Superworkers and Superagents: The power and potential of AI in HR
Webinar report:
The future of AI in HR came under close scrutiny at a recent webinar hosted by The HR World. Superworkers and Superagents: The power and potential of AI in HR, held in partnership with
The Josh Bersin Company and sponsored by
The Talent World, included a presentation of recent research from The Josh Bersin Company, into the future of AI in HR and how HR should proceed with the technology at this stage.
Featuring Bersin Company Consultant
David Morris,
Steve Bright, HR Leader from Northrop Grumman and
Erica Farmer, Speaker, Trainer and Author of
AI For People Professionals David Morris kicked off the session with an overview of The Josh Bersin Company’s research and the 11 leadership and HR imperatives which they believe should be powering AI in HR at this moment.
Reflecting and reacting to these imperatives it was clear that while there is still a gap between Bersins’ vision and the current state of play for most organisations, HR is able and keen to take the right approach to what Bright terms as the current technological revolution. The panel agreed that HR needs to work closely with technology leaders in order to create an AI architecture that would serve the business going forward. There is a sense that at the moment there are some stand alone examples of AI use but it is more difficult for organisations to build an over-aching strategy. The consensus was, however, that any such strategy should begin with the business case – an understanding of what the technology will do for the business or the problems it will solve – rather than using it for the sake of it.
Throughout the transformation process the panel agreed employees need to be guided, kept in the loop and treated with care. The advent of AI has brought with it many stories of job cuts and change for employees which can be worrying for the workforce. However, there is evidence that job losses will be offset by new emerging roles, and employees will still need support to transition to the new AI powered workplace.
At a time of great change, but also a time of huge potential for the HR function, this is a vital webinar to watch. Not only does it bring to life the latest research into the impact of AI but the panelists bring real life examples and practices to illustrate how HR can advance and lead on this new technology.
David is an experienced HR transformation and organisational capability consultant who
works with senior leaders and HR functions on the systems, architecture and strategies that
drive lasting business performance.
As Chief Learning and Talent Officer at HSBC, he led enterprise-wide talent and learning
transformation across a global workforce. Before that, he spent almost two decades with
McDonald’s Corporation, building deep expertise in capability frameworks, people systems
and large-scale organisational design.
He now consults independently, bringing clients both rigorous research-informed thinking
and the hard-won perspective of a practitioner who has led the functions he helps others
transform.
Follow David Morris on LinkedIn
Steve Bright is an international HR leader and executive coach, currently serving as a player-coach on a major HR transformation programme at Northrop Grumman. He has spent over a decade shaping global HR strategy across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australia, with a focus on organisational design, leadership capability and digital transformation.
Alongside his corporate work, Steve serves in governance roles across the social impact sector and works as an executive coach, supporting senior leaders navigating complexity, transition and growth.
He is particularly interested in the evolving relationship between human capability and technology, and what responsible leadership looks like in an AI-enabled world.
Follow Steve Bright on LinkedIn
Erica has over 25 years of learning and development and apprenticeships experience with some of the UK’s best-known brands such as LV=, British Gas, Specsavers and Virgin. Erica’s area of specialism is AI and future skills. Erica speaks about this in her TEDx talk, ‘Reforming Education through the Digital First Mindset’, and in her courses as a LinkedIn Learning Instructor.
She is passionate about driving human collaborations with tech. Examples are the ‘AI for the Average Joe’ podcast show, making the complex, simple, alongside her innovative keynotes and workshops focusing on AI for everyone, and AI and wellbeing.
Erica is also an advisory member of the AI in Work & Skills Forum, a seasoned presenter and consultant who was shortlisted as Best AI Speaker in the 2025 Speaker Awards.
She has recently authored her first book, ‘AI for People Professionals’ which is available from Kogan Page in May 2026.
Follow Erica Farmer on LinkedIn
