A CFO’s predictions for workforce trends in 2026

In conversation with Accounting Times' sister brand, HR Leader, Deputy chief financial officer Emma Seymour reflected on how Australia’s shift work landscape is set to change significantly in the coming year, as SMEs face leaner teams, tighter labour markets, and rising costs.

Such challenges will, of course, come against the backdrop of needing to do more with less, whilst not working employees into the ground.

There is, Seymour noted, significant growth in AI adoption across the frontline workforce, and in 2026, “many factors will become critical”.

There are five predictions she has outlined that she sees as “key to surviving — and even thriving — in this new AI era”.

First, she said, the AI training gap will become the new workplace divide.

“Most workers (81 per cent) are willing to use AI, yet only a quarter (25 per cent) have received proper training. How organisations address this gap will define which workplaces thrive and which fall behind — transparency and education will be critical,” she said.

Second, Seymour continued, human skills will be more valuable than ever.

“Two-thirds of frontline roles rely heavily on empathy and personal connection, and 94 per cent of workers believe these qualities can’t be automated,” she said.

“AI can take care of the admin, but humans will still manage the moments that matter — building trust, responding to customer needs, and making judgment calls that machines simply can’t replicate.”

Third, AI will become essential for SME survival.

“With leaner teams, skill shortages, and rising administrative demands, more businesses will turn to tech-enabled HR systems to streamline work,” she said.

“Over half of Australian workplaces (51 per cent) already use AI, showing a clear opportunity to combine technology with informed, supported staff to gain a competitive edge.”

Fourth, younger workers are reshaping expectations.

“Gen Z and Millennials — soon joined by Gen Alpha — expect transparency, predictable schedules, and flexibility. Yet only 16 per cent of Australian workers say their employer is fully transparent about AI, and nearly half are unsure how it applies to their role,” Seymour said.

Finally, all of these point to data-driven decision making becoming the norm, Seymour said.

“With AI taking care of the grunt work, managers can focus on people — creating smarter, more resilient workplaces that balance technology with the human skills that really drive success.”

Seymour’s predictions follow Deputy’s recently released Better Together Report, which showed the extent to which AI is already shifting the landscape. It found, for example, that 94 per cent of shift workers said technology makes their job easier and 32 per cent reported being more productive when using it.

The comments also follow the launch of the federal government’s National AI Plan, which includes a $17 million investment to help SMEs adopt AI.

“This is a timely move, given that 51 per cent of workplaces already use AI, yet nearly half of workers don’t know it’s in play,” Deputy said.