How to tame the Four Horsemen of AI transformation at #LBS

Ok! Day 1 at UNLEASH World in Paris is officially in the bag and what a powerful start! 🚀 Amy Coleman kicked off the conference reminding us that on our worst days we are all building tools to help HR perform, on our best days we are all empowering people leaders to improve the business. So right! She also reminded us: 🌟 Imperfection helps us accelerate delivery. Fail. Learn. Win. I love that. 💡 The more we talk about AI the more we need to talk about people. 🌍 In the current world or work we can’t give people certainty. Things move too fast for that. What we can give them is Curiosity, Humility, Judgement and Trust. 🤖 In other news, robots are not about to physically take over the world, although they are looking more and more human, check out the video of Ameca, along with slightly weird facial expressions! 🎓 Obviously, everyone is talking AI. From the many stages and booths it was clear that an overriding theme (for those doing it right) is that AI is not only about automation but about amplification of human potential, enabling smarter decisions and deeper connection. 😎 Heading into Day 2 I’m especially looking forward to sessions around the manager experience and leadership in blended work environments. If you’re here too, drop me a message and let’s share what we’re learning. #UNLEASHWorld #HRInnovation #WorkTech #EmployeeExperience #Perceptyx

Let’s wrap up this week with some takeaways from UNLEASH in Paris, an incredible event! Josh Bersin opened with a bold keynote, showing how AI is shaking up the foundations of work and learning. We also know that, despite over $1 trillion invested by AI companies in 2025, the real impact and productivity gains remain limited (MIT, 2025). We haven’t been able yet to use AI effectively or design workflows that truly harness its potential. One of the key messages: true transformation shouldn’t be technology-driven, but still human-driven. So, 🟢 Redesign work (and don’t talk about ‘jobs’, talk about ‘tasks’ (Daniel Susskind) 🟢 Focus on leadership, the engine for change. Who can lead uncertainty? 🟢 Create an environment for continuous, skills-based learning and develop your ‘Superworkers’. .. this all with AI as enabler. And as another reminder to ourselves from Amy Coleman (Microsoft): Experiment, and Accelerate the learning loop. Perfection slows us down, keep iterating, listen, test, fail, and learn fast. So let’s go! Prepare for what’s next, not just what’s now 🌍 #UNLEASHWorld #HRcommunity #FutureofWork #Learning

🎤 Took the mic today at #UNLEASHWorld2025 to share my highlights from an incredible few days in Paris, where AI, HR, and the future of work truly came alive. What stood out most to me? The more we talk about AI, the more we realize it’s really about people. A few ideas that stuck with me: 💡 AI is a tool, not a solution: success depends on how humans use it to solve real challenges. Be clear on the problems you want to solve. 💡 Culture is a superpower: it’s what turns strategy into action. Open-minded and curious employees are the ultimate competitive advantage for continuous evolution. 💡 Learn fast: experiment, fail, and grow with purpose. Don’t miss the next wave; the world is changing rapidly. Start small and stay agile. 💡 HR must take the lead on workforce transformation: its value lies more than ever in driving change, not just supporting it. It was amazing to hear from companies like Microsoft, Airbus, HelloFresh, Danone, and many more on how they’re exploring this balance between technology and humanity. ✨ AI won’t define the future of work; people who know how to use it wisely will. If you’re curious about the details or want to exchange views on how organizations are driving AI adoption and people transformation, I’d love to chat! Drop me a message 🌞 UNLEASH #Tech #FutureOfWork #HR #AI #Culture #Leadership #ChangeManagement

Disruption is the new normal. From AI shifts to market volatility, static workforce plans no longer cut it. Our latest insights explore how scenario-based upskilling is helping organizations turn uncertainty into opportunity. 👉 Read the full blog: - https://lnkd.in/dVGib7AD Discover how Thrivin helps companies build agility through skills intelligence. #Thrivin #FutureOfWork #WorkforceStrategy #Upskilling #HRLeadership

While we are beginning to understand that upskilling is an essential piece of the puzzle in making the digital transformation successful, there may be another aspect to uncover during the implementation process. Investing in new solutions is often discussed, as is talent development and upskilling, though to a lesser degree. Crucially, human skills seem to be neglected. As the author brings the human-centric perspective to the discussion, she argues that "The best leaders will blend digital fluency with human depth. Strengthening traditional soft skills... will help them lead employees through this period of massive disruption." I also believe it is vital to keep practicing human soft skills in today’s AI world to ensure a smooth digital transformation. #DigitalTransformation #Upskilling #SoftSkills

In the processing industry, discussions about innovation, AI and automation are closely tied to workforce dynamics. Reskilling and upskilling have never been more critical for leaders aiming to future-proof their operations. Hear from our leader, Shartika Khajuria, Head HR, as she shares insights on weekly training sessions and the tech buddy system. How are you preparing your workforce for the evolving demands of material processing? Share your strategies in the comments! #RIECOIndustries #RIECOat50 #EchoOfRieco #ProcessingIndustry #FutureOfWork #WorkforceDevelopment #AIandAutomation #LeadershipInsights

🔥 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. That’s one of the messages I shared this week on ausbiz, talking about how Australian businesses can finally get clear about AI and stop feeling paralysed by the hype. When I look across the mid-market, I don’t see lazy people. I see brilliant, exhausted teams working harder than ever, drowning in admin, meetings, and complexity, and wondering why productivity hasn’t moved in a decade. For context, it’s grown by less than 1% a year for the past 10 years. That’s the slowest pace in 60 years. So when leaders ask me, “Maria, where do we start with AI?” My answer is always the same. 👉 Start with clarity. Because clarity turns fear into focus. AI isn’t about replacing humans. It’s about multiplying what we do best: creativity, empathy, and problem-solving. When we build AI literacy and teach people how to use these tools as teammates, the results are extraordinary. That’s the work we’re doing every day at Digital Armour, helping organisations use AI to lift their people, not replace them. 💬 Thank you to the incredible ausbiz team for the thoughtful conversation and for giving this important topic airtime. You asked all the right questions. 🎥 Watch the full interview here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gq432vre #AI #DigitalArmour #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation #Productivity #Technology #Automation #EmpathyInTech #Ausbiz

Human Resources in the Era of AI — Reflections from “Vers 2050” Last week, I had the opportunity to attend “Vers 2050 – Quand la technologie propulse l’entreprise humaine”, an event promoted by TALSOM. It was an inspiring experience to be among HR executives exploring how technology continues to reshape the human enterprise and redefine the role of people in organizations. As expected, AI dominated the discussion, but this time with a crucial nuance — the human in the loop. It was encouraging to see a collective understanding that human consciousness, empathy, and our ability to operate within the nuances of imperfect processes will remain the decisive assets to win in the market. One of the most powerful ideas was the “Golden Triangle”: the synergy between HR, IT, and Finance as the cornerstone of strategic alignment and organizational efficiency. Across all panels, the conversation went far beyond buzzwords — revealing a landscape where technology and humanity are not in opposition, but in co-evolution. Seeing HR leaders speak fluently about data governance, process architecture, and technology literacy confirms how quickly this function is maturing and aligning with the future. As a technology leader, I’ve always believed that digital transformation is not just about systems — it’s about people, mindset, and purpose. Moments like this remind me why I am so motivated to mentoring the next generation of professionals — to help them navigate this intersection between human potential and technological progress. #Leadership #AI #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #PeopleAndCulture #Mentorship #CN #TechnologyLeadership

Day 15 – Upskilling the Water Workforce for the AI Era Our greatest digital challenge isn’t technology — it’s readiness. As AI, automation, and data-driven systems become part of everyday operations, the question isn’t “Will these tools change how we work?” — it’s “Are we ready to use them well?” Upskilling our teams is essential if we want innovation to stick. That means: Building confidence in using digital tools at every level. Encouraging collaboration between engineers, analysts, and IT specialists. Creating safe spaces for learning and experimentation. The real measure of progress isn’t how advanced our systems are — it’s how empowered our people feel to use them. How is your organisation helping colleagues build confidence with new digital tools? #DigitalSkills #WaterInnovation #AIReadiness #Leadership #WorkforceDevelopment #30DaysOfWaterInnovation

AI is transforming benefits administration. Lightning-fast enrollments. Fewer human errors. Cost savings everywhere. But there’s a catch. Automation can mean less conversation, less empathy, and the risk that employees feel like a number: not a person. So, business leaders: What’s more valuable? Efficiency or experience? Here’s the truth: You can have both. Smart companies know it’s not about choosing sides: it’s about harmonizing tech power with personal connection. 💡 Ready to reimagine your benefits strategy in the AI era? For a real-world blueprint to balance automation with the human touch, DM Robur Partners. Let’s build benefits people actually love. #AI #EmployeeExperience #Benefits #Leadership