HR transformation in the AI era: Zalaris insights from Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™

Amid global uncertainty and technological acceleration, we noticed a recurring theme emerge in this year’s Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™: The functions and responsibilities of HR teams are being redefined by AI tools. From talent strategy and change management to HR technology investments, organisations are facing a decisive moment in how they harness AI to deliver both operational efficiency and human-centric experiences.

HR is not merely responding to change but leading it. From redefining operating models to mastering change and technology, HR leaders are preparing for a future defined by intelligence, agility and human impact.

AI continues to be a key driver of HR transformation

In their ‘Benchmark the Use of Generative AI in HR and the Workforce’ report from July 2025, Gartner notes that “GenAI adoption in HR is accelerating, with the percentage of HR leaders in advanced stages of GenAI implementation — either actively planning or already deploying — rising from 19% in June 2023 to 61% by January 2025.”

Leaders who embrace AI tools strategically can reinvent the HR function and lead enterprise transformation. Clear vision statements and roadmaps are essential to establish an AI-infused HR operating model.

Talent acquisition and workforce strategies are evolving with increasing AI adoption. In Mark Whittle’s presentation at the Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™ 2025 in London titled ‘Signature Series: CHRO Leadership Vision: Top Trends & Priorities Shaping 2026’ it was noted that “27% of CHROs have redefined job roles or skills due to AI or emerging technologies, 24% have redeployed employees to new roles due to redundancy created by technology, and 10% have replaced employees with AI or automation.” *

The focus is increasingly on shaping work in a human-machine environment where AI is becoming a key driver of optimisation and automation.

Priority actions

• Develop a clear AI vision and roadmap aligned with organisational goals
• Identify high-impact and ethical use cases for agentic and generative AI tools in HR
• Anticipate workforce changes and prioritise employee development where needed
• Collaborate with IT and business leaders to ensure HR leads the AI transformation

Leaders must prioritise workforce planning to survive volatility and uncertainty

Workforce planning and agility have become a core organisational requirement. In Sarah Jackson’s session at the Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™ 2025 in London titled ‘Harness Diverse Employment Models to Meet Evolving Talent Needs’, it was noted that “One in three HR leaders struggles to fill skills gaps quickly enough to meet business demands.” In the same session, it was also revealed that “it takes 101 days to fill open positions.” **

Traditional permanent-only employment models hinder speed and flexibility. CHROs are increasingly turning to diverse employment strategies. These include building internal capabilities through upskilling and internships, buying talent through full-time or part-time employees, borrowing contingent or gig workers, and leveraging automation or AI solutions. Effective and strategic workforce planning requires assessing foundational conditions such as culture, governance, operational enablement, performance management and technology infrastructure.

Workforce planning for various scenarios is critical. Leaders must identify how roles and skills will evolve in an AI-augmented world, co-create new positions with employees and ensure the organisation is prepared for rapid change.

Priority actions

• Assess workforce needs and gaps in line with strategic priorities
• Implement a mix of build, buy, borrow and bot strategies to increase flexibility
• Evaluate cultural and operational foundations before introducing new employment models
• Engage employees in co-creating roles and reskilling initiatives

Effective change management starts from leadership

Change is occurring faster and more complexly than ever. Mark Whittle’s presentation at the Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™ 2025 in London titled ‘Signature Series: CHRO Leadership Vision: Top Trends & Priorities Shaping 2026’ revealed “64% of CHROs agree their leaders and managers don’t have the mindset to lead change effectively. Only 32% of leaders have achieved healthy change adoption. Organizations with above average healthy change adoption report 2x higher YoY revenue growth rate.” *

Transforming change management into a routine, ongoing process requires acknowledging the journey, regulating discomfort and training intuition. Culture plays a central role in sustaining performance, and addressing culture atrophy is essential to maintain engagement and agility.

C-suite alignment is crucial, particularly when implementing AI. Leaders should consider questions such as how AI affects customers, pricing, value propositions, business capabilities, workflows and workforce strategy. Establishing guardrails for ethical AI use ensures trust and mitigates risk.

Priority actions

• Build change leadership capability at all levels of the organisation
• Embed culture initiatives to support continuous adaptation
• Align AI systems and technology initiatives with business strategy and ethical standards
• Monitor change adoption and measure its impact on performance

Tackling growth, performance, culture and employee experience in the AI age

The digitally effective CHRO leads HR transformation through technology while amplifying culture and empowering people. Awareness of emerging digital tools, a growth mindset and active engagement in internal and external networks are essential. Influence is a key skill for driving digital ambition and improving strategy execution across the organisation.

AI should be implemented to enhance human work rather than replace it. Employee experience and engagement must remain central, and the impact of AI initiatives on organisational culture should be continuously evaluated. Diverse employment models also support growth and agility, helping organisations access the right talent mix quickly and efficiently.

Priority actions

• Develop digital literacy and AI fluency within HR and across the enterprise
• Evaluate the cultural impact of technology initiatives
• Foster employee engagement in role evolution and reskilling to promote continuous learning
• Leverage diverse employment models to meet strategic objectives and boost efficiency

HR technology: Strategic priorities for 2026

Technology is a cornerstone of HR transformation. Leaders should revisit legacy technology plans and adapt them to current strategic priorities. Key hurdles such as budget constraints, business case development and user adoption must be addressed proactively. Consolidation of systems, targeted training and annual strategy reviews ensure that HR technology remains future-ready.

Strategic priorities for 2026 include ensuring cloud adoption for flexibility and scalability, communicating HR’s contribution to the C-suite, evaluating cost-effectiveness of operations, and investing in platforms that support change in scale and skills. AI continues to dominate HCM suite development, with a move from AI assistants to AI agents, a focus on responsible AI and consideration of various AI pricing models. Unified platform strategies, partner networks and end-to-end process integration are increasingly essential.

Priority actions

• Update HR technology strategy annually to reflect organisational priorities
• Prioritise cloud adoption and scalable platforms
• Identify and mitigate user adoption challenges
• Evaluate technology investments for cost-effectiveness and future readiness

Partnering for future-ready HR functions in a new era

We left the Gartner® HR Symposium / Xpo™ 2025 with these key takeaways: HR professionals must lead change, integrate AI thoughtfully, and invest in technology that supports human and organisational potential. The organisations that succeed will be those that align workforce strategy, technology and culture to create resilient and agile enterprises.

Zalaris partners with organisations to navigate these transformations, providing expertise in both HR technology solutions and services including implementation, system maintenance, managed HR & Payroll, and consulting. By combining insight, technology and experience, Zalaris helps HR leaders unlock the full potential of their people processes and systems to drive long-term enterprise-wide impact.

Discover how Zalaris can support your organisation in preparing for the future of work and maximising the value of HR transformation. Get in touch with our experts.

References

*Gartner conference, Gartner HR Symposium / Xpo™ conference, 27 October, 2025, Signature Series: CHRO Leadership Vision - Top Trends & Priorities Shaping 2026, Mark Whittlehttps://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/hr-symposium-us

**Gartner conference, Gartner HR Symposium / Xpo™ conference, 27 October, 2025, Signature Series: CHRO Leadership Vision - Top Trends & Priorities Shaping 2026, Mark Whittlehttps://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/hr-symposium-us

Gartner, Benchmark the Use of Generative AI in HR and the Workforce, 17 July 2025.

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