Hays said on August 20, 2026, that it is refocusing its business on higher-value roles in 16 countries and six global specialisms, and that it is targeting jobs where the potential impact from AI is lowest. In the same release, Hays said its Momentum strategy will invest in candidate search-and-match algorithms and AI agents.
According to Hays’ earnings release, dated August 20, 2026, the company launched its Momentum strategy on that date. The release says the strategy will focus on 16 countries and six global specialisms. It also says Hays will prioritize higher-value roles where the potential impact from AI is lowest.
The same release says Hays will invest in search-and-match algorithms and AI agents. The supplied sources do not identify how those tools will be used, whether they are new, or which parts of the hiring process they will support.
Bloomberg Law reported the same day that Hays would focus on roles harder to replace with artificial intelligence. Bloomberg Law also reported that Hays said the future is shaped by the potential impact of AI on jobs.
The supplied sources do not identify a headcount change, a closure of any business line, or a shift in the composition of Hays’ workforce. They also do not say that Hays has stopped serving other roles altogether. On the evidence supplied, the announcement is a stated refocusing, not a complete description of every business activity Hays may continue to perform.
Sources
- Hays PLC — Earnings Release 2026 — FinancialFilings
- Hays Shifts to Hard-to-Replace Roles as AI Reshapes Hiring — Bloomberg Law