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The Blind Spot at the AI Davos Summit: Why Leaders Must Protect Their People-First Workplace
The Blind Spot at the AI Davos Summit: Why Leaders Must Protect Their People-First Workplace
Reflections from Davos AI Summit: The Hidden Dangers of Letting AI Run Your Company
After returning from the AI Summit, which took place alongside the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, I’ve been reflecting on the conversations—both those that were had and, more importantly, those that weren’t.
The event brought together thought leaders, innovators and changemakers to discuss the future of the workplace. It’s not every day that you get to mix and mingle with some of the most brilliant minds in business, technology, and policy—all in the same room, debating the future of the world.
One moment, you can be deep in a discussion about enterprise AI strategies with a top tech CEO, and the next, you’re hearing a Grammy-winning artist, Will.i.am, break down the intersection of artificial intelligence and social responsibility. It’s a reminder that the AI conversation isn’t just about business—it’s about how technology is reshaping every part of our lives.
But one theme stood out to me above the rest: the assumption that as CEOs begin leading AI-integrated workforces, IT will inevitably take over HR. There was also plenty of talk about this concept of ‘people displacement.’ I heard this repeatedly, and I want to challenge it—right now.
AI is transforming the workplace at a staggering pace, and the default assumption seems to be that IT teams will dictate how organizations implement AI in HR, benefits, and talent strategy. But here’s my challenge to that: It shouldn’t be IT absorbing HR—it should be HR adopting IT’s mindset.
If we allow AI adoption to be solely an IT-driven initiative, we run the risk of losing what makes great workplaces thrive: culture, connection, and human-first decision-making. Instead of HR playing catch-up to IT, we need to rethink the equation entirely.
The Real Question No One Is Asking: Who Owns Culture?
At Davos, discussions around AI largely centered on efficiency, automation, and digital transformation. But what I didn’t hear enough about is how we maintain a strong sense of culture in a world increasingly shaped by chatbots, predictive analytics, and machine learning.
Culture isn’t built by technology alone. It’s built by people. AI can—and should—enhance the way we work, but it can’t replace the human elements that define a great workplace: trust, empathy, and shared purpose. If we’re not careful, we risk designing workplaces that are incredibly efficient but devoid of the human connection that actually drives engagement, retention, and performance.
And that’s why HR must take the lead in AI adoption—not just react to it.
HR’s Role in the AI Era: Adopt, Adapt, and Lead
I had the opportunity to discuss this topic on a panel at Davos, and my stance was clear: the future of AI in the workplace is not just a technology discussion—it’s a people discussion.
Here’s where I believe HR leaders need to focus:
- HR Must Become Fluent in AI – Just as IT has spent decades becoming experts in business operations, HR must now become experts in AI. This means understanding not just what AI can do, but how it impacts employee experience, decision-making, and trust in the workplace.
- AI Should Enhance, Not Replace, Human Connection – Chatbots can handle benefits questions, but they can’t replace the impact of a manager who knows an employee’s career aspirations. AI should remove administrative burdens so HR teams can focus more on strategic, high-value work—not replace the human elements that make organizations thrive.
- Culture Needs to Be an Intentional, Measurable Priority – AI is already making data-driven decisions in hiring, compensation, and performance management. But are we applying the same rigor to measuring and maintaining culture? HR leaders must proactively shape how AI is used to reinforce company values—not just optimize for efficiency.
The Call to Action: HR as the Architects of the Future Workplace
What’s next? AI is here, and it’s not slowing down. But let’s not allow the conversation to be dominated by IT alone. HR leaders must step forward, take ownership, and actively shape how AI is integrated into our workplaces.
The companies that succeed in this next era won’t just be the ones that adopt AI the fastest. They’ll be the ones that use AI wisely—to empower people, strengthen culture, and build workplaces that are not just efficient, but truly human.