Technology disruption
AI and digital transformation are rewriting job descriptions faster than organisations can adapt.
National Research Study & Excellence Awards 2026
Building AI-ready
Workplaces
A national research initiative by National HRD Network and WTW to understand how organisations across India are preparing for the future of work — and to recognise those setting new benchmarks.
Submissions close 16 October 2026
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- 85 Mn+
- jobs displaced by automation
- 40%
- of core skills obsolete in under 5 years
- 67%
- of Indian CEOs cite talent gaps as the #1 growth barrier
Source: World Economic Forum
The question is no longer whether organisations need to adapt
AI, automation, evolving skills, multi-generational workforces and new ways of working are reshaping how organisations create value and build talent. What matters now is how effectively they are preparing for what comes next.
Multi-generational workforce
Five generations at work simultaneously, each with distinct expectations of growth and leadership.
Skills obsolescence
The shelf-life of a skill has fallen below five years. Reskilling at scale is a survival imperative.
AI redefining HR
From talent acquisition to workforce planning, AI is transforming every dimension of human capital.
What we will study
Three pillars of enquiry
01
Pillar One
Unlocking Productivity & Efficiency
Driving digital transformation of work and processes to enhance productivity, efficiency and business performance.
- Business model adaptability & digital readiness
- AI disruption, process automation maturity & governance
- Workforce composition strategy (gig, hybrid, contract)
Productivity and Efficiency Excellence Award
02
Pillar Two
Building People Capability
Building future-ready workforce capabilities through innovative learning, reskilling and AI-enabled talent practices.
- Skills taxonomy refresh & future skills mapping
- L&D investment priorities & ROI measurement
- Learning culture, reskilling & upskilling effectiveness
- Leadership capability pipeline for the future
People Capability Excellence Award
03
Pillar Three
Driving AI in HR
Enhancing employee experience, talent outcomes and HR effectiveness through responsible AI adoption.
- AI adoption across key HR processes
- Data governance, ethics & AI accountability
- Impact on HR workforce & capability requirements
- ROI realisation & change management for AI in HR
AI in HR Excellence Award
Recognition
Excellence Awards 2026
Based on the research, organisations reimagining how work gets done will be recognised across three award categories.
01
Productivity and Efficiency Excellence Award
02
People Capability Excellence Award
03
AI in HR Excellence Award
Why participate?
- Benchmark against future-ready workplaces and understand industry practices
- Gain actionable insights to strengthen your AI and future-of-work agenda
- Identify opportunities across productivity, capability building and AI adoption
- Earn national recognition for innovative workplace practices
- Strengthen your employer brand and employee value proposition
- Showcase future-ready practices through the National HRD Network platform
Participation categories
Open to organisations across India, grouped by employee strength. Participation fee is shown for National HRD Network members and non-members.
CategoryMemberNon-member
- Nexus10,000+ employees
- ₹50,000
- ₹55,000
- Prism3,001–10,000 employees
- ₹30,000
- ₹45,000
- Anchor750–3,000 employees
- ₹20,000
- ₹25,000
- PulseBelow 750 employees
- ₹10,000
- ₹15,000
Fees are exclusive of applicable taxes. For queries, write to WTWIndia@wtwco.com.
Register your organisationKey dates
- 1Step 01
24 August 2026
Launch
- 2Step 02
16 October 2026
Questionnaire & case study submission
- 3Step 03
November 2026
Jury review
- 4Step 04
December 2026
Research report launch & awards ceremony
Contact us
Have questions about participation, nominations or the research study? Reach out — we're happy to help your organisation get involved.
Neha Nagpal
Director Operations
National HRD Network – Global Centre for Leadership Development
Get in touch
Ready to participate?
Register your organisation for the research study and awards. Our team will guide you through the submission process.
Be recognised as an AI-ready Workplace
Join organisations across India in this national conversation on the future of work.
Participate in the study