Mercer Global Talent Trends presented by Ephraim Patrick

Reinvent work for a human advantage: turning AI investment into human-powered performance

Mercer's 2026 Global Talent Trends cites an MIT finding that 95% of enterprises are currently getting little return on their AI investments. The reason isn't the technology; it's that work is being layered with AI rather than redesigned around it.

Theme 1 of Mercer’s Talent Trends research makes the case that AI alone is not enough. Sustainable performance comes from redesigning work around human-centric principles – deconstructing jobs into activities, deciding where AI can substitute, augment or transform, and rebuilding around the skills that matter most.

The tension is stark: 63% of executives believe redesigning work for AI will drive the greatest return, yet only 32% think their workforce can actually combine human and machine capability.

We'll unpack what this looks like in practice and the new role it creates for HR as architect of work, then go deep with a live case study from a law firm on their job architecture and skills taxonomy work.

Join us in August to swap notes with peers and leave with one idea worth acting on.