(Yicai) Dec. 4 -- China has taken the lead in redefining the future of work, topping global trends, according to data from the latest report by International Workplace Group, the world’s largest hybrid workspace platform.

China is emerging as one of the world’s most advanced markets for workplace artificial intelligence, IWG said in its The World of Work in 2026: How Technology, Talent and Trust Will Redefine the Workplace report released on Dec. 2.

The AI adoption rate in China’s workplace is as high as 93 percent, well above the global average of 67 percent, with half of Chinese employees using AI tools as part of their daily routines, IWG said, quoting a separate study by Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler.

This shift towards AI is being accelerated by a new wave of inter-generational collaboration. Sixty-two percent of Gen Z employees are already coaching older colleagues on how to use AI to boost productivity and efficiency, data from the IWG report showed.

In turn, 77 percent of directors and senior directors said this has boosted productivity levels, while 80 percent said it unlocked new business opportunities.

“Capitalizing on this trend, employers will increasingly use AI and workplace analytics to create ‘personalized hybrid plans’ for each employee, including optimized schedules, ideal collaboration days, and preferred office or co-working locations,” Edward Hu, General Manager for IWG China, pointed out.

Gen Z, which accounts for 15 percent of China’s population, is reshaping workplace priorities with demand for flexibility, mental health support, and meaningful work that aligns with their core values. Businesses embracing these points will attract the next generation of leaders, while those that do not risk falling behind, IWG noted.

On flexible work, Hu said that companies of all sizes are moving away from loosely defined hybrid policies to more structured, multi-location models with teams increasingly empowered to work from more convenient places closer to home.

Chinese firms are also pioneering in this field. They are increasingly empowering their employees to work from co-working hubs, suburban centers, and emerging ‘15-minute living circles,’ which are part of the government’s plan to build 10,000 circles providing daily services within a walking distance of 15 minutes by 2030.

For example, Trip.Com launched a ‘3+2’ hybrid policy in 2022, allowing one or two optional remote days per week. This has benefited 70 percent of its staff, with over 630,000 remote workdays recorded, collectively saving about 1.25 million hours of commute time, according to data from the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report.

Others of the 10 new transformative trends for the workplace include fractional executive roles, the local loyalty effect, and the hospitality-infused office.

In China, fractional executive models have gained traction, especially in the financial sector, with small- and medium-sized insurance firms sharing senior chief financial officers to cut costs while retaining expertise.

“Continuous improvements in technology, including AI and new approaches to training and development, will be significant drivers of productivity, engagement, and loyalty, enabling companies to create a future-ready workforce and working environment that propels business growth,” said Mark Dixon, founder and chief executive officer of IWG.

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. With a presence in over 120 countries and more than 4,000 locations worldwide, it counts 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies among its clients. Its portfolio of leading brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ, and Signature, delivers comprehensive hybrid work solutions tailored to modern business needs.

Editor: Futura Costaglione