WHAT THE DATA SAY: 2 of 3 hiring managers plan to increase headcount this year

HIRING OUTLOOK IMPROVES

Hiring managers are optimistic entering 2026, yet technology and skill gaps will continue disrupting employment, according to our Harris Poll study with Express Employment Professionals.

• 85% of hiring managers report a positive outlook for the year ahead.
• 2 out of 3 plan to increase headcount in the first half of 2026, focused on market expansion (38%) and seeking new skill sets (38%).
• 83% are willing to use contingent workers to meet business needs.
• 36% have open positions they can't fill.
• Fewer companies are planning to hire students (33%) and retirees (10%).
• Increased use of technology (39%) and not replacing employees who leave (33%) are the top reasons for reducing staff.
• 91% of hiring managers expect employment obstacles in 2026, including AI related complexities (46%), finding qualified candidates (40%) and increased competition for talent (28%).
• See also: Gen Z is sick of working from home

AI APPROVAL GAP

The general public is more weary of AI use than corporate America, according to our Harris Poll report with JUST Capital.

• 80% of investors and 93% of executives see positive effects of AI use, yet only 58% of the general public agrees.
• 81% say business leaders have a responsibility to address the ethical use of AI.
• All parties agree AI-generated content needs to be watermarked: 86% of executives, 84% of investors and 78% of the general public.
• 90% say it is critical that companies ensure AI training and development are available to employees.

AI AS THE MARKETING CONNECTIVE TISSUE

B2B marketers are embracing AI to focus on customer experience and brand building, according to our Harris Poll survey with Madison Logic.

• 55% expect AI to reshape how strategies are developed and executed.
• 45% believe AI-powered search and assistants will dramatically change how customers discover brands.
• 33% say customer experience will be the key differentiator for growth.
• See also: 2026 will be the year marketers rediscover the basics

FINANCIAL SECURITY DOWN

Women and lower earners are feeling worse about the state of the economy, according to our Harris Poll survey with The Guardian.

• 45% of Americans say their financial security is worse (20% say better).
• 57% say the U.S. economy is in a recession - up 11% since last February.
• Women are less confident than men: 62% believe the U.S. is experiencing a recession, and 50% believe their financial security is worse (versus 52% of men who see a recession and 39% of men who say their financial security is worse).
• 59% of those making less than $50,000 a year say their financial situation is becoming worse, compared with 37% of those making more than $100,000.
• See also: Men More Financially Confident in the New Year

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