Although companies such as Oracle and Salesforce are using AI agents, a Gartner report predicts that more than 40% of projects involving the technology will be abandoned by 2027, mainly because of rising costs, unclear business value and insufficient risk management. Despite current challenges, the adoption of AI agents is expected to accelerate. As AI agents evolve from simple helpers to "colleagues," organizations must develop new management strategies, set clear guidelines and focus on upskilling employees to work effectively with these technologies.

BlueCareers is a newly launched recruitment platform from the International Blueberry Organization that serves as a dedicated hub for connecting employers and professionals throughout the blueberry sector. The platform offers job postings, resume submissions, and networking opportunities tailored specifically to the industry's needs.

Despite the overall drop in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging focus, high-performing HR teams stand out for their strong commitment to inclusion, according to the 2026 State of People Strategy Report. High-performing teams also leverage advanced HR technologies to manage talent operations, track performance and uncover valuable data insights, demonstrating that people-first strategies and innovation go hand-in-hand with organizational success.

Many HR AI projects are failing due to unrealistic expectations of effortless, rapid transformation promised by autonomous AI, but case studies show that focusing on incremental, augmentation-based AI projects delivers tangible benefits. For example, a mid-size manufacturing firm's accounts payable department automated invoice processing, reducing manual work and improving efficiency by 43%. Similarly, a regional insurance carrier used generative AI to automate the drafting of claim settlement letters, saving adjusters 28% of their time. These examples underscore how incremental, focused AI projects can transform repetitive tasks and free up staff for higher-value work.

A recent survey of US workers highlights growing concerns around workplace safety, with many reporting verbal altercations and emotional stress and 46% reporting that fear of potential violence from coworkers is their top worry. The survey also showed that financial insecurity prevents nearly a quarter of workers from leaving unsafe jobs, especially among younger employees who say safety worries are impacting their performance.

AI is transforming the workplace faster than expected, with 50% of work already being performed by machines, according to Mark Onisk of Skillsoft. This shift requires HR to move from traditional job-based planning to a skills-based approach, continuously assessing and developing employee capabilities. HR leaders are now tasked with continuously assessing workforce capabilities, facilitating ongoing upskilling and fostering a culture of psychological safety and transparency.

SmartTake: Ultimately, HR is positioned as the architect of organizations' AI readiness and cultural transformation. They must champion both technical and "power skills" development, ensure digital literacy and embed learning into daily operations, all while guiding ethical and compliant AI adoption.