Human advantage in workplace remains critical, study finds

As artificial intelligence transforms how work gets done, organisations that prioritise human-centric approaches are significantly more likely to see returns on their investments, according to financial consulting firm Deloitte's 2026 Global Human Capital Trends report.

The study, which surveyed more than 3,000 business and HR leaders across 15 countries, found that those taking a human-focused approach to AI are 1.6 times more likely to exceed return expectations compared to those taking a tech-focused approach. Technology is replicable, the report argues, while people are not.

"Humans create competitive differentiation through adaptivity, creativity, and judgment amid uncertainty and change," the report states. It suggests value is unlocked through redesigning work that brings the best of humans and machines together.

Despite nearly 60% of workers now using AI intentionally at work, only 14% of leaders say they are adept at shaping human-AI interactions. Organisations that prioritise intentional design of human-machine collaboration are nearly 2.5 times more likely to report better financial results and twice as likely to provide meaningful work, says Deloitte.

The research also highlights growing concerns around trust and culture. 80% of leaders, managers, and workers are concerned that colleagues are using AI to appear more productive than they are. Only 5% of organisations are making significant progress in understanding AI's impact on organisational culture.

Workers are navigating new ethical questions without guidance, the report warns, including whether using AI constitutes cheating, who is to blame when AI is wrong, and what constitutes hard work when AI handles heavy lifting.

The findings come amid broader shifts in the worker-organisation relationship. Only 16% of knowledge workers trust senior leaders to make the right decisions for their people, a double-digit drop in one year. The report urges leaders to treat culture as a strategic asset rather than allowing it to erode quietly.