiming to close wage gaps and improve retention in competitive labour markets. At the same time, AI tools began moving from pilot programs to mainstream usage, streamlining operations, analytics, and customer interactions while prompting new training and governance needs. These shifts reflected a broader demand for transparency and adaptability from both workers and leaders. Companies faced the challenge of balancing productivity gains with privacy considerations and ensuring fair treatment as technology touches more job functions.

the year underscored the importance of governance frameworks to manage data, ethics, and risk while maintaining trust with employees and customers. Industry observers anticipate three pillars driving workplace policy and practice next year: pay transparency, hybrid work expansion, and AI integration with robust oversight.Employers are expected to embed transparent compensation strategies, extend flexible work options,... With the momentum from 2025, organizations may accelerate training and upskilling to prepare workers for AI-enabled environments. The emphasis will likely be on skills progress, reskilling programs, and clear performance metrics that reflect both human and technological contributions.Stakeholders will watch closely how these elements interact to support productivity while protecting workers’...

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