AI is revolutionizing talent acquisition by making the process more precise and data-driven, according to The Josh Bersin Company and AMS. Companies using AI see up to 300% faster hiring times and better accuracy. With this change, recruiters must shift their role to become "strategic orchestrators" of the technology's use and learn new skills, like AI literacy and agent management. 

The ongoing tension between corporate surveillance and employee privacy has intensified, with many employees feeling constantly monitored, particularly those under 40 and in managerial roles. This dynamic challenges the employer-employee relationship, potentially leading to disengagement and reputational harm for companies, writes JacLyn Pagnotta, managing director of HR at Rose Associates.

California's "No Robo Bosses" Act, which is awaiting the governor's signature, would require employers to notify workers about the use of AI in decision-making and prohibit AI from being used solely for discipline or termination. Starting Jan. 1, employers would be required to maintain a list of automated decision systems, provide detailed notices about those systems and include human oversight in decisions influenced by AI.

Workday has struck a deal to acquire AI company Sana for $1.1 billion, continuing a trend of consolidation in the HR software industry. Last month, rival Dayforce was acquired by Thoma Bravo, a private equity firm. Sana, which enables companies to create AI agents for task automation, will continue developing those tools under Workday.

Goal-setting is a feature of performance management software that ensures clarity and focus for employee objectives. By setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-targeted goals, organizations can guide employees toward success by aligning personal performance with broader company aims.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market for college graduates, fueling concerns about job security and prompting students to seek AI skills. Entry-level workers in occupations most exposed to AI, like software development and writing, have seen notable declines in employment, yet forecasts suggest AI will create more jobs than it eliminates by 2030, making proficiency in AI a valuable asset for future job seekers.

Post-COVID, Americans used their newfound freedom to search for new jobs, but the situation has changed. Enter: "job hugging." As described by Matt Bohn of Korn Ferry: "Now, with paychecks stretched by rising costs, many are clinging to stability even if they're dissatisfied."

US manufacturers are turning to technology to navigate challenges such as tariffs, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and a tech labor shortage, according to research from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence that shows that 96% of manufacturers expect technology to transform operations within five years. AI-powered programming and connected workflows are helping to optimize operations and future-proof the workforce, providing modern tools for talent development.