Competitive advantage is now primarily less driven by technology differentiation and more by cultivating the human edge, as technology—especially AI—is replicable while humans are not.
Source
2026 Global Human Capital TrendsOriginal Quote
Competitive advantage is now primarily less driven by technology differentiation and more by cultivating the human edge. Technology—especially something as increasingly ubiquitous as AI—is replicable. People aren't.
Outlook
OptimisticThe claim implies that organizations investing in human capabilities will outperform those focused solely on technology, suggesting a positive outcome for human workers and organizations that prioritize them.
The use of 'now' indicates the shift is already occurring, implying an imminent or current timeframe.
Stated as a direct, unhedged assertion, implying high confidence.
About the Author
Shannon Poynton is a Senior Manager (recently admitted to the Deloitte partnership) in Deloitte Consulting LLP's Human Capital practice, where she advises global clients on organization, workforce, culture, and strategic change solutions, and is a co-author of Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends report.
Across 10 tracked claims, Shannon Poynton, Jason Flynn, Nicole Scoble-Williams, Victor Reyes, David Mallon, Sue Cantrell skews neutral.