The HR Tech conference has long been a pivotal event for HR professionals. As we look toward stepping into 2025, this year’s conference—held last month in Las Vegas—offered a deep dive into the technology shaping the future of work, revealing how HR leaders can leverage these innovations for real-world solutions.
Here are five key takeaways that every HR leader should have on their radar, according to the HR Executive editorial team.
It’s understandable if you’re feeling AI fatigue—after all, discussions about artificial intelligence have dominated the HR tech space for months, even years, since ChatGPT opened the gen AI opportunities. However, the advancements showcased at this year’s conference prove that AI is moving far beyond automating repetitive tasks.
Now, AI is tackling complex, strategic problems and being integrated into systems that enhance decision-making, improve efficiency and even boost employee engagement. HR use is on the rise, with 51% of employers utilizing generative AI in some capacity, according to i4cp’s upcoming report, Workforce Readiness in the Era of AI, which surveyed 930 HR executives globally.
“They’re not just cool things that are fun to buy and look at,” longtime global analyst Josh Bersin said during his keynote. “[AI tools] are business imperatives that we’re going to have to adopt.” Now, according to Bersin, the market is evolving further with the introduction of AI agents.
See also: Northwestern Mutual CHRO: 6 pieces of advice for HR leaders
Collaboration between clients and vendors is on the rise
One major theme that emerged is the collaboration between vendors and clients, and this activity is only expected to grow in the coming year. Technology providers are working hand-in-hand with organizations to develop customized, modular solutions tailored to specific business needs.
Stephanie Manzelli, senior vice president of people and talent at recruiting tech firm Employ, told HR Executive that her company has prioritized partnerships with clients to become customer-centered and “meet them where they are” in terms of business needs.
The rise of low-code/no-code platforms and open APIs has made this process even more accessible, allowing HR teams to design their own tools.
The future of HR technology will rely heavily on this collaborative model, where flexibility and adaptability are the keys to success. However, balancing customization with security and standardization remains a challenge.
Talent tech is here, but culture needs to catch up
The technology to manage talent, upskill employees and drive development is available and increasing. Yet, many organizations still struggle with the cultural readiness required to embrace these tools fully. The challenge isn’t about the tech itself—it’s about ensuring the workforce is ready to adopt it.
“It’s still going to come down to what we do and how we do it,” according to Chris Havrilla, vice president of product strategy at Oracle. She says that organizations must use technology to show their workforce how to do things differently. “How we do tech is how we’ll change culture,” she says.
To bridge this gap, companies should focus on comprehensive employee training, helping them feel confident in and capable of using new systems. Aligning these solutions with broader business strategies ensures they aren’t seen as standalone tools but integral to achieving organizational goals. Keynote speaker Ravin Jesuthasan emphasized that organizations focusing on transforming the work objective itself—rather than solely focusing on technology—consistently achieve better outcomes.
Frontline workers are gaining ground in tech adoption
Frontline workers—who make up 80% of the global workforce, according to Expo exhibitor Beekeeper—have historically been overlooked in terms of access to enterprise technology. However, the rapid rise of mobile-based solutions is transforming how these “deskless” employees interact with company systems. At HR Tech, organizations such as UPS and Marriott shared that they have increased high-volume and frontline hiring success by using technology.
Frontline workers, often essential to core operations like customer service and healthcare, are now benefiting from a growing suite of HR tech designed specifically for their needs. Mobile-first solutions enable seamless communication, easier access to training and development resources, and real-time engagement.
However, while some organizations have found platforms that suit their needs, HR Executive heard from others who are still searching for the right frontline fit. As more companies recognize the potential of empowering this segment of their workforce, HR leaders will need to focus on implementing tech that enhances the experience for these mobile, customer-facing employees.
Data-driven decision-making is now a must-have
All of the HR experts we heard from and interviewed said that an influx of data available through HR technologies is fundamentally reshaping the HR profession. From talent acquisition to employee development and retention, data is driving more informed decisions and allowing HR teams to play a more strategic role in business outcomes. “HR has to navigate the pressure to be business savvy, data-driven, inundated with new tech and still not forget that human side,” said mega-session speaker Don Robertson, CHRO at Northwestern Mutual. “The human side is critical.”
As we move forward, the challenge for HR professionals will be less about accessing data and more about how to interpret and act on it effectively. Ongoing development of data literacy skills, as well as the embrace of tools that simplify data visualization and insights, will be essential. The ability to analyze data will continue to differentiate HR teams that contribute strategically to organizational success from those still operating in traditional, reactive ways.
Bonus: The reimagined role of HR Tech for 2025 and beyond
This year’s event saw an important brand evolution: Human Resource Executive, the media organization behind the event, rebranded as HR Executive and the conference itself as HR Tech. This rebrand signals the organization’s global mission of connecting people to people and people to solutions, says Rebecca McKenna, senior vice president of the network’s HR portfolio.
Along with this rebrand, there was a strong message of continuity and growth. HR Executive remains committed to supporting a global community of HR leaders, with additional events like HR Tech Europe and HR Tech Asia further expanding the reach of the HR tech conversation.
The 2024 HR Tech showcased a future where collaboration, customization and innovation in technology are at the heart of HR’s impactful role within their organizations. As we look ahead, the challenge will be not only to adopt new technologies but to drive the cultural shifts needed to realize their potential fully.
