What Will HR Look Like in 2026? How AI Is Reshaping People Strategy - December TWBM article

In my Tunbridge Wells Business magazine column this month, I discuss how HR is evolving faster than at any point in its history — and how, by 2026, the use of AI will fundamentally change what HR looks like.

Like many sectors, HR is evolving faster than at any point in its history, and by the end of 2026 the UK HR landscape will look fundamentally different. The most significant shift will be the emergence of AI-driven “talent twins”, dynamic, continuously learning digital replicas of employees that model performance patterns, wellbeing trajectories, engagement levels and potential areas of risk. These simulations will allow HR teams and business leaders to run predictive scenarios in real time, enabling organisations to identify burnout risks, skill gaps and productivity opportunities long before they materialise in the real world.

Alongside this, regulatory pressure will intensify. Expanded ERB-driven worker voice mandates will require companies to embed more transparent, measurable and inclusive employee participation structures. HR departments will no longer be able to rely on periodic surveys or informal feedback loops; instead, they will need to provide auditable, data-backed evidence that employee perspectives influence decision-making at every level.

Complementing these shifts will be the rise of predictive compliance engines. These tools will proactively scan HR policies, workforce data and emerging legislation to forecast potential compliance breaches or litigation risks. This will transform HR from a traditionally reactive, administrative function into a discipline defined by anticipatory governance and strategic foresight.

Businesses that successfully combine predictive wellbeing technologies with authentic, empowered worker voice will gain a decisive competitive advantage. They will build healthier, more resilient teams, reduce turnover, and unlock new levels of productivity, positioning themselves as leaders in a rapidly reshaped HR era.

Get in touch today to discuss your HR needs on 01892 726060 or sophie@theforrestgroup.co.uk