The Download: HR Technology Trends, December 2025
Our monthly roundup of key developments in HR technology, plus insights on how to harness the power of these developments.
As 2025 comes to a close, the human-AI relationship is entering a new chapter — one shaped by excitement, anxiety, blurred boundaries, and a widening disconnect between what leaders say and what employees actually feel. For CHROs, this month’s trends point to one overarching mandate: Lead with clarity, design for humanity, and guide the workforce through uncertainty with confidence.
1. Eager but Uneasy: The Agentic AI Trust Gap
The Download: Employees see value in using agentic artificial intelligence tools at work, but concerns remain about their long-term impact. In a recent EY survey, 84% of U.S. desk workers reported excitement about using agentic AI, yet 56% said they are worried it threatens their job security.
The Upload: CHROs can close the gap between optimism and fear by treating AI adoption as both a technical rollout and a cultural transformation. Employees need transparency on AI use, how their roles may evolve, and which skills will matter most. Proactive communication and accessible upskilling can turn anxiety into empowerment.
2. Still Skeptical: The Real AI Adoption Challenge
The Download: More than half of workers (54%) said they used AI for their jobs in the past year, yet daily use remains rare. Only 14% use generative AI and just 6% use agentic AI daily, according to PwC's Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025. Many doubt AI will meaningfully change their roles in the next three years.
The Upload: This disconnect reveals a deeper issue with trust and understanding. CHROs should frame AI as a present-day performance tool, supported by real-world examples and measurable outcomes. Clear governance, consistent messaging, and visible executive support can help employees see AI as additive, not disruptive.
3. AI Is My Benefits Advisor: Employees Go Outside HR for Guidance
The Download: A majority of recently surveyed employees (73%) already use AI to make decisions about their personal finances, health, and wellness. Nearly 7 in 10 employees said they avoided asking HR questions due to fears of appearing uninformed or concerns about privacy.
The Upload: This shift presents a powerful opportunity for HR to reimagine benefits support. Employees want immediate, judgment-free guidance, and AI tools can deliver personalized answers at scale. CHROs should embed AI-driven benefits advisors to help employees navigate complex choices year-round — not just during open enrollment. These tools can build trust and reduce the administrative burden on HR teams.
4. Always On, Never Off: The Mobile-Work Burnout Loop
The Download: U.S. employees spend the equivalent of 21 working days each year doing their jobs from mobile phones, according to a recent report from Adobe. More than half said phone notifications blur personal boundaries, and 62% said mobile work makes tasks harder.
The Upload: Mobile work amplifies flexibility, but it also conceals fatigue. CHROs must set organizational norms that shield employees from constant accessibility and screen-based stress. Policies on response times, after-hours communication, and manager expectations should be explicit, not implied. Rebalancing mobile work is about recalibrating well-being, not restricting flexibility.
5. Silence Speaks Loudest: Leadership Gaps Fuel Tech Anxiety
The Download: Fewer than 1 in 5 employees have heard from their managers about how AI might affect their jobs, according to the 2025 Mercer study HR Technology's Impact on the Workforce. The lack of communication fuels uncertainty across the workforce.
The Upload: CHROs must equip managers to confidently discuss AI, role changes, and skills building with their teams. Transparent dialogue builds psychological safety, especially for those who fear they will be left behind. Leaders should share not just what decisions are being made, but why. Consistent communication turns ambiguity into alignment and strengthens trust during rapid transformation.
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