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Leading HR in an Era of AI, Agility and Global Disruption
Big ideas. Honest conversations. Real talk about what’s next for HR.
At our breakfast event at Sustainable Ventures in London, hosted by Hung Lee from Recruiting Brainfood and powered by 50skills, some of the UK’s most forward-thinking HR leaders came together to explore how AI, automation and technology are reshaping how work gets done.
It was part inspiration, part debate, and part wake-up call for anyone leading people through change.
Perry Timms kicked things off with a talk that got everyone thinking. He challenged the idea that HR should fit into old structures or rely on the same playbooks that were written decades ago.
His message was clear. The future belongs to organisations that can adapt, imagine and create new systems for how people work. Perry called this the polymorphic organisation — one that learns, evolves and changes shape to fit what the future needs.
He reminded everyone that while technology can be powerful, imagination still wins. The real opportunity for HR is to shape organisations that feel alive, not mechanical.
Watch Perry’s talk below.
Kristjan Kristjansson, CEO of 50skills, brought things firmly into the real world with live demos and examples from companies already using AI to save time and work smarter.
He explained four ways teams can bring AI into their daily work, from simple chat tools to full workflow automation. The takeaway was that you do not need to be technical to build something powerful.
Kristjan showed how AI can make processes faster and more accurate, helping HR teams focus on people, not paperwork. He also spoke about the importance of transparency and responsible design so automation supports the humans behind it.
Watch Kristjan’s talk below.
Rt. Hon. Chloe Smith, President of the CIPD and former UK Minister for Work and Pensions, joined Hung Lee for a fireside chat about what leadership looks like in an AI-driven world.
They talked about how HR can take a stronger role in shaping strategy, improving access to work and building fairer systems as automation changes the job market. Chloe shared her view on the opportunity ahead — to connect more people to meaningful work through better design, smarter technology and bold leadership.
It was an honest and hopeful conversation about what AI could mean for the future of employment.
Watch the fireside chat below.
Every speaker agreed on one thing. HR is not a support function anymore. It is leadership.
AI, automation and agility are not buzzwords. They are the new foundations of how people, teams and organisations will thrive. And HR leaders are the ones who can make that shift happen.
Leading HR in an Era of AI, Agility and Global Disruption brought new ideas, open conversations and a genuine sense of energy about what comes next for the profession.
