New EY research finds people factors and HR teams are make-or-break elements as M&A deal activity surges in 2026.

As orgs adopt borderless hiring strategies, the gap between global expansion and governance requirements becomes a leadership challenge.

"In a world where AI can help nearly everyone be productive faster, the real differentiator becomes whether an organization is still advancing its people: whether employees are learning to think critically," says Stephanie Larson of Seramount.