I recently attended the CWS Summit in Dallas, where workforce leaders gathered to discuss the future of contingent talent. My biggest takeaway was not a new trend or technology, but the clear shift from talking about change to taking action.
One takeaway stood out above all others: people aren’t waiting around to figure out what they should do next. The summit, as expected, featured plenty of familiar topics such as AI, reskilling, contingent workforce management, and workforce risk. Yet, what struck my team the most was the overall tone, even compared to last year. People already know change is here. Now, they’re focused on how to navigate it.
Workforce Risk Remains a Top Priority
Across sessions and conversations on the show floor, workforce risk emerged as a recurring theme. Much like last year, resume fraud, candidate verification, compliance requirements, employee relations, and broader workforce governance concerns were all top of mind for attendees. Several attendees shared that they are actively evaluating new approaches to candidate verification and workforce governance as hiring fraud continues to rise.
We’ve covered these topics at length this past year, and they’re still as relevant as ever.
Organizations Are Rethinking Their Workforce Programs
Another trend that surfaced repeatedly was the drive to improve contingent workforce programs. Some organizations are evaluating managed service provider (MSP) models for the first time, while others are looking for ways to optimize existing programs and improve talent access.
The focus wasn't on large-scale transformation, but on practical steps organizations can take today to strengthen their workforce programs.
AI Conversations Are Becoming More Practical, Too
AI was certainly part of the discussion, as was reskilling, but neither topic dominated the event. Instead, these conversations were often viewed through the lens of implementation and workforce outcomes.
What I heard was less discussion about future possibilities and more focus on current business improvements. Organizations are trying to determine where technology can create meaningful value and what investments will have the greatest impact. Those are very different conversations than we were having just a year or two ago.
Optimism Was the Strongest Signal
If I had to identify the theme that connected nearly every conversation at CWS, it would be optimism. You could really feel it this time around. That doesn't mean attendees were ignoring challenges or underestimating the major changes that AI has brought to our industry, but there was a clear sense that people were trying to figure out next steps on a pragmatic level.
Looking Ahead
If this year's summit revealed anything, it's that organizations are moving beyond workforce strategy discussions and toward implementation. The focus is shifting from exploring possibilities to achieving measurable outcomes, whether through stronger governance, optimized workforce programs, or targeted technology investments.
Many of the topics discussed at CWS Summit are explored in our new Staffing in the Age of AI infographic. We look at key workforce trends and practical considerations for organizations navigating today's talent landscape.
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