The workplace has transformed dramatically over the past few years, and 2026 promises even bigger changes. As we prepare for the New Year, business leaders are weighing in on what's coming next for artificial intelligence in our work lives.
Back in 2023, I wrote about AI's "invasion" of the workplace as the hottest trend heading into 2024. Now, experts agree that AI literacy will continue to dominate, but with a twist: success will depend on human-centric collaboration with our AI teammates.
I spoke with ten industry leaders to get their take on where AI is heading. While AI's rapid evolution has sparked both excitement and anxiety, the consensus is surprisingly optimistic.
The Rise of "AI Workshops"
Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, warns that as companies cut middle management positions, they're delegating routine decisions to AI. The result? A flood of generic reports and cookie-cutter content that lacks substance.
With 80% of employees already using or experimenting with AI, and managers using it at nearly double the rate of individual contributors (90% versus 55%), Weishaupt sees a critical shift ahead. Managers will need to prove they can deliver what AI cannot: creative problem-solving, authentic team culture, complex interpersonal navigation, and strategic direction. Organizations must step up to upskill managers and establish benchmarks for uniquely human capabilities.
Discernment Over Output
Rita Ramakrishnan, CEO of Iksana Consulting, predicts that AI fluency will become essential, but the real value will lie in knowing when not to use it. She expects new executive roles focused on AI transformation, alongside cautionary tales of companies that deployed AI without developing human judgment. In 2026, success will be measured by balance, not just output.
Amplifying Human Potential
Nickle LaMoreaux, CHRO at IBM, sees AI as more than a speed booster. She believes it will amplify human potential and fuel growth by freeing employees to focus on higher-value work, whether that's deepening client relationships or creating innovative solutions. Organizations that prioritize AI skilling will lead the next era of business.
AI as Teammate, Not Just Tool
Karishma Patel Buford, Chief People Officer at Spring Health, emphasizes that HR leaders must build both AI literacy and human judgment into their talent strategies. The goal is developing employees who can work with AI while also interpreting, questioning, and making final decisions. Without this balance, organizations risk uncritical AI use or, worse, humans becoming servants to the technology.
Narrowing Focus, Not Expanding Options
Christoph Fleischmann, founder and CEO of Arthur Digital, pushes back against doom-and-gloom job displacement predictions. He sees AI as augmenting human skills through collaboration rather than replacement. AI will help narrow focus and guide people toward what's relevant, while revolutionizing knowledge sharing through personalized briefings at scale.
System-Wide Training Becomes Critical
Susan Gonzales, founder of AIandYou, acknowledges that while AI has displaced some jobs, it's also creating new ones and boosting productivity across sectors. She predicts 2026 will mark a turning point where companies recognize the need for comprehensive AI fundamentals training. Both white-collar and blue-collar workers will need AI literacy to integrate new tools effectively, as siloed training approaches have proven ineffective.
Exposing Organizational Fault Lines
Matt Poepsel, Vice President at The Predictive Index, argues that AI won't replace people, but it will expose every weakness in your organization. The real threat isn't the technology itself, but leaders who treat adoption as a technical rollout rather than human transformation. HR leaders who master bridge-building will determine whether AI divides or amplifies teams.
Voice-Activated AI Collaboration
Holger Reisinger, Senior Vice President at Jabra, predicts that generative AI will increasingly feel like a coworker. Voice interaction with AI will become commonplace, with mainstream adoption expected by 2028 as workers shift from typing to speaking with AI agents.
Soft Skills Take Center Stage
Kara Ayers, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Xplor Technologies, sees emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking becoming more valuable than ever. Hiring priorities are shifting from what candidates know to how they connect, lead, and respond to change. While machines handle the "what," soft skills define the "how" and "why" that drive success.
Upskilling as Retention Strategy
Eva Majercsik, Chief People Officer at Genesys, predicts that upskilling will become the new retention strategy, with success depending on HR's ability to build an AI-first workforce from within.
As 2026 approaches, expert predictions paint an overwhelmingly optimistic and human-centric picture. AI will continue to have far-reaching effects, but the focus is on augmentation and humanization rather than replacement. The organizations that thrive will be those that invest in their people, balance technology with judgment, and remember that AI works best when it enhances—not replaces—human capability.