AI+HI Project

Explore how the principles of improvisation — flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability — can inspire the design of human-centered AI systems. Just as improv thrives on the “yes, and” mindset, successful AI must work in harmony with human creativity, adapting to our needs while amplifying our potential. Mickey McManus, senior advisor and leadership coach at BCG, shares his perspective on the pa...

How can AI simplify HR, boost employee engagement, and revolutionize the workplace? Logan Sugarman, founder and CEO of Refresh —a startup in SHRM’s 2025 Workplace Tech Accelerator cohort — dives into how organizations are tackling one of HR’s biggest challenges: creating seamless, personalized employee experiences while cutting through app overload and inefficiency. With the help of AI, HR teams c...

AI-powered microlearning is reshaping the way organizations engage, upskill, and empower their workforces. As the co-founder and chief innovation officer of Bites, a startup in SHRM’s 2025 Workplace Tech Accelerator cohort, Hagai Horovitz shares how personalization drives results. “When you’re able to personalize, then you're getting higher engagement. You have employees more connected to your bus...

Learn how AI can help HR teams navigate three critical stages of performance to elevate their decision-making impact. From boosting productivity in basic tasks to orchestrating collaboration in teams — and finally breaking through to reinvent strategies for the future — each step empowers HR to lead with confidence. Guillermo Miranda, co-founder of Atlas Copilot, emphasizes, “The role of HR is to...

AI is reshaping workplace mental health, offering innovative tools for personalized support and stress tracking. However, ethical concerns and the need for human connection remain critical. Marjorie Morrison, SHRM’s new executive in residence for mental health, notes, “We have to be really intentional about using AI to support, not replace, the human relationships.” Tune in to explore how technolo...

Explore how to build more AI confidence and imagination in the workplace with unique, relatable insights from Roy Bahat, head of Bloomberg Beta. From HR’s critical role in fostering innovation to the value of experimentation, Bahat shares practical strategies for navigating this evolving landscape. As he highlights, “AI is like riding a bicycle — and only by riding it can you develop intuition abo...

What are flash teams— and what makes them such a dynamic model for rethinking how work gets done? Melissa Valentine, associate professor at Stanford University, discusses how AI and flash teams are redefining collaboration and productivity in the workplace. Reflecting on the power of AI, she states, "We are all so much more capable, augmented with these GenAI tools." Subscribe to The AI+HI Project...

In this special edition of our podcast, Alex Alonso, SHRM’s chief data and analytics officer, and Nichol Bradford, SHRM’s executive in residence for AI+HI, unpack highlights from The AI+HI Project 2025 event — from driving workplace innovation to fostering inclusivity and accessibility. Get their practical advice on harnessing AI for strategic change, plus learn from real-world successes and chall...

Explore the world of HR technology and AI analytics, uncovering the rigorous strategies behind identifying and validating trends that shape the workplace. Zachary Chertok, senior research manager of employee experience at International Data Corporation, draws on his extensive expertise in workforce analysis to share actionable advice for businesses of all sizes — from startups to global enterprise...

Explore strategies for integrating AI effectively into your business by shifting from traditional leadership to what Keith Ferrazzi calls “teamship.” Join the #1 New York Times best-selling author and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight as he and host Nichol Bradford discuss both the opportunities and challenges AI brings to organizational workflows. “This is not a world of technology or of people,” Ferraz...

On his third day in office, President Trump issued an EO titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in AI,” replacing former President Biden’s 2023 EO on AI. So, what do these changes mean for the future of HR and business? Host Alex Alonso dives into the details with Rachel See, senior counsel at Seyfarth Shaw, and Ben Eubanks, chief research officer at Lighthouse Research. Together, they e...

Go behind the scenes to learn how Walmart is leveraging AI to enhance the employee experience for over 2.1 million associates worldwide. “Through the use of AI, you can actually focus on the humanity piece, and lift that up.” Maren Waggoner, senior vice president of global tech and corporate functions people at Walmart, shares how tools like generative AI-powered My Assistant are streamlining oper...

AI alone is not a value proposition; it’s about solving real workforce problems and creating meaningful impact.” Hadeel Al-Tashi, head of SHRM Labs, breaks down what it takes to drive true innovation in HR. Discover insights into SHRM’s Workplace Tech Accelerator, challenges faced by HR tech startups, and how technology can transform the future of work. Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spot...

Salim Ismail, international bestselling author and founder of OpenExO, states that “exponential growth isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity in today’s rapidly changing landscape.” Discover how your business can harness AI, foster cultural transformation, and implement innovative strategies inspired by companies scaling at the same high speed as technology.  Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spo...

Pattie Maes, professor of media arts and sciences at the MIT Media Lab, emphatically states that “AI should amplify people, not replace them. I'm more interested in enabling people to become smarter rather than teaching machines to become smarter.” Explore how AI can drive human creativity, why over-reliance is dangerous, and why rethinking workplace processes is critical for innovation. Rate/revi...

According to Michael Platt, director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, “understanding the rules our brains live by can help us make better decisions.” From harnessing brain science for designing smarter AI systems to fostering team synchronization for innovation, discover actionable insights for developing adaptive, future-ready leaders. Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

From AI acting as your “coworker” to sparking team imagination and adaptability, Sam Ransbotham, professor of analytics at Boston College, explores the impact of AI tools in the workplace. Discover why Ransbotham says, “The first day is the worst day for AI…[but] it’s going to improve. The idea of machine learning is exactly that: learning.” Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Nichol Bradford is joined by Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work, as he shares his expertise on the critical role of trust in workplace transformation and AI integration. Gain practical insights into fostering inclusivity, empowering employees, and navigating change while strengthening leadership and building thriving, high-trust organizational cultures equipped for the future. Rate/review...

Host Alex Alonso is joined by Alex Haitoglou, founder and CEO of Ovita, to discuss AI's role in mastering critical communication skills and its potential to transform leadership. Gain unique insights into using AI tools to measure, enhance, and apply behavioral skills at scale, ensuring lasting impact in the workplace.  Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Host Nichol Bradford is joined by Xavier de Souza Briggs and Molly Kinder, a senior fellow and fellow, respectively, at The Brookings Institution, as they unpack the "Great Mismatch"—the critical gap between AI-vulnerable jobs and fair worker representation. They explore the role of trust in AI adoption, the challenges of creating equity in a rapidly evolving economy, and practical strategies to e...

Join host Nichol Bradford and Brandon Roberts, GVP of People Analytics and AI at ServiceNow, as they discuss how to leverage AI to transform talent management, enhance employee experiences, and free up HR leaders for high-value, strategic work. Learn firsthand how AI is unlocking creativity and innovation, while ensuring ethical and sustainable implementation. Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts a...

This week, join host Nichol Bradford and Kathy Pham, vice president of AI and machine learning at Workday, as they explore the profound societal impact and workplace innovation made possible by responsible AI. Gain actionable insights into building ethical AI systems, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and creating inclusive frameworks that benefit all. Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts...

This week, host Nichol Bradford connects with Jolen Anderson, chief people and community officer at BetterUp, to discuss how the power of AI, data, and humans—with coaching intervention—are driving performance within the workplace. Explore the game-changing ideas behind making coaching accessible, creating cultures rooted in empathy and resilience, and blending cutting-edge technology with deeply...

Discover how growth cultures can redefine your organization’s approach to AI. Host Nichol Bradford and Mary C. Murphy, CEO of Equity Accelerator, share key insights on moving beyond fixed mindsets to implement dynamic, growth-driven leadership. From psychological studies to real-world implementations, Murphy provides actionable strategies for leaders to foster innovation, empower teams, and delive...

Host Nichol Bradford is joined by Nicole Sahin—founder and CEO at G-P, a global growth platform—to discuss how AI is transforming workforce management. Discover how AI can simplify HR complexities across geographies, from onboarding to cross-cultural communication. Plus, Sahin shares her tips on how to encourage AI adoption within your workforce. Rate/review AI+HI on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.