Employers urged to prepare for multiple workforce futures
A majority of senior business leaders expect their organisations' workforces to expand in the coming years — and most credit artificial intelligence as a driver of growth rather than reduction, according to new research from global real estate services firm JLL.
JLL's 2026 Future of Work Survey, which gathered perspectives from more than 2,200 C-suite executives and corporate real estate (CRE) leaders across 21 countries, found that 61% of respondents anticipate net headcount growth over the next three to five years, while 39% expect a reduction. Similarly, 60% believe AI will reinvent human roles rather than replace them.
The biennial survey, conducted between January and April 2026, found that organisations further along in their AI adoption journey are more likely to lean toward hiring full-time employees, investing in entry-level talent, and actively redesigning roles to be enhanced by AI rather than eliminated.
"The public conversation around AI has been dominated by its impact on jobs and our research reveals that most companies are focused on the opportunities that come with AI," said Neil Murray, CEO of Real Estate Management Services at JLL.
"Most forward-thinking leaders aren't just buying technology; they are investing in their people. They are pursuing a strategy of human-machine enhancement to create additional roles, boost productivity and drive sustainable growth."
Recognition-action gap
Despite the broadly optimistic outlook, the survey identified a significant gap between recognition and action.
While 78% of respondents acknowledged that AI will significantly impact their portfolio strategies and CRE function, only 15% have progressed beyond exploration and initial deployment to actively optimise AI in their operations.
Nearly half (46%) are also still monitoring AI trends, while 40% are analysing potential impacts, according to the report.
The research also flagged skills gaps as the single biggest barrier to transformation.
For the first time in 15 years of the survey, skills shortages in AI, analytics, and emerging technologies (36%) have overtaken budget constraints (30%) as the top constraint on CRE value creation. Limited change management expertise (26%) and organisational silos (25%) compound the challenge.
Prepare for multiple workforce futures
For organisations navigating this uncertainty, employers are being urged to prepare for multiple workforce futures rather than committing to a single path.
According to JLL, this means mapping transformation requirements across different workforce models, such as automation versus augmentation, or distributed versus hub-based arrangements, and designing work environments that balance technology-enabled productivity with cognitive performance.
Building adaptability through elastic portfolios, including varied lease terms, satellite hubs, and modular space designs, is also advised to preserve flexibility as workforce strategies continue to evolve.
"We are seeing a fundamental shift in what defines a high-performing company," said Peter Miscovich, Global Future of Work Leader at JLL.
"Leading organisations are demonstrating deeper integration between real estate, HR, and technology to support their business strategies. These companies leverage data-driven AI decision intelligence to reimagine their workplaces for greater human performance and to achieve superior business outcomes."
