GCCs to Evolve into Strategic Headquarters by 2026: ANSR
The report suggests AI-enabled centres are emerging with smaller teams and higher per-employee costs, shifting focus from labour savings to capability differentiation.
Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are poised to undergo a significant transformation, shifting from traditional execution hubs to strategic headquarters for global talent, innovation, and enterprise leadership, according to ANSR’s latest report, “GCC HR Predictions 2026”.
The report, which aggregates insights from HR leaders at major corporations like Delta Air Lines, FedEx, and Societe Generale, highlights a move towards dynamic “skills-first” operating models, where capability density becomes the key metric for measuring GCC maturity.
Leaders emphasise the importance of translating technical talent into tangible business impact and customer empathy, with AI playing a crucial role in compressing delivery times and enabling human-centric processes.
The report also notes a shift towards AI-enabled centres with lower headcounts but higher cost per employee, as AI changes the value proposition from labour arbitrage to capability differentiation.
The new report aggregates critical insights and forward-looking strategies from senior executives at major corporations including Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Diageo, Kenvue, Northern Tool + Equipment, Saks, and Societe Generale.
A central theme emerging from these leaders is the transition from rigid, role-based hierarchies to dynamic “skills-first” operating models. The analysis suggests that by 2026, the maturity of a Global Capability Centre will no longer be measured simply by headcount growth or cost savings, but by “capability density”—the ability to rapidly assemble cross-
The publication also deeply analyses the changing role of artificial intelligence in the workforce.
