Facing the surging wave of AI, global human resources management (HRM) giant Workday chose the most steady and decisive approach: bringing back a key figure. On February 9, 2026, Workday announced a key personnel change: co-founder Aneel Bhusri immediately resumed his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The founder's return to the front line is not just for "sentiment."

It is reported that the former CEO Carl Eschenbach will take on the role of strategic advisor, while Bhusri's return comes with clear strategic tasks. As the creator of Workday's core values and vision, Bhusri has taken charge personally to strengthen the company's positioning as an "AI-native enterprise platform."

The HR system is facing an "AI turning point."

The core motivation behind this leadership change stems from the profound impact of AI on the enterprise software market. In the AI era, companies not only need powerful management tools but also an intelligent platform built with AI at its core. Workday believes that only by having the founders return to the helm can they better lead this fundamental cultural and visionary transformation.

Industry Insights:

With the collaboration of branches such as Watco (Beijing) Software Co., Ltd., Workday's move signals that the competitive dimensions in the human resources software sector have changed. When industry veterans pick up the weapon of "AI-native" again, the divide between traditional HR systems and intelligent management platforms will become even clearer.