Dubai, United Arab Emirates – November 2025: The war for talent is entering
uncharted territory. According to Korn Ferry’s newly released Talent Acquisition Trends
2026 report, the global workforce is on the brink of a historic shift as AI moves from
being a tool to becoming a teammate. Drawing insights from over 1,900 talent leaders
and experts worldwide, including the Middle East, the report highlights how Human + AI
collaboration, leadership pipeline gaps, and shifting skill priorities are set to redefine
how organizations hire, grow, and compete.
The research reveals that 52% of talent leaders plan to add autonomous AI agents to
their teams by 2026, signalling the dawn of a new hybrid workforce where people and
algorithms collaborate side by side. Yet, even as technology reshapes talent acquisition,
Korn Ferry cautions that human judgment, empathy, and adaptability will remain the
differentiators of successful organizations.
“AI is transforming how we attract and develop talent, but the essence of the workforce
in our region remains human. Technology can accelerate our work, yet it’s people, their
judgment, empathy, and cultural understanding that will continue to set organizations
apart,” said Jonathan Holmes, Managing Director, Middle East, Turkey and Africa,
Korn Ferry.
AI Joins the Workforce
The report suggests that 2026 will mark the moment when AI officially joins the
workforce, not as a back-end support tool, but as a visible, measurable member of the
team. From screening candidates to managing workflows, AI agents are set to take on
active operational roles across industries.
In the Middle East, this evolution is accelerating faster than in many global markets. As
governments across the UAE and Saudi Arabia double down on national AI strategies
and future-skills agendas, organizations are reimagining how humans and algorithms
can collaborate to drive performance. What was once viewed as experimental
technology is now becoming central to business models, hiring frameworks, and talent
strategies.
“The future of AI in the workplace isn’t far off, it’s already unfolding across the Middle
East,” said Iktimal Daneshvar, Vice President and Senior Client Partner,
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Middle East and Africa, Korn Ferry.
“We’re seeing organizations lay the foundation for true collaboration between people
and AI, reshaping how teams operate and decisions are made.”
Critical Thinking Tops the Hiring Agenda:
While 84% of global talent leaders say they plan to use AI next year, 73% rank critical
thinking as the number-one hiring priority, well ahead of AI technical skills. This finding
highlights a growing awareness that technology alone cannot replace the human ability
to question, interpret, and apply insight.
The Leadership Pipeline at Risk:
The report also warns of an emerging leadership gap, with 43% of companies planning
to replace roles with AI, especially in operations (58%) and entry-level positions (37%).
Korn Ferry cautions that cutting early-career roles may deliver short-term savings but
could weaken leadership pipelines, particularly in the Gulf’s young, fast-evolving
workforce.
“With a workforce that’s predominantly young across the GCC, it’s important that we
continue bringing new professionals into the fold,” added Daneshvar. “They’re naturally
agile and quick to adapt to new technologies, exactly the kind of mindset our region
needs to accelerate digital transformation.”
AI Outpaces Leadership Readiness:
Despite the rapid uptake of AI technology, only 11% of talent leaders say their
executives are fully prepared to lead through this transition. Korn Ferry’s experts stress
the need for organizations to bridge this readiness gap through stronger alignment
between business strategy, talent acquisition, and leadership development.
As the world enters an era where Human + AI partnerships define performance, Korn
Ferry’s findings highlight a clear message for the GCC: the future of work will depend
not just on how effectively companies deploy AI, but on how well they empower people
to lead it. In a region driven by innovation, those who strike the right balance between
digital capability and human insight will set the benchmark for global competitiveness.
For more on Korn Ferry’s Talent Acquisition Trends Report, CLICK HERE
Survey Methodology:
Korn Ferry surveyed 1,674 global talent leaders at all levels externally along with 230
Korn Ferry talent experts spanning industries and regions worldwide. External survey
demographics include: 42% were from the US, 26% EMEA, 20% APAC, and 12%
LATAM. The survey asked about how talent strategies are evolving for 2026, with a
core focus on the role of AI and its impact on hiring, development, leadership pipelines,
organizational structure, C-suite agendas and office mandates.
About Korn Ferry:
Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance, bringing together
strategy and talent to drive superior performance for our clients. We work with clients to
design their organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the
right people and advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their workforce.
And we help professionals navigate and advance their careers. Korn Ferry has a strong
presence in the region, with its Middle East headquarters based in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia, and offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
