AI adoption to hit HR as one in three firms plan automation by 2026: Report

Artificial intelligence will replace more employees across industries next year — and HR professionals will not be spared — as companies accelerate plans to automate administrative and decision-making functions, AI Resume Builder reported.

A new survey by the firm found that 30% of employers plan to replace employees with AI in 2026, following 21% who said they had already automated certain roles this year. Nearly half of employers (49%) planning AI-driven replacements expect the technology to take over between 10% and 45% of their current workforce, while another 7% said the shift could affect as much as 65% or more.

Customer service roles were identified as the most likely to be automated, followed by administrative, clerical, IT, and technical support positions. However, the report said HR and recruiting functions are also among the areas employers intend to replace, as AI tools expand into resume screening, onboarding, and workforce analytics.

“These functions overlap with areas where AI is already most widely used, including data analysis, document summarisation and research,” the report noted.

The findings add to growing anxiety about job security. Earlier this year, Resume Now reported that 89% of employees fear being replaced by AI tools. Some have even admitted concealing their use of AI in daily work to avoid raising concerns about redundancy, Cox Business reported.

A separate study by Adaptavist found that 35% of workers have begun “knowledge hoarding” to protect themselves from potential automation, while 38% are reluctant to train colleagues in their areas of expertise.

Rachel Serwetz, a career adviser at AIResumeBuilder.com, said employees can future-proof their roles by learning the AI tools most relevant to their industry. “If AI is adopted for customer service, administrative or IT work, there will still be a need for people to manage and oversee those tools,” she said.

Two-thirds of business leaders — 67%, according to the survey — said employees with AI skills will enjoy greater job security. Most agreed that candidates proficient in AI technologies are now viewed as more desirable in hiring decisions.

Serwetz added that automation could also serve as a turning point for workers reassessing their careers. “If automation is reshaping your current role and you’re not passionate about it, consider pivoting to positions that feel more aligned and less at risk,” she said.

As companies head into 2026, analysts say HR and talent leaders will face a dual challenge: managing workforce anxiety over automation while integrating AI systems that are rapidly transforming their own functions.