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How AI, personalization and smarter communication are reshaping the employee experience
Employee engagement is entering a new era in 2026, and Alight is at the forefront of this transformation. As organizations adapt to hybrid work environments, rising expectations, and rapid technological innovation, leading companies are leveraging personalized, data-driven, and AI-powered approaches to truly connect with their teams.
At Alight, we empower employers to stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge solutions built into the Alight Worklife® platform, driving real results and creating effortless, impactful employee experiences. Discover the top trends shaping engagement this year — and see how you can make them work for your organization.
AI-powered tools: Transforming the employee experience
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept, it’s here, and it’s changing how employees interact with benefits and workplace resources. Yet for many employers, the question isn’t just what AI can do, but where to start.
- AI benefits assistants
- Guide employees through eligibility and enrollment with step-by-step support.
- Answer real-time questions and provide personal recommendations that drive confident, informed decisions.
- Seamlessly integrate into platforms like Alight Worklife for instant, intuitive access.
- AI avatars in personalized video
- Deliver branded, engaging benefits messages that feel human and approachable.
- Simplify complex topics — ideal for guiding employees through plan changes and seeing the value in new programs.
- Integrate personal data points (e.g., 401(k) balance/contribution rate, HSA balance, time off balance) to boost relevance, increase engagement and drive meaningful action.
- Internal GPT-style knowledge tools
- Seamlessly integrate into platforms like Alight Worklife for instant, intuitive access. Crawl and index company knowledge bases and microsites to centralize information.
- Provide quick, relevant answers to support global teams in real time.
- Streamline access to trusted content, reducing complexity and improving efficiency.
The future of benefits with AI
This series of videos will give you a peek into the future of Alight’s AI. See technology that doesn’t just adapt to change, it anticipates it—one intelligent insight at a time.
Personalization: The antidote to information overload
Employees want content tailored to their needs, and leading organizations deliver through interactive tools and global platforms.
- Build-your-own benefits guides
- Interactive tools that boost engagement by letting employees choose topics most relevant to their needs.
- Instant access to curated content reduces complexity and streamlines information.
- Global benefits microsites
- Centralized, company-branded, multilingual platforms designed to serve global workforces and their families.
- Consistent, seamless experience worldwide delivering clear, current and timely benefits information — accessible anytime, anywhere.
- Curated content, providing global program information and localized resources.
Multi-channel communication strategies that reach everyone
Meeting employees where they are — whether on the line, in the office, or working remotely — is essential. To maximize reach and impact, organizations should deploy multi-channel communication strategies, including:
- Editorial calendars to plan and coordinate messaging throughout the year.
- Homepage targeting for personalized updates.
- Mobile-first outreach, such as text messages and app notifications, to engage frontline and remote workers.
By leveraging these tactics, companies can ensure timely, relevant information is delivered to every employee, driving higher engagement and response rates.
Impact in action: Personalized outreach campaigns, such as beneficiary updates, have achieved measurable success.
One recent effort saw a 13% response rate and 1,200+ updates, far surpassing typical engagement levels.
Employee wellbeing: A top priority
Employee wellbeing remains a top priority for leading organizations, with continued focus on mental health and preventive care.
Mental health & well-being initiatives
The promotion of emotional resilience to support remote and hybrid teams
Wellness events and keynote speakers to inspire and educate
Community connection to strengthen engagement and belonging
Preventive care campaigns
Employee engagement is evolving beyond connection to embrace care with preventive health initiatives emerging as a cornerstone of workforce wellbeing — a catalyst for a shift from reactive to proactive health strategies.
Early detection and better health outcomes by the promotion of regular checkups and screenings
Improved productivity and performance by the promotion of healthy behaviors and self-care
Reinforcement of company culture and well-being
Targeted messaging for when employees need access to care
Impact in action: A recent preventive care campaign resulted in a 370% increase in employee participation, with over 20% of the workforce taking proactive health actions such as scheduling checkups and screenings.
These outcomes, based on internal claims data, highlight the power of targeted outreach and personalized messaging to drive meaningful engagement and improve health outcomes.
Looking ahead
Innovative solutions such as AI avatars and preference-driven surveys are currently being piloted by leading organizations. Early feedback shows increased employee engagement and satisfaction, but broader adoption will depend on demonstrating measurable results. As these tools mature, sharing best practices and success stories will be essential for inspiring broader engagement.
