HR leaders have long sought a seat at the table: stronger partnerships with the C-suite and a direct role in driving business value. Some CHROs have achieved this, but many haven’t. Today, AI is creating new opportunities to fulfill this mandate. To capitalize, HR leaders need to implement AI across the enterprise and within their function. In that way, they can evolve from stewards of human capital to architects of a hybrid workforce that leverages people and technology, leading to greater impact and business value.
BCG, in partnership with the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA), recently surveyed more than 7,000 HR and business leaders to understand the biggest people management priorities for HR leaders. Our ongoing analysis, published for nearly two decades running, helps CHROs understand which topics they should focus on.
Based on our survey research, we identified four priorities for CHRO success in 2026 and beyond.
To succeed, leaders need to focus on topics like the deployment of GenAI; digital solutions like process automation; and HR IT architecture, software, and data. Stronger capabilities in these areas have a direct impact on HR performance. For example, in our study, organizations with top capabilities in areas like GenAI and workforce analytics can fill vacant roles up to three weeks faster than their competitors.
For example, as AI agents become more prevalent, CHROs must now support business units in integrating agents into workstreams and processes. They can also rewire talent and upskilling agendas to factor in digital and AI skills across the workforce, including technical, behavioral, and managerial aspects. And they must serve as a strategic advisor on the overall organizational design and agile ways of working while building a culture of innovation and trust.
For CHROs, AI creates tremendous new opportunities—along with greater pressure to deliver results. As our analysis shows, many HR leaders are still at the outset of their AI journey. But those that take a forward-looking, proactive approach to implementing this and other emerging technologies, both in the HR function and across the overall enterprise, can fulfill their mandate to become true strategic partners to the business.
About WFPMA
The World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA) is an organization representing more than 550,000 people management professionals in over 90 national personnel associations around the world.
