Beyond AI | Learning science & volunteering in vogue: Alternative HR trends for 2026

With 2026 nearly upon us, December has once again brought the comforting air of inevitability.

Celebrities of yesteryear pop up in unexpected UK destinations to switch on Christmas lights; certain charlatans bizarrely indulge in playing Whamageddon despite George Michael’s utter brilliance as an artist and a person; and next year’s ‘work trends’ or ‘HR predictions’ for next year fall thicker than the White Christmases of old.

For the latter, the headlines are consistent and perhaps a little uninspiring.

Major reports from Gartner, Forbes, et al draw many of the same conclusions: AI has the potential to revolutionise HR if applied successfully; leaders must navigate complexity, uncertainty, and change; bosses will look to combat economic instability by unlocking new levels of employee performance; the job market isn’t really working... for anyone.