Reclaiming the Plot: HR’s Role in the AI Transformation

Guest: Dr. Kelly Monahan, Future of Work and AI Advisor

Summary

In this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn welcomes Dr. Kelly Monahan, future of work and AI advisor and author of Reclaim the Plot, for a conversation about what it means to redesign organizations for a world where humans and AI increasingly work together.

Kelly argues that many organizations are approaching AI transformation too narrowly - focusing on efficiency and automation without thinking deeply enough about how work, organizational structures, skills, leadership, and value creation need to change. Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about AI, leadership, workforce transformation, and why HR has an important opportunity to help organizations reclaim the plot.

Key Takeaways

Why AI transformation may increasingly become an HR responsibility
How organizations can move from short-term workforce reduction thinking to longer-term workforce redesign
Why HR professionals need greater exposure to how the broader business creates value
The importance of keeping humans accountable for decisions, exceptions, and moments where judgment matters
How leaders can approach workforce reductions with greater transparency and humanity
Why inconsistent AI adoption and invisible workflows are creating new challenges for managers
How principles, learning, and shared experimentation can provide better AI guardrails
What the HR function could look like as human and AI work become increasingly integrated

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