The Executive Download: HR Technology Trends, May 2026
Below is our monthly roundup of key HR technology developments.
The SHRM Executive Network 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. Efficient or Resistant? Cognitive Endurance in the Age of AI
The Download: Just 10 minutes spent with an AI assistant to help problem-solve can cause a user to more easily abandon a task.
In controlled experiments, participants who had access to AI assistance tended to give up earlier on challenging problems and were less likely to engage in sustained effort when compared to those working without help.
The Upload: What does “good work” mean in your organizations? HR may need to redefine what its definition of success looks like in AI-augmented environments.
2. Your Work Apps Might Be Watching More Than You Think
The Download: Many workplace apps and productivity tools collect far more employee data than most users realize and sell it to third parties such as advertising networks and data brokers.
Over the past couple of weeks, this blog post from tech company Incogni has been gaining traction.
The Upload: Does your organization have clear data standards and procedures? HR may need to partner with legal, security, and procurement teams to ensure responsible data use.
3. People Analytics Is in Demand — HR Isn’t Fully Trusted to Deliver It
The Download: Despite more C-suite demand for strong data analytics, confidence in HR’s ability to deliver results is lagging significantly.
A report from Mercer found that only about 27% of executives trust HR to effectively provide the people analytics insights they need.
The Upload: Does your C-suite expect your HR function to be data proficient? HR may need to work to better understand data’s limits, structure, and how it connects to business outcomes.
4. Invisible Interviewers: The Rise of AI-Led Hiring
The Download: Nearly two-thirds of job seekers (63%) have already been interviewed by an AI system, often as part of early-stage screening.
According to new research, transparency is lacking, with most candidates saying they are not clearly informed when AI is being used, with many only realizing it mid-process or after the fact.
The Upload: Do you use AI in your hiring practices? If so, transparency is key, including setting standards for when and how AI is used, and where human judgment must remain central.
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