On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Dr. Richardson (Chief Economist, ADP (Automatic Data Processing)) released the highly anticipated ADP National Employment Report for December 2025. While this is a scheduled monthly event, this specific release was exceptional for three reasons:
Settling the "AI Displacement" Debate: The data released on this morning provided the first definitive statistical proof that the "AI Jobpocalypse" feared in 2024–25 had not materialized. Instead, Richardson presented a new data category—"AI-Augmented Roles"—showing a 14% surge in mid-level hiring, effectively calming global markets that were pricing in a labor collapse.
Market-Moving Accuracy: With the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report delayed due to the holiday schedule, Richardson’s report became the sole "truth" for Wall Street that week. Her precise algorithm correctly predicted a "Soft Landing" for the US economy, triggering a 400-point rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average by midday.
Redefining Economic Metrics: She used this platform to debut ADP’s new "Skills-Based Pay Index," moving the conversation away from simple "hourly wage growth" to "skills premium." This shift forced HR leaders worldwide to re-evaluate compensation strategies for 2026, prioritizing capability over tenure for the first time in a major economic index.
