L&D's role isn't just about training anymore. "Your job is to ensure a skilled workforce," analyst Dani Johnson says. "And the only really big question left is, what are you going to do about it?"
These leaders don't just use AI—they manage teams of agents to boost productivity and spark innovation. Preparing employees for this shift is a challenge and opportunity for HR leaders.
One CEO just predicted a potential 20% spike in unemployment in the next few years from job losses to AI. Industry expert Mark Stelzner says HR now needs to advocate for humane automation that enhances, rather than erases, human contribution.
However, these experts write, there's a difference between AI taking your job and AI taking your employment. The latter is a dead end, while the former opens the door for true HR transformation.
The number of learning days per employee is a good example of a measure that may appear dated in light of recent advances. Yet, it can still drive real impact when combined with other outcome measures and analytics, these experts write.
Every year, HR Executive spotlights 100 professionals who are making a real difference in how the world works and how technology supports it. As we sit solidly in the middle of a change-driven decade, this year's list reflects that HR isn't keeping up with the future—it's building it.
