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 markets such as Canada. 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 like Canada

These trends are not fleeting. They are early indicators of changes in the workforce landscape that organizations must understand. Knowing why they are emerging, the opportunities they create, and the risks they pose, is critical for shaping a competitive workforce strategy in 2026. Employers who act now can adapt their hiring, approaches to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving 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.

It’s important for organizations to remember that these roles do not fit traditional job descriptions. Unlike conventional tech positions, these roles bridge the gap between AI’s technical capabilities, and the business outcomes organizations need. Core skills include interpreting AI-generated outputs, orchestrating new workflows, ensuring quality assurance, and upholding ethics and compliance. This complexity makes hiring more challenging and competitive. To stay ahead, consider skills-based hiring and global talent strategies to access diverse, rapidly 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 prompt organizations to seek talent across all functions and industries to strengthen digital capabilities, as skills have become the very infrastructure 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 emerging hubs like Canada

From AI Ethics Specialists to AI UX Designers and Prompt Engineers, Canada is gaining prominence as a key hub for AI-adjacent skills. Growth among Prompt Engineers who also list Artificial Intelligence as a skill has been steady year-on-year, reflecting the role’s inherent alignment with AI and a gradual increase in talent rather than 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% tech talent growth 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 continue to accelerate and with it comes constant change. The same forces driving the trends we explored such as AI adoption, automation, and sector-specific growth are reshaping every decision made. From the surge in AI-adjacent roles and the evolution of job descriptions to rapid talent growth in emerging hubs, these shifts are not just signals; they are the context for the future of work. The organizations that thrive in 2026 will be those that move first and adapt fast.

Shape the future of your organization with our expert support. Contact us today!