Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2026. Read them in this 18th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
By Mitch Berk, AI Council Chair & Senior Director of Product, Omnissa
The landscape of employee productivity has undergone a seismic transformation over the past two decades, shifting from desktop-only workspaces to mobile-first strategies and, more recently, to flexible “work-from-anywhere” models. Now, the next frontier in End User Computing (EUC) introduces both opportunities and challenges: leveraging AI to enable innovation, elevate employee enablement, and boost productivity, all while ensuring robust security and compliance frameworks.
But this evolution requires more than just technological upgrades, instead demanding a cultural and mindset shift. Organizations need to embrace AI as a technology to empower employees to focus on differentiated, high-value work, while delegating routine tasks and administration to AI.
Evolving from Tools to Transformative Workflows
For years, traditional EUC solutions have largely focused on system performance and application functionality, rooted in the belief that if tools run smoothly, employees can perform well. While this principle still holds, it no longer addresses the broader realities of today’s workplaces. AI is fundamentally reshaping workflows by automating repetitive processes and augmenting decision-making, enabling employees to tackle challenges that create real business differentiation.
AI systems are no longer limited to assisting with simple tasks like scheduling or data management; they’re central to how business is done. These tools now play a critical role in strategic activities, such as conducting complex analyses, drafting nuanced communications, and supporting key business decisions. As a result, EUC has to expand beyond its traditional boundaries, moving beyond monitoring tools and devices to holistically consider how AI fosters enablement and productivity.
So, IT leaders have to rethink the definition of success in the context of EUC. Metrics that once revolved around uptime or response times must now incorporate measures that reflect the deeper impact of AI on outcomes such as employee engagement, innovation, and operational efficiency.
The rise of AI-powered tools brings not only significant opportunities but also unique risks. AI systems, unlike traditional applications, require careful oversight to ensure their outcomes align with business objectives. These systems interpret inputs, make recommendations, and even influence decision-making, which introduces challenges in areas like governance, security, compliance, and ethical use.
To navigate these complexities, IT leaders should already be rethinking the role of EUC as a strategic enabler. AI systems need careful monitoring to ensure they deliver value while maintaining trust and reliability. Security and compliance add additional layers of responsibility, as organizations must meet rigorous privacy regulations and ethical standards. Without proper oversight, AI-powered tools could unintentionally expose enterprises to risks, such as biased results,regulatory violations, or data leakage, that undermine their credibility and effectiveness.
Effective EUC strategies have to strike a delicate balance: protecting sensitive data and interactions while fostering an environment of flexibility and innovation.
Balancing Technology with Human Ingenuity
As AI-powered workflows become increasingly standard across industries, the focus shifts from just adopting technology to strategically integrating it in ways that preserve and enhance human thinking and decision-making. Leaders and IT decision-makers have the opportunity to shape this future by embedding AI thoughtfully into their business, ensuring these tools serve as enablers – rather than replacements – of human ingenuity.
It also means ongoing assessment to ensure AI applications remain aligned with evolving business goals, regulatory frameworks, employee needs, and rapidly evolving technology innovations. By fostering confidence in AI tools and encouraging responsible usage, organizations can reduce risks like unintentional bias or over-reliance on automated outputs.
By guiding employees to focus on their most impactful work and empowering them with transformative tools, enterprises can redefine productivity, build resilience, unlock innovation at scale, and attract and retain industry leading talent.
The Future of EUC: AI as a Strategic Enabler
The future of EUC lies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human-centered design. AI-powered systems have the potential to revolutionize how colleagues ideate, collaborate, and execute . IT leaders need to adapt EUC frameworks to accommodate AI’s transformative powers, ensuring they responsibly optimize its role in shaping the workplace of tomorrow.
This transition is ultimately about enabling employees to do their best work. By harnessing AI strategically, organizations can unlock new levels of productivity and engagement, positioning themselves for sustained success in this rapidly evolving era. Those who act now to integrate AI-resilient strategies will not only build competitive advantages but also foster a culture that thrives on innovation and impact. The best human-centric EUC tools will support a collaborative and efficient work force, which will build an innovative culture, which will attract the best talent, which all grows the business.
##
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mitch Berk is the Senior Director, Product Management for Platform Services and AI at Omnissa, where he is responsible for the strategy and delivery of the platform that power Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), Digital Employee Experience (DEX), and Horizon, including AI (Omni, agentic), data & analytics (Intelligence), orchestration (Freestyle), identity, administration (Connect), and customer experience. Mitch is also chair of the Omnissa AI Council, setting strategy and governance for the AI used by Omnissa employees and in Omnissa products. Mitch has over 15 years of leadership experience in Enterprise Mobility and over two decades of experience in enterprise software.
