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Day 1 of UNLEASH World 2024 in Paris was an exciting deep dive into the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of work, with a particular focus on AI and digital transformation. As thought leaders, futurists, and HR professionals gathered to explore these innovations, it became clear that AI is driving a fundamental shift in HR processes, talent acquisition, and organisational success.
At 50skills, we were proud to exhibit our AI and automation platform, designed to simplify HR practices by streamlining processes and freeing up valuable time for strategic initiatives. Here’s a round-up of the key talks from Day 1, along with insights on how 50skills is contributing to the future of HR.
Among the attendees, Eiléan Hynes, Human Resources Manager at Sofrimar and Founder of HynesHR, shared her reflections on the day. Her post captured the energy and innovation present at UNLEASH World 2024, with a focus on key sessions that resonated with many in attendance.
Kicking off the day was Peter Hinssen, founder of Nexxworks, who delivered an insightful keynote on managing cultural shifts and embracing digital transformation. As the workplace continues to evolve, Peter highlighted the importance of leveraging AI and treating data as the “new oil” to optimise organisational tasks and ensure success.
Leaders, Peter emphasised, must adopt a proactive approach to managing talent by embracing digitalisation and becoming “friction hunters” — constantly seeking ways to remove inefficiencies and streamline operations. This resonated strongly with the ethos of 50skills, where we use AI to help HR teams reduce the burden of manual tasks like onboarding documentation and routine employee queries. Our platform empowers organisations to focus on what truly matters: developing talent and driving growth.
A key focus at UNLEASH World was the challenge of wastage in talent acquisition. In a session led by Kevin Blair, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Ericsson, Blair explored the need for smarter, AI-driven approaches to avoid wasting time and resources during the recruitment process. As David Brammer noted, Blair discussed the value of understanding the optimal hiring channels and automating inefficient recruitment stages to create a more streamlined process.
This idea of reducing wastage through automation resonated throughout the event. Blair, alongside Marcus Thorpe (Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Thoughtworks), emphasised how advanced technologies and AI are reshaping talent acquisition strategies. By leveraging AI, tasks like candidate screening, interview scheduling, and talent pipeline management can be automated, freeing up time for HR professionals to focus on building meaningful relationships with top candidates.
The panellists highlighted that HR teams must stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges by incorporating AI to optimise recruitment. This shift towards a data-driven, automated process is transforming talent acquisition, ensuring that HR departments can work more efficiently and effectively.
AI’s potential to revolutionise HR was a central theme throughout Day 1. One standout session, led by Vincent Lecerf, Group Chief People Officer at Orange, explored AI’s transformative effects on HR functions and the ethical considerations of its adoption. Vincent discussed how AI can help HR departments become more efficient by automating routine tasks and providing strategic insights into workforce planning and development.
At 50skills, we share this vision of an AI-driven HR future. Our platform goes beyond simple automation; it provides actionable insights that allow HR teams to make data-driven decisions, all while maintaining an ethical approach to AI implementation. As AI regulations, such as the AI Act, come into effect, having a platform that prioritises compliance and transparency is essential for HR teams. With 50skills, organisations can streamline their processes while ensuring ethical and responsible AI use.
Mile Prodanov also contributed a significant perspective on employee engagement and wellbeing. Prodanov noted how AI is playing a central role in supporting both talent success and overall employee engagement strategies. As organisations embrace hybrid work models, AI’s ability to streamline HR processes ensures that HR professionals can focus on cultivating meaningful employee relationships and enhancing engagement from day one.
Another session that captured attendees’ attention was a panel discussion on how HR leaders can become “AI superstars” in their organisations. Marleen Docters van Leeuwen (Director HR Technology & UX at Ahold Delhaize) and other panellists shared real-world examples of how they have used AI to modernise talent management and boost workforce productivity.
The key takeaway? AI can provide HR teams with greater visibility into skills gaps, streamline business processes, and improve the overall employee experience. As the pace of technological innovation accelerates, HR leaders must embrace AI to keep their organisations agile and competitive.
A thought-provoking takeaway from Mike Bollinger was the adage: "If you can’t measure it, you shouldn’t be doing it!" This underscores the importance of data-driven decision making in HR, especially when adopting AI tools. Collecting, measuring, and analysing data in real time enables HR to make informed decisions that drive talent acquisition and employee engagement strategies, ensuring continuous improvement and strategic alignment.
Stina Kärkkäinen added another insightful dimension in response: "If you can’t action it, you shouldn’t be measuring it!" This highlights the critical balance between gathering data and actually putting it to practical use in HR processes. AI-driven platforms not only allow HR teams to measure performance but also make actionable insights readily available to drive continuous improvement.
AI leading the transformation of HR
One of the key challenges for HR, as noted by Nirit Cohen is the need to harness AI to lead transformation. Nirit identified AI as an essential tool for driving organisational and HR transformation, particularly in an age where work is no longer defined by traditional jobs or rigid office structures. Creating flexible, efficient processes with the support of AI allows HR teams to evolve in tandem with the changing nature of work.
In the closing keynote of the day, renowned futurist Amy Webb took the audience on a thrilling journey into the future of work. Amy explored how emerging technologies, particularly AI, will shape the workplace by 2030. Webb's scenarios ranged from optimistic to chaotic, urging companies to prepare for a future where AI is not just assisting with day-to-day tasks but fundamentally reshaping organisational structures and cultures.
Amy’s call to action for HR leaders was clear: those who embrace AI and harness its potential will lead their industries, while those who resist will fall behind. For us at 50skills, this is a message we have long understood. Our AI-powered platform is already helping HR teams transform their operations, ensuring they are future-ready. From automating candidate screening to simplifying employee engagement processes, we make it easier for businesses to keep pace with the fast-evolving HR landscape.
Day 1 of UNLEASH World 2024 made it abundantly clear that AI and automation are not just trends; they are essential tools for the future of HR. From optimising talent acquisition to improving employee engagement, AI is transforming how organisations operate.
At 50skills, we’re excited to be part of this transformation. Our platform enables HR teams to harness the power of AI to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and focus on strategic initiatives that drive organisational growth. Whether you’re looking to future-proof your talent acquisition or improve the employee experience, 50skills offers the AI-powered solutions to make it happen.
Be sure to visit our stand at UNLEASH World to see how we can transform your HR processes and help your organisation thrive in the age of AI.
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