The Download: HR Technology Trends, July 2026
Below is our monthly roundup of key HR technology developments
SHRM editors sourced the web for the top HR technology news items, and these are what caught our attention. Give these finds a download, so you can upload them into your HR strategy.
1. Proposal to Disclose AI’s Impact on Walmart Workers’ Safety and Well-Being Rejected
The Download: Walmart shareholders recently voted down a proposal to disclose how new AI tools affect worker safety and conditions.
Reuters reported that while the shareholders did not disclose their reasons for the rejection, company leaders have emphasized responsible use and human judgment amid concerns about pressure and burnout as Walmart expands automation and ultra-fast delivery.
The Upload: Has your organization experienced negative worker feedback around new AI tools, and if so, how have they been handled? Walmart’s debate signals growing scrutiny of AI’s employee impacts, but HR can get ahead with clear definitions of responsible use and measurable worker-safety outcomes.
2. Meta Pauses Its Employee-Tracking AI Training Program
The Download: Meta paused its internal AI training initiative after sensitive employee data such as private chats, performance data, and transcripts became widely accessible internally.
Business Insider reported that the program was set to capture employee keystrokes and mouse movements to train models; the pause underscores growing tension between AI development and employee privacy.
The Upload: What does employee trust mean to you and your organization? Much like customer data, mishandling internal employee data erodes culture, risks compliance, and undermines AI adoption when you need employees to engage with new tools.
3. What Does the Office of 2050 Look Like?
The Download: A report found that 73% of employees and more than 70% of HR leaders expect AI and automation to reconfigure most office roles, and neural implants and virtual and augmented reality-enabled collaboration across locations could reshape the office of 2050.
International Working Group’s (IWG) IWG Work Reimagined: The Office of 2050 report shows that many leaders see workplaces evolving toward adaptable, wellbeing-centric environments alongside dynamic, tech-enabled infrastructure.
The Upload: Is your organization looking to 2050 and beyond? While AI and hybrid workplaces are a reality for many organizations, other technologies are still emerging. In the meantime, plan for distributed collaboration, skills acceleration, and human-centered design that supports both focus and connection.
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