Are We Working for AI? HR Leaders on the Future of Work - Business Insider

Business Insider convened a significant discussion among leading HR and people executives at an event titled "Futureproofing Your Workforce in the Age of AI." A core query posed during this gathering was by Maxine Carrington of Northwell Health, who questioned the current dynamic between humans and AI in the workplace, stressing that AI should function as an enabler for human objectives. Throughout the conversation, a key tension emerged between viewing AI as a catalyst for complete organizational overhaul versus its integration as a mere set of tools. Gareth Lewis from Lewis People & Culture Advisory emphasized that the primary challenge is transformational and organizational, rather than purely technological, and criticized the prevailing focus on efficiency gains, headcount reductions, and specific tools over a comprehensive re-evaluation of job roles. This perspective was reinforced by Agnes Garaba of UiPath, who acknowledged the difficulty but necessity of redesigning roles. The financial aspects of increased AI adoption were also a significant talking point. Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer at 1Password, raised concerns about the escalating costs of AI tools and the need for companies to demonstrate a tangible return on investment from their AI experimentation.