The AI+HI Project 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment, addressing the critical challenges organizations face in unlocking the true potential of artificial intelligence. McKinsey research reveals a critical challenge: While 92% of businesses plan to increase AI investments, only 1% have achieved true AI maturity. I see this disparity as a clear call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for effective frameworks, leadership alignment, and actionable strategies to bridge the divide between investment and impact.
Unlocking AI’s Potential: A Human-Centered Approach
According to McKinsey, 47% of C-suite leaders admit their organizations are moving too slowly in AI development. Meanwhile, employees are adopting AI at three times the rate leaders estimate — revealing a significant perception gap. Additionally, while 48% of employees prioritize AI training, many report receiving insufficient support from their organizations. These findings point to the growing disconnect between workforce needs and organizational support, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses aiming to adopt AI successfully.
These insights reveal that achieving AI maturity requires a balanced, human-centered approach. Key elements of this transformation include:
- Strategic alignment: Building clear visions, transparent governance frameworks, defined metrics, and adaptive budgeting.
- Skills and capability development: Prioritizing robust training models and leveraging Millennial managers, often AI champions, to inspire broader adoption.
- Sustainable change: Addressing employee concerns regarding cybersecurity, data accuracy, privacy, and intellectual property.
Notably, McKinsey found that leadership alignment remains a pivotal factor. Executives often cite employee readiness as a barrier, overlooking their own role in leadership alignment. Moving to mature AI implementation requires a balanced approach.
While 87% of executives anticipate revenue growth from AI, achieving this requires that they address fundamental organizational and human factors. Success hinges on building trust, developing capabilities, and creating sustainable change. Technology itself is not the primary barrier: Leadership alignment and organizational readiness are more critical.
The Economics of AI and the Future of Work: A Landmark Fireside Chat
The AI+HI Project 2025 event directly tackles these challenges, providing a platform for leaders to gain the tools and frameworks they need to bridge the gap between AI investment and organizational maturity. Featuring leading voices in AI and digital transformation, the event fosters pragmatic learning, strategic dialogue, and practical innovation.
The event welcomes even more visionary expertise from two of our most popular guests from The AI+HI Project podcast. Brandon Roberts, group vice president of people analytics and AI at ServiceNow, will be discussing the fundamentals of AI task analysis and automation, while Chris Fernandez, corporate vice president at Microsoft, will walk through how to build confidence in AI adoption.
In addition to those highlights, one of the moments I’m looking forward to most is an exclusive fireside chat with Erik Brynjolfsson, director of Stanford’s Digital Economy Lab, and Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president and chief executive officer of SHRM. Brynjolfsson, a pioneer in the economics of AI and digital transformation, has fundamentally shaped our understanding of organizational success in the age of AI. His research illuminates the crucial interplay between technology and organizational change, offering profound insights into maximizing the complementary strengths of humans and AI.
Taylor will guide a deep-dive conversation exploring the economic implications of AI adoption and its impact on the future of work. Drawing on Brynjolfsson’s research and observations, the discussion will outline pathways for organizations to move beyond superficial AI implementation toward true transformation. It will teach organizational leaders how to address the skills gap and foster cultures that embrace technology while prioritizing human agency.
Together, Taylor and Brynjolfsson will offer a dialogue that is both big-picture and practical, equipping HR leaders with the insights they need to navigate AI’s challenges and opportunities. Their conversation will move beyond broad AI predictions and focus on real-world applications, leadership strategies, and steps for building an AI-ready workforce.
This fireside chat is not just about AI as a technology — it’s about AI as a business and workforce transformation tool. HR professionals sit at the intersection of technology and people, making them key players in shaping the AI-driven workplace of the future.
This session is complemented by a broader event program focused on the practical tools leaders need to drive enterprise-level AI transformation. Other key sessions explore:
- Comprehensive Strategies: Developing end-to-end frameworks for AI implementation while maintaining operational excellence.
- Human-AI Collaboration: Finding synergy between human creativity and AI capabilities to boost productivity.
- Adaptive Learning Cultures: Encouraging innovation and learning agility as organizations incorporate AI tools and processes into daily operations.
This fireside chat is not just about AI as a technology — it’s about AI as a business and workforce transformation tool.
Your Path to AI Implementation Success
The AI+HI Project 2025 is designed to go beyond theoretical predictions, providing attendees with targeted insights and solutions. Through immersive learning and strategic dialogue, participants will develop practical frameworks for successful AI implementation.
With its focus on actionable outcomes, this event serves as a beacon for organizations striving to achieve AI maturity.
Join us to learn from experts, network with peers, and develop strategies for your organization’s AI future. Register now to secure your place at this transformative event. I hope to see you there!
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