AI in HR: Why Leadership Mindset Matters More Than Ever - Summit Solutions
How will AI reshape the role of HR leaders? In this month’s Summit Solutions, we explore where optimism meets caution, and what HR and L&D leaders really need to know as AI accelerates change in the workplace.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility for HR leaders—it’s here, shaping everything from workforce planning to employee experience. Yet, as the Harvard Business Review recently argued, technology alone is not enough. What will set organisations apart is whether their leaders adopt an AI-first mindset: not just deploying tools, but rethinking how people, processes, and purpose come together in the age of intelligent machines.
So what does this mean for HR and L&D leaders today? Insights from the Financial Times, McKinsey, and HBR highlight three areas where leadership focus is crucial.
Beyond Automation: AI as a Strategic Ally
Discussions about AI in HR often focus on automation—how algorithms can speed up recruitment or streamline performance management. But as the FT provocatively asked, “does HR still need humans?”, the real opportunity isn’t about replacing people. It’s about elevating the function.
By handling repetitive tasks, AI can free HR professionals to focus on deeper, more human responsibilities: shaping culture, building engagement, and supporting leaders. In this sense, AI is a strategic ally, not a substitute. The challenge for leaders is to reframe the conversation away from “efficiency only” and toward long-term value.
Workforce Planning in the Age of Uncertainty
McKinsey’s research points out that AI doesn’t just change jobs—it reshapes entire skillsets. Strategic workforce planning has always been important, but with AI accelerating change, it becomes a business imperative.
For HR and L&D leaders, this means asking tough questions: Which roles are most exposed to automation? Where should reskilling investments be prioritised? How do we balance today’s workforce needs with tomorrow’s capabilities?
Here, leadership mindset is key. Rather than seeing workforce planning as a reactive exercise, organisations must treat it as an ongoing, adaptive strategy—anticipating disruption while staying focused on growth.
The Human Leadership Factor
Perhaps the most important lesson from HBR is that AI adoption succeeds or fails not because of the technology itself, but because of leadership. Leaders who embrace AI with curiosity, transparency, and vision are more likely to unlock its full potential. Those who resist or delegate responsibility risk creating confusion, mistrust, or wasted investment.
For HR and L&D leaders, this presents both a responsibility and an opportunity: to guide their organisations not only through the mechanics of AI adoption, but also through the human side of change—building trust, addressing fears, and ensuring fairness.
Looking Ahead
The debate isn’t about whether AI will shape the future of work—it already is. The real question is how leaders respond. By treating AI as a strategic ally, embedding workforce planning into the heart of HR strategy, and leading with clarity and purpose, HR and L&D leaders can position their organisations for long-term success.
At Summit Events, these are exactly the kinds of conversations happening at our gatherings—where senior HR and L&D leaders come together to share challenges, test ideas, and connect with innovative solution providers. If you’re looking to shape the future of work in your organisation, our upcoming summits are the place to start.
Your next opportunity to connect is the 32nd Human Resource Summit, taking place in Lisbon from 15–17 October. With a carefully curated programme and an exclusive group of peers and partners, it’s the ideal setting to explore the future of HR—AI included—in a way that’s collaborative, forward-thinking, and actionable. Register your interest here.
References
Financial Times. (2025, August 17). Does HR still need humans? Financial Times.
Gandhi, N., Durth, S., Bérubé, V., & McKinsey & Company. (2025, February 26). The critical role of strategic workforce planning in the age of AI. McKinsey & Company.
Kober, G. (2025, January 24). AI-First leadership: Embracing the future of work. Harvard Business Review.