The Truth Behind AI Layoffs and the Future of Work Trends for 2026

AI-driven layoffs are making headlines, but is AI really the main culprit? Or is the story more complex? As organizations enter 2026, leaders face rising performance expectations, cultural strain, and mounting pressure to deliver productivity gains that rarely materialize. What does this mean for the future of work?

In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, host Alexis Wierenga talks with Gartner expert Emily Rose McRae to break down Gartner's Future of Work Trends for 2026. From the truth behind AI-related workforce reductions, to the hidden risks of AI "workslop" and the growing importance of mental fitness, Emily Rose shares actionable insights for HR leaders, CIOs and executives navigating an AI-enabled workplace.

 

You'll learn:

• Why most AI-driven layoffs aren't what they seem
• How "workslop" creates a hidden productivity drain in organizations
• Why leaders aren't seeing expected productivity gains
• Why performance pressure is rising and how to protect culture
• The critical role of mental fitness in an AI-first world

 

Dig deeper:

• Download the full 9 Future of Work Trends for 2026
• Register for the Future of Work Trends live webinar
• Join us at a Gartner HR Conference near you
• See how Gartner is the world authority on AI