The buzz of the HR Technology conference has faded, but the ideas sparked there continue to resonate. I’m ready to share the insights that have stuck with me. As an HCM Technology Consultant, my role is to help clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of HCM tech. This year’s HR Technology conference provided a particularly interesting look at a market in the midst of a radical, AI-fueled shift.
The Rise of the Intelligent HR System: A Masterclass in Change Management
The most forward-looking concept I heard was from IBM’s keynote, which unveiled their vision of an agentic AI platform handling all employee and manager self-service (ESS/MSS) transactions. This approach suggests the future of HCM technology will be less about navigating a platform and more about interacting with an intelligent assistant.
IBM’s story of their HR function’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) was a powerful testament to the value of effective change management. When the AI platform was first introduced, their NPS initially dropped to -35 a predictable reaction to a major change. However, through a strategic implementation, the team improved the experience and built trust, eventually bringing the NPS up to a remarkable +74. This success stands out against a broader industry trend, as a Sapient Insights survey highlighted declining investment in Adaptive Change Management, though future expectations show a slight increase.
The New HR Role: One Step Ahead of the AI
If AI is handling the transactional work, what does that mean for HR? IBM’s keynote offered a compelling answer: HR professionals must be “one step ahead of the AI.” Instead of a tier 0 or tier 1 support function, entry-level HR professionals are now trained to sit alongside the AI, learning from experts and providing feedback to continuously improve the system.
This concept extends to the HR function as a whole. The Sapient Insights survey confirmed that as AI forces HR to reassess its role, it’s also “waking up” the IT function to view HR as their strategic partner. However, we still have work to do, as a significant portion of Boards and Finance leaders do not yet see HR as a strategic partner. This highlights a critical challenge for HR leaders: we must use data to prove our value.
AI’s Pervasiveness and the Vendor Response
The conversation around AI wasn’t limited to HR. Interestingly, a conference held concurrently at Mandalay Bay – the International Fastener Expo – had a session titled: “How AI is transforming the fastener industry.” This served as a wake-up call. If AI can transform an industry that produces screws and bolts, it can transform all work. The message from the conference was clear: disruption is the new normal.
Josh Bersin’s keynote echoed this, noting that he’s never seen change this rapid. He emphasized that every major HR tech vendor is now an AI company, either through internal development or acquisition. Examples include Workday with Sana, SAP with Joule AI, and ADP with Lyric.
My Final Takeaway
The 2025 HR Technology conference was a wake-up call and a call to action. The HCM is no longer the destination; it’s the backend of a new, AI-powered employee experience. The HR professional’s role is shifting from transactional to strategic, and in a world of constant change, our mission is to help our clients navigate this disruption not just to survive, but to thrive by building a great team and a successful organization.
Whether you are getting ready to start enhancing your employees’ experience with AI or you have already been using AI with your HCM technology, let’s talk. HRchitect is known far and wide as the organization that takes your investment to the next level. Revolutionize your HR operations with our comprehensive, future-focused approach that aligns people, process and HR technology in our HCM assessments. Contact us today to learn more.
About the Author
As a Senior Strategic Services consultant, Renee spends time researching HCM technology trends to keep up with the latest news in the industry. She shares this knowledge with clients and organizations, also providing interviews, writing and speaking engagements. She joined HRchitect in 2021 and brings over 5 years of Human Resources practitioner experience to her role.
To learn more about Renee’s background, please visit her profile on LinkedIn.
