LOWELL, Mass. – UKG, a global leader in HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions, today unveiled its vision for the future of work with the announcement of its Workforce Operating Platform. The company is set to showcase the new “system of action” through live demonstrations and keynote sessions at the upcoming UNLEASH America 2026 and TRANSFORM 2026 conferences.
Designed specifically for complex, frontline-heavy environments, the Workforce Operating Platform leverages agentic and assistive AI to transform billions of real-time workforce signals into actionable intelligence. Unlike traditional HR software that functions as a system of record, UKG’s new platform acts as a proactive guide for managers—helping them anticipate risks like attrition and overtime costs before they impact operations.
Moving Beyond “AI Features”
According to UKG, the industry is moving past simple AI add-ons toward deeply embedded intelligence.
“Enterprise organizations don’t need more AI features. They need AI embedded into the core of how work gets done,” said Gretchen Alarcon, General Manager and SVP of Enterprise HCM solutions at UKG. “Our Workforce Operating Platform unifies HR, payroll, and workforce management into a governed system that delivers real-time intelligence where it matters most: in the hands of leaders making mission-critical decisions.”
The platform supports a suite of specialized tools within the UKG Pro HCM ecosystem, including:
- UKG Talent Marketplace: An AI-driven skills engine to boost career mobility and address labor shortages.
- UKG Talk: A communication hub designed to connect frontline workers across different shifts and locations.
- UKG Employee Voice: A tool using natural language processing to link employee sentiment directly to operational performance.
A Performance Catalyst
The announcement comes as UKG partners with Mercer to sponsor the UNLEASH AI Summit on March 17. The collaboration will explore how agentic AI can serve as a “performance catalyst,” allowing businesses to shift from reactive tactics to proactive execution.
“The organizations pulling ahead are those using intelligent systems to anticipate disruption,” said Jess Von Bank, Global Leader at Mercer. “The future belongs to those who ground decisions in workforce intelligence.”
Catch UKG in Action
Industry professionals can see the new platform first-hand at:
- UNLEASH America (Booth #732): Featuring sessions on rethinking work design and real-time decision-making on March 17-18.
- TRANSFORM (Booth #343): Where UKG’s Julie Develin will lead a discussion on redesigning work around emerging AI on March 24.
With over 80,000 customers worldwide, UKG’s latest release signals a major push to maintain its leadership in the competitive HCM market by focusing on the operational needs of the global frontline workforce.
