Workforce Trends for 2026: What every organization needs to know

After deep diving into LinkedIn data to uncover the trends shaping work in 2026, major shifts emerged, from the surge in AI-adjacent roles and the evolution of job descriptions to rapid talent growth in mature North American markets. These changes, driven by AI adoption and sector-specific growth, will redefine talent strategies. Whether your organization operates in tech, life sciences, engineering, or beyond, staying ahead means understanding these changes and their impact. Read on to learn why these trends are emerging now and how they can influence your workforce planning.

Top Workforce Trends

1. The number of AI-adjacent roles is surging globally

2. Traditional job descriptions are evolving

3. Rapid talent growth in emerging hubs in North America

These trends are not fleeting. They represent early signals of shifts in the workforce landscape that organizations need to grasp. Understanding why they are emerging, the opportunities they unlock, and the risks they introduce is essential for crafting a competitive talent strategy for 2026. Employers who take action now can adjust their hiring practices and approaches to stay ahead in a fast-changing market.

The number of AI-adjacent roles is surging globally

AI-adjacent roles such as AI Ethics Specialists, AI UX Designers, and Prompt Engineers are surging in demand for their unique capabilities. Global data shows a 142% year-on-year increase in professionals equipped with AI ethics skills, alongside a 92% growth in the AI UX talent pool.

Organizations should keep in mind that these roles don’t align with traditional job profiles. Unlike standard tech positions, they connect AI’s technical capabilities with the business outcomes companies aim to achieve. Key competencies include interpreting AI outputs, designing new workflows, maintaining quality assurance, and safeguarding ethics and compliance. This complexity makes recruitment more demanding and competitive. To stay ahead, prioritize skills-based hiring and explore global talent strategies to tap into diverse, fast-growing tech talent pools.

Traditional job descriptions are evolving

There is no longer a clear distinction between technical and non-technical roles. As the World Economic Forum states, “Just as roads, broadband and power grids form the foundation of a thriving society, skills form the infrastructure of a resilient economy. They support innovation, enable mobility and power entrepreneurial ecosystems.” This reality should encourage organizations to source talent across diverse functions and sectors to enhance digital capabilities, as skills have become the foundation of modern business.

Now more than ever, businesses need to rethink how they attract, develop, and retain AI-adjacent talent or risk falling behind.

Rapid talent growth in North America

From AI Ethics Specialists to AI UX Designers and Prompt Engineers, Canada is emerging as a leading hub for AI-adjacent expertise. Growth among Prompt Engineers who also list Artificial Intelligence as a skill has remained steady year over year, highlighting the role’s natural alignment with AI and signaling a gradual expansion of talent rather than a sudden disruption.

According to CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent report, the adoption of artificial intelligence has significantly increased demand for AI-specialty tech talent. Canada recorded 5.9% growth in tech talent in 2024, outpacing the U.S. at 1.1%, and added 66,600 tech jobs overall, primarily in the high-tech industry.

As global competition for tech-skilled talent intensifies, Canada is strengthening its position through strategic partnerships with countries like India and Australia. These collaborations aim to accelerate AI innovation and drive mass adoption. Initiatives of this scale require strong involvement from tech companies, startups, and enterprise solutions.

For businesses, this means access to innovation incentives and expanded markets created by the partnership. For talent, demand for AI skills will surge as organizations seek specialists to implement AI at scale. By joining the ranks of leading hubs such as the U.S. and U.K., Canada positions its businesses to benefit from cutting-edge technologies and a globally connected ecosystem.

Next steps for your organization

Organizations hear this often, but the pace of technology will only accelerate, bringing relentless change with it. The same forces driving the trends we’ve explored, such as AI adoption, automation, and sector-specific growth, are reshaping every decision. From the rise of AI-adjacent roles and evolving job profiles to rapid talent expansion in emerging hubs, these shifts aren’t just signals; they define the future of work. The organizations that succeed in 2026 will be those that act first and adapt quickly.

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