Transform 2026: The "Human + AI" Equation

I spent three days at Transform, where talent leaders shape the future of work. My goal was to learn about the real industry trends in the talent management space. More than anything, it was an opportunity to socialize with a global audience of over 4,000 peers and 350+ world-class speakers.

WorkTech Startups

Meeting various startups in person was inspiring and energizing. These companies are all thinking differently about how to make work easier.

CodeSignal is a standout AI-native skills measurement and development platform. It was interesting to learn that many former employees from Pymetrics (now Harver) have found a home there.

Aaron Wang, the CEO of Alex AI, gave a talk about how they are applying AI in Talent Acquisition. They aim to guarantee fairness by interviewing all candidates with a virtual AI Recruiter. One of the most alarming trends cited is that 1 in 4 candidates are fraudulent. The thought of bots interviewing other bots is wild.

Other notables included Spinach AI, an agentic note-taking company that turns mountains of conversational data into actionable workforce intelligence.

Catch Up AI, led by two brilliant PhD machine-learning specialists, focuses on autonomous performance and retention. Their tech predicts attrition, nudges managers, and boosts productivity.

Meanwhile, Jombay captures the entire talent management ecosystem within a single intelligence platform, and BetterEngineer is leading the way in recruitment for AI Engineering talent.

Venture Capitalists

The funding landscape revealed even deeper shifts. One of the most enlightening sessions was led by a panel from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sempervirens VC, Advance Venture Partners, and Recall Capital.

Picking winners in the evolving WorkTech space is tricky and difficult to predict. VCs are focusing on startups that solve the massive challenges businesses face today, rather than those that simply move data or tools.

The future will likely revolve around vendor pricing based on real business outcomes. There is tremendous value in solving complex problems, and what is more complex than humans?

Mental Health and Wellness

I was pleasantly surprised to see a large number of health-related companies at Transform.

eMed focuses on large-scale corporate wellness and weight loss programs featuring GLP-1 testing, with Tom Brady serving as their Chief Wellness Officer.

The Working Optimist focuses on positive psychology and neuroscience to help people and culture thrive.

I also met the team from Breakthru, which specializes in microbreaks to help recover energy and cognitive functioning. Their mission feels vital in our current burnout culture.

I am still searching for a good Transcendental Meditation (TM) Virtual AI Instructor. Apparently, not something easily replicated by Large Language Models (LLMs).

Fractional Leaders and Consultants

A major highlight for me was having lunch with a group of driven independent consultants. Many of them are fellow Hogan assessment-certified practitioners.

Sam Eaton from MindAbility is a true super connector in this space. There is a clear upward trend of talented professionals craving their own way in the business world.

Human + AI Equation

The next six months will continue to be disruptive. The world of work will be defined by those who continue to learn and adapt. The formula for future success seems to be talented people paired with brilliant agentic capabilities.

Now is the time for experimentation. Pilot your ideas. Challenge the status quo. Creative thinking isn't just for artists; it is the ability to find new and better ways to do anything.

Not every problem requires technology to solve it. Knowing yourself and others will remain a worthy endeavor. Your investment in a person or a team is always the most important decision you can make.

Random Conference Fun

At the very end of the conference on Day 3, there was a Busta Rhymes performance. Surrounded by other talent leaders from all over the world, listening to Busta sing his classics all the way back to '91 with the song Scenario made me pause and appreciate:

1) The passage of time

2) I'm too old for the nightclub scene in Las Vegas

3) Global connection and community are a wonderful thing

Thanks for the memories, Transform. See you in 2027!