What’s Next for #HRLeaders? Unlocking Insights on the Future of Work and AI at #RichmondHR

7 min readJun 28, 2024

Talking at Richmond HR Navigating the Future of Work with AI

It was a true honour to have been asked last year to talk about AI at Richmond Events Human Resources Forum. As they welcomed 140+ HR Leaders to The Grove Hotel for their 33rd annual Forum.

A two day learning extravaganza for HR leaders included a tailored mix of keynote sessions, supplier connections, networking opportunities, industry sessions and roundtable discussion. As well as my AI training session — which more than 50 people from different organisations attended. Which some people thought was

“The most engaging of the all the sessions”

WHY DID RICHMOND EVENTS HIRE ME?

Last year, as you might know, I worked with a company called Your FLOCK, which pivoted into AI, gaining significant funding for building an AI model around company values. I was actually the co-founder with Michal. My 5 years experience in AI has led me to speak at various platforms, including TEDx, and author books on the subject. Including one purely around company cultures called — HYBRID AND HAPPY

I have now been public speaking about the future of work and technology for over a decade. And if you think about AI in terms like digital transformation. I have been evangelising for this for almost two!!!

In my latest book, “The New Intelligence,” I argue that AI is propelling us into the Fifth Industrial Revolution. This is something that I believe will change not just the world of HR but the whole world. This is why Richmond events wanted me to talk about in my training session called:

“A SPOTLIGHT ONTO AI.”

Extensive advancements in AI are reshaping our world, especially in the workplace. From automating mundane tasks to enhancing creativity and productivity, AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. In this blog, we will explore AI’s transformative impact on the future of work, discussing the benefits, risks, and how to navigate this new era intelligently. As with my training session I only had 45 minutes and so we couldn’t cover everything…

The Fifth Industrial Revolution, driven by AI and new intelligences, presents both challenges and opportunities. One significant feature of this revolution is the shift towards hybrid work environments. The initial transition to hybrid work was necessitated by the global pandemic but has since revealed deeper insights into workforce dynamics. While hybrid work has been shown to improve retention and performance, it also comes with increased productivity pressures and disengagement issues. It’s a double-edged sword; flexibility can boost productivity, but it can also lead to a weakening employee contract and increased disengagement.

The structured hybrid model, which shows a split between full-time office work and fully flexible work, indicates a potential way forward. However, merely adopting hybrid work isn’t enough. There’s a pressing need to

“Bring the humane back to human resources”
(Dan Sodergren 2022)

This involves integrating new intelligences, including AI, to foster a more caring and efficient workplace. Countries like Sweden have tackled worker dissatisfaction through policies on flexible working hours and subsidized childcare, providing a model that emphasizes the importance of balancing work and life.

The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Potential

The rapid advancement in AI technologies has set the stage for the Fifth Industrial Revolution. AI’s ability to perform tasks more efficiently and adapt over time is unparalleled. For example, ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just 72 days, demonstrating its enormous potential. Initially, AI was limited in its capabilities, but recent developments have shown its increasing proficiency, even surpassing human performance in areas like medical diagnosis and legal expertise.

However, AI’s true value lies in its ability to enhance human potential. While it can significantly improve the productivity of average performers, it has a limited impact on the top 1% in any field. This indicates that the future belongs to those who can leverage AI while independently thinking and maintaining emotional intelligence. As we navigate this new landscape, the emphasis should be on using AI as a tool to complement human skills rather than replace them. This approach will ensure a more balanced and effective integration of AI into various industries.

Embracing Core Values for a Future-Proof Work Environment

Values are the heartbeat of any successful HR strategy. As we navigate an ever-evolving workplace, understanding and embracing core values becomes crucial. The pandemic catalysed a rapid shift to hybrid work models, highlighting the importance of flexibility and autonomy. These attributes are tied deeply to organisational values, which influence employee engagement, retention, and overall job satisfaction.

Integrating values into HR practices isn’t just about moral alignment — it’s about solidifying the foundation of your company’s culture. When employees resonate with their organization’s values, they are more likely to stay committed and productive. This seamless alignment between personal and corporate values can propel a business towards greater innovation and resilience, particularly as we move further into the age of AI and digital transformation.

By fostering a culture rooted in strong values, companies can attract top talent and adapt to future challenges. This is what Bruce Daisley talked about in his great keynote talk before my session — that human connection it is the glue that holds innovation the human side of a work helps people to connect to their jobs and to each other. As we shift into new eras like the fifth industrial revolution, these values become the backbone of creativity and survival in the constantly changing work environment.

Values are not just buzzwords — they are the principles that hold teams together. They foster trust and cultivate a sense of belonging. When aligned with technology like AI, these values can propel businesses into the future without losing the human touch that keeps us grounded.

Working with Richmond Events.

It was great to work with Richmond Events on this and meet so many wonderful people. The message of making sure we embrace AI and data was so well received that it shows how far HR as a sector has come. As everyone in HR knows — embracing the value of values in HR and the evolving workplace is not just a trend; it is a necessity. But what we all have to understand is that technology is key to helping us do this.

As HR leaders and people our jobs, augmented by AI, might become more technical than ever but as we stand on the brink of new technological revolutions, we must ground ourselves in our values.

This ensures that we do not lose the essence of what makes a workplace truly dynamic and innovative. So, let’s prioritise our values as we navigate through these exciting times. This approach will not only retain talent but also drive our workforce to new heights of success and satisfaction. I truly believe that AI is key to this being possible. How it happens will be different for every company.

But the big question I was asked after my AI training session was…. Will technology replace the human element in work? My answer is that technology, including AI, boosts efficiency and productivity for key workers who embrace it but cannot FULLY replace the human connections that foster creativity and satisfaction.

As the old saying goes — as Claire Koryczan quoted in her session.