Jessica Smith
Chief People Officer
Hays
Episode 18
Future-Proofing HR: How to Lead with AI & Reimagine the Employee Experience
Current chapter: This episode is presented by Previ, the only free tool that boosts internal communication
Built By PeopleDecember 18, 2025 · 7:51
Thesis
“HR must proactively and continuously reimagine its processes and embrace AI to navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape, while simultaneously prioritizing employee well-being and engagement through strategic change management.”
Show notes
Summary
In this episode of the Built by People podcast, Jess Smith shares her unique career journey from finance to HR, discussing the challenges faced in the HR landscape today, particularly around engagement and the integration of AI. She emphasizes the importance of reimagining work processes and the need for continuous evolution within HR organizations. Jess also provides valuable advice for aspiring HR professionals, highlighting the significance of understanding AI and prioritizing personal wellness amidst industry changes.
Takeaways
- Jess Smith's career path reflects intentional reinvention.
- Engagement is a critical concern for HR professionals today.
- AI presents both opportunities and uncertainties in the workplace.
- Organizations must evolve continuously to stay relevant.
- Testing new tools is essential for future HR efficiency.
- Reimagining work processes is more important than fixing broken systems.
- HR professionals should prioritize their own wellness.
- Curiosity and continuous learning are vital in HR.
- The integration of AI will require a suite of tools.
- HR is at a pivotal moment that demands proactive leadership.
What you'll take away
- 1HR leaders should focus on reimagining work entirely rather than just fixing incremental problems, especially with the transformative potential of AI.
- 2Double down on AI knowledge and strive to be at the forefront of leading AI implementation within both HR organizations and the broader workforce.
- 3Proactively manage employee engagement during periods of business transformation and AI integration, as these changes can foster uncertainty and disengagement.
- 4Continuously test and experiment with a 'suite of tools' and new technologies to discover and deploy future efficiencies within HR.
- 5Prioritize personal well-being, including taking breaks and focusing on wellness, while leading significant organizational changes that impact people.
What most organizations get wrong
- •Instead of fixing individual broken systems or processes, HR should 'reimagine how we work' entirely, especially in a revolutionary period driven by AI, rather than just incremental improvements.
In Jessica's words
“I started my career in finance, actually, which is not the typical path you see for HR, but I spent the first half of my career in finance, moved into banking.”
This quote highlights an unconventional beginning to her HR career, emphasizing a path of intentional reinvention.
“how do we think about implementing AI from an HR perspective, but also from the business perspective? And then also as a result of that, how do then we we manage resourcing moving forward.”
This captures the dual challenge of AI for HR, focusing on both implementation and its impact on workforce planning and resourcing.
“definitely engagement, right? As the business looks to shift and change... it also creates uncertainty for colleagues and also creates ambiguity for colleagues. And those two things typically can breed disengagement.”
This quote directly links business transformation and AI implementation to potential employee disengagement due to uncertainty.
“If I could wave a wand, I wouldn't fix anything. So what I would do is just reimagine how we work.”
This is a key contrarian take, advocating for a complete rethinking of HR processes rather than merely repairing existing ones.
“I would hope, if I think about HR, right, that 50% of the things that we do would've changed, right? Because in the moment that we're in, nothing should stay the same. We should be evolving constantly.”
This emphasizes the critical need for continuous and significant evolution within HR functions.
“My advice would be to double down your knowledge of AI and to be part of the leading leadership team that's going to lead how we think about AI into the future, whether that be within the broader workforce or within your HR organization.”
This provides clear, actionable advice for HR professionals to proactively engage with and lead AI integration.
The problems this episode addresses
- •Keeping employee engagement high during continuous business transformations and the introduction of AI, which can create uncertainty and ambiguity.
- •Managing resourcing effectively while experimenting with AI to find and implement efficiencies, often before the efficiencies are fully realized.
- •Identifying, testing, and integrating the right suite of new HR technologies and 'agents' to support future AI-driven operations.
- •Educating HR leadership on AI to ensure they are equipped to guide its implementation across the organization and within HR functions.
In this episode
This episode is presented by Previ, the only free tool that boosts internal communication
Built by People
Jess Smith started her career in finance, moved into banking after financial crisis
How to Reinvent Yourself in HR
As you focus in on Char and what you're currently doing, what's maybe the biggest challenge
What's the biggest challenge in HR?
Which tools or partners are most critical for you today
Which tools or partners are most critical for your HR business?
If I could wave a wand and fix maybe one system or process, what would it be
How to Fix HR: The Future Is Immersive
Jess says AI is a pivotal moment in HR. What parting advice would you share with our community
An HR Professional's Last Words
Topics covered
Organizations and entities mentioned
Full transcript
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