What CHROs See Coming Next for Work, Talent and Technology

Organizations are undergoing one of the biggest transformations in the modern world of work. As the current labor market is both dynamic and chaotic, HR leaders are facing a pace of change rarely this intense. The combination of shifting workforce expectations, evolving business needs and accelerating skill disruption is pushing leaders to reassess longstanding approaches to hiring, workforce planning and talent management.

This past quarter, we’ve been exploring providers of enterprise fraud detection and security solutions that are expanding their products into HR use cases, as opposed to HR tech providers that are expanding their fraud detection capabilities.

It is no surprise that AI is reshaping business strategies. Skills requirements are growing faster than expected, putting talent teams under rising pressure to prove business value while navigating economic uncertainty.

To understand how leading organizations are responding, Talent Tech Labs partnered with UNLEASH to survey HR leaders across numerous industries. The result is our new 2026 CHRO Survey Report, which is packed with insights such as:

• Which methods are proving most effective in attracting, building and retaining talent
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• How talent functions are changing to drive greater business value and strengthen strategic impact
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• Which talent, technology and workforce challenges are commanding the most attention
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• What strategies HR leaders believe will be key for navigating disruption and enabling long-term workforce success
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• Which workforce skills organizations are prioritizing to prepare for the future of work

Download the CHRO Report

AI Is Reshaping the Way Organizations Think About Talent

Across the HR function, leaders are rethinking conventional approaches to hiring, labor force planning and employee growth as innovative technologies create new ways of working and improve operational efficiency.

The survey findings reveal that AI and technology adoption is the most frequently cited priority for HR leaders, highlighting the growing role of AI across the talent teams. Key themes emerging from the research include:

• AI is being viewed as a driver of workforce transformation rather than simply a technology initiative.
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• Organizations are weighing how AI can support talent acquisition, talent management and HR service delivery.
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• Many leaders are focused on understanding how AI will affect future workforce needs, skills requirements and organizational capabilities.
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• Change management, governance and responsible adoption stay important considerations as organizations expand their use of AI.

As AI capabilities continue to advance, HR leaders are asked to balance innovation with workforce readiness. The organizations making the greatest progress appear to be those thinking beyond individual tools and focusing on how AI fits into broader talent and business strategies.

Skills Have Become the New Currency of Work

Traditional workforce models were built around job titles and fixed career paths, but it is now gradually being challenged for greater agility.

As roles continue to change and new qualifications are coming up, organizations are looking for more flexible ways to understand workforce potential and respond to shifting business priorities. Skills-based approaches are increasingly viewed to create that flexibility.

The report showcases workforce planning, skills visibility and internal talent development emerged as recurring themes. Organizations are focused on future-proofing their talent needs by understanding the skills currently shaping their workforce and the skills they will need for continued growth. For many leaders, this is directly connected to improving organizational agility and reducing reliance on external hiring to meet evolving talent needs.

What's particularly interesting in the survey is how closely skills are linked to other major priorities. Workforce planning, internal mobility, talent development and AI adoption all depend on a clearer understanding of workforce capabilities. Organizations may be taking different approaches, but the direction is increasingly the same: creating a workforce that can adapt as quickly as the market around it.

HR's Strategic Influence Continues to Grow

As workforce challenges become more complex, expectations of the HR function are changing as well. Talent leaders are no longer being asked only to fill roles, improve retention or manage employee programs. Now, they are expected to help organizations navigate uncertainty, support transformation and contribute to broader business outcomes.

A common problem that emerged throughout the report was the growing importance of linking talent strategies to business results. Leaders recognize that workforce planning, skills development, employee experience and technology investments all have the potential to influence organizational performance. As a result, the conversation around HR is shifting from process management to business impact.

At the same time, organizations are still navigating significant workforce transformations. The report highlights the importance of executive alignment, organizational adaptability and a culture that embraces change. For many organizations, HR is uniquely positioned to bring these elements together, helping leaders translate workforce strategy into meaningful business outcomes while preparing the organization for future challenges.

Do You Have the Workforce Insights Needed to Navigate 2026 and Beyond?

Download the Report