Customers Share Why Rising Is the AI Event of The Year

What makes Workday Rising the AI event of the year? Beyond the keynotes, the labs, and the sessions, it's the 30,000+ HR, finance, and IT customers who come together every year to tackle shared challenges and shape the future of agentic AI. Rising exists because of our customers: their feedback shapes our roadmap, their wins inspire the community, and their challenges push us to innovate.

This year, customers like BMO and Intermountain Health will take center stage to show how agentic AI is transforming the way they hire, plan their workforce, run financial operations, and deliver IT support. The week closes with Kelly Clarkson headlining our Customer Appreciation Party, our thank-you for another year of building the future together.

And while the celebration is a highlight, it's not the reason Rising is the AI event of 2026. Here's why customers are excited for Rising this year.

1. ‘Peers who face the same challenges we do’ -Adi Shetty, Visa

“Workday Rising is where the future comes into focus,” said Adi Shetty, SVP and global head of people operations and systems at Visa. “Every year, my team connects with peers who face the same challenges we do and leaves with new ideas and a clearer view of the roadmap to bring back home to Visa.”

2. ‘Transforming how we manage our business’ -Asim Aleem, Midtown Athletic Clubs

"This year at Workday Rising, I’m most looking forward to seeing how Workday’s AI tools can make our workflows more efficient and effective, ultimately transforming how we manage our business," said Asim Aleem, Midtown Athletic Clubs CFO.

3. ‘Hearing announcements directly from Workday the moment they're made’ -Stacy Cornelius, CLEAResult 

“There's an undeniable excitement in hearing announcements directly from Workday the moment they're made—an energy you simply can't replicate anywhere else,” said Stacy Cornelius, CLEAResult senior manager of IT. “Walking into the opening keynote alongside 15,000 to 20,000 people who share your same goals is incredible. That electric atmosphere leaves you inspired to jump back into work, explore new solutions, and immediately apply what you've learned to your day-to-day operations.” 

4. ‘New contacts who understand what you're trying to build’ -James Choi, Unity

"The best moments at Workday Rising happen impromptu in the hallways and between sessions,” said James Choi, Unity’s global head of finance transformation and procurement. “Someone sits down next to you at lunch, you start comparing notes, and an hour later you've got new contacts who understand what you're trying to build. My LinkedIn is full of people I've met across five or six Risings, and I still lean on that network today." 

5. ‘Thinking differently about how technology can help your organization work better’ -Ted Ross, City of L.A.

“I’ve been to Workday Rising several times, and I always come away with new ideas. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other public sector leaders, hear how they’re tackling similar challenges, and learn how they’re getting more from their Workday investment,” said Ted Ross, CIO for the City of Los Angeles. “The conversations are practical, the community is very open, and you leave thinking differently about how technology can help your organization work better and improve services to the public.”

Ready to make the most of Rising? Workday leaders share an exclusive look at what's planned for this year's conference, and Ted Ross, CIO for the City of Los Angeles, offers the ultimate attendee's perspective—from networking tips to the sessions you can't miss. Watch the webinar on-demand.