AI Set to Reshape Recruitment, Well-Being and Team Structures by 2040
AI could soon hire employees, deliver personalised wellness plans and assign tasks, according to a new foresight study from the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE).
16 Disruptive Shifts Identified
The Emerging Trends Report in Talent Management (2024–2040) highlights 16 major shifts set to transform public sector work. These include AI-driven hiring, XR-based training, decentralised teams and predictive attrition tools.
The study draws on global horizon scanning and insights from the Futures Platform. This intelligence tool tracks over 1,000 signals of change across industries. DGE combined these findings with internal analysis to help employers and policymakers rethink recruitment, engagement and workforce planning.
Call to Action for Government Leaders
Her Excellency Ruba Yousef Al Hassan, Director General of Strategic Affairs and Future Foresight at DGE, stated:
“In times of rapid change, governments cannot afford to react — we must lead. Spotting trends is simple; building systems to prepare people is where the real work lies. At DGE, we see talent as the foundation of every organisation. This report urges us to equip the workforce with future-ready skills, mindsets and tools while keeping people at the heart of public service transformation.”
Practical Guidance for Employers
Unlike typical trend reports, the Emerging Trends Report pairs each trend with actionable recommendations. These insights help policymakers, HR leaders and employers plan effectively for what’s ahead.
DGE has already applied several findings through new programmes. These include AI-powered talent mapping, predictive attrition analytics and succession planning tools. The AI Accelerator Programme and the AI-powered Objective Builder are also helping public sector teams set clearer goals while reducing administrative effort.
Three Key Focus Areas
The report groups its findings into three themes to help leaders manage future disruption:
AI & Tech
AI-driven hiring, immersive XR learning and gamified workplaces.
AI is transforming recruitment through data-led decision-making. Extended reality (XR) is improving training and collaboration. Game-like features such as leaderboards and achievement badges are boosting workplace engagement and productivity.
Workplace Culture
Decentralised teams and AI-supported employee wellbeing.
Autonomous, self-managed teams are becoming more common. Wellbeing strategies are also evolving, with AI-powered tools offering personalised support.
Organisational Shifts
Increased demand for data scientists, a focus on skills over degrees and more early retirees.
A growing reliance on AI and data is driving up demand for data scientists. Employers are placing greater value on skills and achievements than formal qualifications. More professionals in their 30s and 40s are choosing non-traditional career paths in pursuit of flexibility and purpose.
New Thinking for Future Workforce Planning
The report also introduces novel ideas like collective intelligence. This encourages leaders to stress-test plans against unexpected, high-impact developments. An interactive tool helps readers assess each trend’s potential impact and uncertainty, supporting better decision-making.
Ongoing Integration Across Government
DGE will continue to embed these insights across government workforce planning, education and AI integration. The goal is to foster a talent-driven, agile and resilient public sector while helping government entities attract and retain top talent.
This study marks the first in a foresight series from DGE’s Strategic Affairs and Future Foresight function. The series supports Abu Dhabi Government’s mission to build a unified, data-driven and people-centred ecosystem.
