If last year was one of tumultuous change for HR — most notably, widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and the start of the second Trump administration — 2026 is shaping up to be one of focus.
HR professionals will hone their AI strategies, industry sources told HR Dive, moving from experimenting with AI to finding ways to integrate it into everyday work.
The department will take a closer look at DEI programs, experts predicted, working to ensure initiatives stand up to scrutiny.
And those tasked with recruiting are expected to deploy extreme precision when hiring.
Read on for some deeper looks into those topics and more.
