“AI will be used to do the heavy lifting and suggest HR innovations based on trends and patterns that help achieve key business goals.”

Reasoning

The 2023 Applaud prediction that 'AI will be used to do the heavy lifting and suggest HR innovations based on trends and patterns that help achieve key business goals' is directional and vague — it names no metric, threshold, or deadline, making it moderately low on specificity. That said, the evidence as of mid-2026 strongly supports the directional claim. SHRM's 2026 State of AI in HR report found that 62% of organisations are already using AI somewhere in their HR functions, with 87% of HR professionals forecasting greater AI adoption in HR processes. ADP, Gartner, Staffbase, and multiple industry analysts confirm that AI is now embedded across the employee lifecycle — from recruitment and onboarding to workforce planning and performance management — and is being explicitly aligned to strategic business goals. Gartner's Hype Cycle for AI in HR 2025 notes that AI in HR has moved 'from experimentation to a core differentiator,' and agentic AI is being used to 'proactively generate insights from HCM data with clear recommendations.' Advanced AI tools are identifying turnover risk signals, forecasting workforce capacity, and personalising learning paths. However, Gartner also cautions that many CHROs are struggling to demonstrate true value, and adoption is uneven. The prediction is broadly accurate in direction but was not specific enough to score highly on calibration — it did not specify adoption rates, timelines, or the magnitude of impact, so it is impossible to say whether the magnitude matched expectations.

Sources

• The State of AI in HR 2026 Report – SHRM

  87% forecasting greater adoption of AI within HR processes (up from 83% in 2025)

• AI in HR: Separate Hype from Reality to Achieve Business Goals – Gartner

  AI in HR has moved from experimentation to a core differentiator

• Key HR Technology Trends for 2026 – ADP

  agentic AI can streamline processes and enhance decision-making

• Top AI Trends in HR for 2026 – Staffbase

  over 80% of HR departments are expected to use generative AI or predictive analytics in daily operations

• 11 HR Trends for 2026 – AIHR

  AI has moved out of the IT department and into the boardroom