AI at work: 2026 predictions from Dayforce leaders

As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: the conversation around AI in the workplace is shifting from possibility to purpose. After a year marked by rapid experimentation, organisations are now asking harder, more strategic questions — not just what AI can do, but how it can drive meaningful outcomes for people and businesses. 

Dayforce leaders predict that 2026 will be a defining year for workforce intelligence. People data will rival financial data in shaping strategy. The race to adopt AI will give way to a push for responsible, results-driven implementation. And the organisations that succeed will be those that realise the best results happen when humans and AI move in sync. 

The path forward will demand new partnerships between HR and IT, new frameworks for trust and transparency, and a renewed focus on empowering people — not replacing them. Here, Dayforce executives share their top predictions for 2026 and what it will take to lead with intelligence, confidence, and care in the age of AI. 

People data will become the new competitive currency 

“In 2026, an organisation’s people data will rival its financial data in strategic importance. AI will elevate workforce intelligence to a board-level asset, transforming it from a historical view of head count and costs to a living map of capability, agility, and operational potential. The people dashboard will sit alongside the financial dashboard as a core driver of strategic decision-making.” – Steve Holdridge, President and COO, Dayforce 

In the age of intelligent business, HR intelligence is becoming the new competitive currency. AI will transform workforce insights into foresight, revealing where growth will come from, where risks are emerging, and how to unlock human potential and operational excellence at scale. Organisations that connect people and performance through trusted, transparent data will be more resilient, more responsive, and better equipped to lead the next wave of innovation. 

AI will move from experimentation to outcomes 

“As organisations move beyond experimentation, 2026 will be the year of outcomes for AI. The focus will shift from potential to performance and real measurement of business results across operations, talent acquisition, and employee engagement. For HR leaders, this means putting rigour around AI ROI to assess how intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and personalised talent experiences directly impact retention, productivity, and growth.” – Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Chief People Officer, Dayforce 

As companies embrace AI as a business enabler, HR will be at the centre of measuring its impact. From accelerating hiring with predictive insights to reducing attrition through data-driven workforce planning, AI will help leaders make smarter, faster, and more informed decisions. The organisations that win in 2026 won’t just deploy AI, they’ll quantify its value. HR teams that establish clear metrics for outcomes, including cost efficiency, employee engagement, and performance impact, will strengthen their strategic position and demonstrate how people strategy drives organisational performance. 

Real progress will come from humans and AI in sync 

“The next era of AI isn’t a takeover — it’s a tango. Real progress will come when humans and AI move in sync, each amplifying the other’s strengths. That level of synchronisation demands trust, rhythm, and balance — and when it’s done right, the results are transformative. Like any great tango, the goal isn’t control, it’s connection. When organisations design for that kind of synchronisation, they unlock the real value of human and AI working together.” – John Kostoulas, VP of Market Positioning and Strategy, Dayforce 

True AI transformation won’t come from technology alone. It will come from trust, collaboration, and design that puts people at the centre. In 2026, the most effective organisations will choreograph this human–machine partnership with intention, blending empathy and intelligence to create more adaptive, empowered workforces. When AI augments rather than replaces, and when humans guide rather than resist, every role becomes more meaningful and every decision more informed. The result isn’t automation for efficiency’s sake — it’s amplification for impact. 

AI adoption becomes a shared mission between HR and IT leaders 

“In 2026, CIOs and CDOs will work more closely than ever with CHROs and CPOs to shape how AI is introduced and embraced in their organisation. With AI fundamentally changing the way we work and transforming the skills people need, the old ways of rolling out new technology won’t suffice – IT and HR need to move in lockstep, as AI demands a cultural shift. The organisations that get this right will reskill their workforce faster, redesign jobs more thoughtfully, and build cultures where people and AI grow together.” – Carrie Rasmussen, Chief Digital Officer, Dayforce 

As AI becomes embedded across the enterprise, the line between technology strategy and people strategy will continue to blur. Success will depend on deep collaboration between HR and IT to ensure that AI deployments are transparent, ethical, and rooted in real employee outcomes. Together, these leaders will shape not just how AI tools are implemented, but how trust, skills, and culture evolve alongside them. 

Leaders will rise above the AI frenzy 

“After over two years of AI frenzy, companies are learning that speed without a destination is just noise. The smartest leaders in 2026 aren’t chasing the next model or agent — they’re asking what truly deserves automation. This isn’t the end of innovation — it’s the start of intelligent restraint. Strategy, not spectacle, will define the next era of AI.” – David Lloyd, Chief AI Officer, Dayforce 

In 2026, the leaders who excel will treat AI not as a race, but as a discipline. They’ll prioritise clarity over complexity — defining where automation adds value, and where human judgement should prevail. By setting intentional guardrails, organisations can channel innovation into measurable outcomes that enhance productivity, decision-making, and trust. 

Innovation with intention 

In 2026, we’ll see a turning point — from experimenting with AI to embracing it with purpose. Successful organisations will see technology as a force for better work. By leading with intelligence, empathy, and integrity, they’ll prove that progress powered by people is the smartest kind of innovation. 

Want to go deeper on the trends shaping 2026? Reserve your seat at our next Coffee Collab.