Artificial intelligence is accelerating workplace processes at a remarkable pace, while the human experience of work presents a more complicated picture. Gartner projects worldwide spending on AI models and platforms to reach $64.3 billion in 2026, while Gallup reports that global employee engagement stood at 20% in 2025. The two findings point to a workplace where digital capabilities are expanding, while attention, engagement, and human connection are declining.
At the same time, organizations continue to invest in opportunities for people to come together in person. The Events Industry Council, in partnership with Oxford Economics, found that business events brought together 1.65 billion participants across more than 180 countries in 2025, generating $1.3 trillion in direct spending.
