Global Hiring in 2026 : New Roles, New Technology, and New Challenges

Global Hiring in 2026 : New Roles, New Technology, and New ChallengesHost: Steve Boese and Trish SteedGuest: Lauren Thomas, Labor Economist at Deel SummaryOn this episode of the HR Happy Hour, Steve Boese and Trish Steed are joined by Lauren Thomas to discuss into the evolving landscape of global labor markets. They explore the role of technology and the emerging opportunities in AI-related roles. Lauren shares insights from Deel's recent State of Global Hiring Report, revealing how companies are prioritizing talent over cost and the growing significance of local expertise in international expansion. Listen in! Chapters00:00 Introduction to Global Hiring and Labor Market Trends04:08 Overview of Deel's Global Hiring Report and its Purpose08:40 Capability Gaps as a Driver for Hiring in Tech11:12 The Role of Soft Skills in Sales and Client Relation 18:22 Compensation Levels for AI Trainers22:53 The Potential Influence of AI and Technology on Job Markets29:28 Regional Hiring Trends and Diversity Across Different Markets31:16 Opportunities for Small and Mid-Sized Companies to Leverage Global Talent Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.Employees recognized for milestones are three times more likely to believe their company actually cares about them. Three times. So why are companies so bad at it? The stale bagels. The branded swag. The audacity. Workhuman believes milestones deserve their moment. A space for the people who know you best — your actual work circle — to reflect on your journey, your wins, your impact. The inside jokes. The big moments. All of it. It's called Service Milestones. AI finds the right people. Automation handles the rest. And employees choose their own reward — from millions of options, curated just for them. Milestone like you mean it with Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Find out more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.