Key Takeaways
- Break down silos—unite HR, IT, and academics for a more effective education workforce.
- AI works best when tailored to real staff and student needs, not just new tools.
- Blend technical and human skills through continuous, in-the-moment learning, not standalone training sessions.
The new “2026 Human + AI Workforce Predictions” report highlights five major shifts that will redefine how organizations design work, develop talent, and deploy AI over the next few years. Here’s how the five key predictions apply to schools, colleges, and learning institutions — and how HR and L&D leaders in education can act now.
1. CHROs and CIOs will reshape education’s workforce
In K–12 and higher ed, people and technology strategies are often separate. The next phase of transformation will demand cross-functional collaboration — aligning HR, IT, and academic leadership to design a unified workforce experience supported by both human and digital capabilities.
2. AI ROI will come from context, not size
For education systems adopting AI tools — from adaptive learning to HR automation — the biggest wins will come from contextual intelligence. Meaningful AI use depends on accurate data about your people, roles, and learning needs — not just the tool itself.
3. New workforce models will scale faster in education
As institutions face enrollment shifts and evolving teaching roles, agility becomes key. Blended teams of human expertise and AI support systems (e.g., instructional assistants or smart schedulers) will help institutions move faster and respond to changing demands.
4. The line between “people jobs” and “technical jobs” will blur.
Teachers, administrators, and staff will all need data fluency and AI literacy, while IT and data professionals must develop empathy, communication, and leadership. Future-ready education systems will invest in developing both sides of the skill equation.
5. Learning “in the flow of work” will redefine institutional development.
Professional learning for educators will evolve from one-off sessions to continuous, AI-enabled support embedded in everyday work. LMS and HR systems will increasingly integrate to deliver learning moments aligned to classroom and administrative challenges in real time.
Education leaders have a unique opportunity to lead this transformation. Use these workforce predictions as a lens to evaluate your organization’s readiness, technology strategy, and talent development approach — and build the foundation for a connected, future-ready education workforce.
Read the full report
