UKG Turns Workforce Intelligence Into Action With New AI for the Frontline

New AI capabilities help CHROs address staffing gaps, simplify employees' daily work, and catch payroll problems before payday.

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UKG, the AI-first Workforce Operating Platform for HR, payroll, and workforce management, today announced new AI innovations that help CHROs turn workforce intelligence into action, addressing frontline challenges that can get in the way of productivity and performance — from staffing shortages and complicated HR requests to payroll errors that affect employees.

HR technology has helped businesses keep track of their workforce for decades. Now, organizations need systems that help them act on what they know. At HR Tech 2026 this week, UKG will show how workforce operations can help CHROs remove barriers to productivity, give managers more time to lead, and help frontline employees focus on the work that drives the business forward.

“Every hour spent chasing staffing gaps, navigating processes, or fixing pay errors is time taken away from serving customers and supporting employees,” said Gretchen Alarcon, SVP and General Manager of HCM and Pay at UKG. “We're giving businesses that time back, helping CHROs turn workforce intelligence into action so the frontline performs at its best.”

Finding People. Supporting Employees. Getting Pay Right.

For businesses with large frontline workforces, staffing gaps, administrative friction, and pay problems all reduce productivity and compromise trust. New UKG workforce intelligence and agentic AI capabilities are designed to help organizations:

• Stay ahead of staffing shortages: Recognize workforce gaps earlier and evaluate whether to hire, redeploy, or reskill employees.
• Help employees stay focused on productive work: Give frontline workers faster access to information and personalized support so they can focus on their job and wellbeing instead of HR processes.
• Catch payroll problems before payday: Identify unusual pay results, explain potential issues, and prepare corrections for payroll professionals to review.

UKG is also working to bring these capabilities into the AI tools employees and managers already use through extensible AI, giving people more choice in how they get work done while businesses maintain control over important workforce decisions.

“UKG empowers us with real time insight into what’s happening across our workforce, so we can make smarter, faster decisions,” said Martin Schmuckler, CHRO at Enhance Therapies. “We’re constantly looking at trends and using that data to figure out where we can improve. At the same time, employees can easily find what they need, and our teams can focus on supporting them and running the business effectively. Having a partner that responds and works with us makes a real difference.”

“The biggest risk in enterprise AI isn't moving too slowly. It's investing in technology that never changes how work gets done,” said Stacia Garr, co-founder and principal analyst at RedThread Research. “Organizations no longer have to settle for technology that simply helps them understand their workforce. With the right partner, they can start solving workforce challenges today — especially on the frontline, where better decisions can make an immediate difference.”

More than 80,000 organizations and 65 million employees across 150 countries use UKG® solutions. UKG was recently named a Leader in both the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for HCM Suites and the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Workforce Management. That combination of enterprise HCM, workforce management, and frontline expertise is central to UKG's approach to workforce operations.

Supporting Resources

• See how UKG can transform HR: Booth #4609 at HR Tech, taking place October 20-22.
• Learn how UKG is showcasing the CHRO’s Role in Advancing Frontline Workforce Performance.
• Learn more about UKG and our leading global AI platform for HR, pay, and workforce management.
• Follow UKG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What did UKG announce on October 19, 2026?

UKG, the AI-first Workforce Operating Platform for HR, payroll, and workforce management, announced new workforce intelligence and agentic AI capabilities for CHROs. They help organizations stay ahead of staffing shortages, give frontline employees faster access to information and support, and catch payroll problems before payday.

How does UKG's new AI help with staffing shortages?

UKG's workforce intelligence helps organizations recognize workforce gaps earlier. It also helps them evaluate whether to hire, redeploy, or reskill employees. The goal is to address staffing gaps before they hurt productivity.

How can AI catch payroll errors before payday?

UKG's new capabilities identify unusual pay results, explain potential issues, and prepare corrections. Payroll professionals review those corrections, so people stay in control of payroll decisions.

How does UKG AI support frontline employees?

UKG gives frontline workers faster access to information and personalized support. That lets them spend less time on HR processes and more time on their jobs and wellbeing.

What is workforce intelligence, and how is it different from workforce data?

Workforce data records what happened. Workforce intelligence explains why it happened, what it means, and what leaders should consider doing next. UKG's announcement focuses on helping CHROs act on that intelligence.

Will UKG's AI work inside the tools employees already use?

UKG is working to bring these capabilities into the AI tools employees and managers already use through extensible AI. This gives people more choice in how they get work done, while businesses keep control over important workforce decisions.

Who is this announcement for?

It's for CHROs and HR leaders at organizations with large frontline workforces. These organizations often face staffing gaps, administrative friction, and pay problems that reduce productivity and trust.

Where can I see UKG's new AI at HR Tech 2026?

Visit UKG at Booth #4609 at HR Tech, October 20-22, 2026.

How many organizations use UKG, and what do analysts say about it?

More than 80,000 organizations and 65 million employees across 150 countries use UKG solutions. UKG was recently named a Leader in both the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for HCM Suites and the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Workforce Management.

About UKG

UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform with unified HR, payroll, and workforce management, built to solve the unique challenges of frontline work. Powered by people-first AI and decades of labor data, UKG turns workforce intelligence into real-time decisions around staffing, pay, compliance, and productivity, enabling every worker to confidently take action as work happens. That’s why more than 80,000 organizations worldwide trust UKG to run their workforce — not just manage it. Learn more at ukg.com.

Copyright 2026 UKG Inc. All rights reserved. For a full list of UKG trademarks, please visit ukg.com/trademarks. All other trademarks, if any, are property of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change.