HR Priorities for 2026 were outlined in a new report released by AIHR in 2025, setting five focus areas for HR leaders worldwide. The framework addresses AI adoption, workforce skills, and organizational design as companies respond to rapid changes in how work is structured and delivered.
What changed in HR priorities
The HR Priorities framework defines five actions for 2026. These include co-leading organizational AI transformation, reinvesting AI-driven capacity into growth, redesigning HR for cross-functional outcomes, shifting from headcount to skill count, and building AI fluency as a core HR capability.
According to the report, HR must move beyond administrative ownership. Instead, HR shares responsibility with IT and business leaders for workforce readiness, governance, and cultural alignment as AI tools scale across functions.
Why HR priorities are shifting
The report cites three forces shaping HR Priorities in 2026. First, growth pressure is increasing, with more than half of CEOs expecting generative AI to improve efficiency, revenue, and profitability. Second, AI adoption is widespread, as nearly 80% of organizations now use AI in at least one function, while only 20% have redesigned workflows.
Third, talent uncertainty is rising. One in three U.S. workers report fear of reduced job opportunities, while skills requirements change faster than job structures. As a result, HR Priorities now emphasize skills-based planning and AI fluency.
Impact on organizations and workers
HR Priorities position HR as a co-leader of AI transformation rather than a support function. The report notes that 91% of organizations remain unprepared to drive an AI-enabled culture, even as 98% report increased urgency to show AI results.
The framework also addresses productivity gains. Research referenced in the report shows AI can free more than 120 hours per employee annually. However, HR Priorities warn against treating these gains only as cost savings, citing risks such as burnout, knowledge loss, and disengagement.
How HR priorities shape the next phase
The report outlines practical steps tied to HR Priorities. These include mapping AI’s workforce impact, tracking skills rather than roles, redesigning HR teams into outcome-driven networks, and embedding AI fluency into HR roles and performance frameworks.
AIHR contributors Erik van Vulpen, Dr. Dieter Veldsman, and Dr. Marna van der Merwe state that HR credibility in 2026 will depend on execution. The framework positions HR Priorities as a reference point for organizations aligning people strategy with AI-led work models.
