Technology Powered.2026 Human Capital Trends Study People Driven.How Humans Amplify Outcomes in the Age of AI Contents About the Report and Data Methodology3ForewordByron Beebe – CEO, Human Capital4Executive Summary5The Authors8Chapter 1: AI Implementation has GoneMainstream; AI Readiness has Not9Chapter 2: Investing in People is theUltimate Advantage in the Age of AI21Chapter 3: Turn Investment into Impact:EVPs are Powering Meaningful Change35Chapter 4: Conclusion48Chapter 5: Geographical Overviews50Global51Australia53Brazil55Canada57China59Colombia61Germany63 Hong Kong65India67Ireland69Italy71Malaysia73Mexico75Netherlands77Nordics79Philippines81Poland83Portugal85Singapore87Spain89Türkiye91U.A.E.93UK95U.S.A.97Participant Figures99 About the Report & Data Methodology From November 2025 to January 2026, Aon conducted a Human Capital Trends survey. 2,361 board directorsand senior business and people leaders fromorganizations worldwide shared their perspectiveson a range of human capital topics.The global survey spanned 62 geographies, including23 with samples of 30+ participants (our threshold forfrom 504 participants across Australia (125), China(34), Hong Kong (57), India (89), Malaysia (31),the Philippines (60) and Singapore (48). AdditionalAPAC geographies with fewer than 30 participantsare not listed (60).Latin America (LATAM) geographies had responses About the Report and Data MethodologyHuman Capital Trends survey and insights fromAon’s team of human capital specialists. It isdesigned to equip senior business, human resourcesand people leaders with insights into today’sorganizations, their workforces and the humancapital strategies required to optimize talent andstrengthen performance.Thank you to our team of human capital thoughtleaders who contributed. from 234 participants across Brazil (75), Colombia statistical significance), across a range of industries.North America (NA) geographies had total responsesfrom 697 participants across Canada (88) and the(34) and Mexico (67). Additional LATAM geographieswith fewer than 30 participants are not listed (58). For clarity, our data points have been rounded to thenearest whole number. This means sometimes a set United States of America (U.S.A.) (609).Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) geographieshad responses from 926 participants across Germany of percentages will not add up to exactly 100%.Unless otherwise stated, all data within this reportcomes from our analysis of Aon’s Human Capital (31), Ireland (51), Italy (154), Netherlands (42), Nordics(66), Poland (75), Portugal (64), Spain (80), Türkiye(62), United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) (34) and the UnitedKingdom (UK) (138). Additional EMEA geographies withfewer than 30 participants are not listed (129).Trends survey and Employee Sentiment survey. Foreword face a defining moment.AI advancements are quickly developing. Employee forward for organizations around the world and helpthem achieve a powerful competitive advantage. I alsobelieve that this report can act as a call to action fororganizations looking to cultivate a stronger, happierand more productive workforce.While today’s challenges are evident, the opportunitiesare there to be seized. Let’s work together to navigate expectations are shifting. Technology has made datamore accessible. Simply put: The global landscape ischanging at speed.In this fast-paced world, focusing on today is no longerenough. The near and distant future must be confronted with confidence.That’s why I’m proud to present our report, rich indata and insight, on today’s global human capital these changes and transform your organization into apowerhouse of tomorrow.Byron Beebe trends. This report precisely defines the employeeand employer relationship in this new world. Providingleaders with the foresight, readiness and intent neededto see what’s coming and shape what’s next. We delveinto the gap between high rates of AI implementationand low AI readiness. Our data suggests that investingin people is the ultimate advantage in the age of AI. Weuncover how investment can be turned into impact, withemployee value propositions driving meaningful change. Executive Summary Executive SummaryArtificial intelligence (AI) in theworkplace has rapidly evolved fromexploration to execution, transformingthe workforce and elevating thestrategic value of human capital.Organizations that unlock technology’spotential today are better positioned tostay ahead tomorrow. But a fundamentalquestion remains: How do people andtechnology align in this new age of AI?People, at every level of the organization, have the possibility to amplify impact and multiply outcomeswith transformative technology in their hands. Pairedwith this, human leadership, adaptability and innovationbecome the engines for reshaping the future ofgrowth. Organizations that embrace this may be betterpositioned to build the resilience needed to thrive in anuncertain world — one in which 39% of companies arepursuing