UNLEASH World 2025 drew HR leaders, technology vendors and industry analysts together to make sense of an industry in rapid transition. Artificial intelligence dominated nearly every conversation, but the most valuable insights came not from the marketing messages on display, but from the honest discussions about what AI implementation actually requires. The event revealed an industry grappling with a fundamental tension: technology is advancing faster than most organisations can adopt it.

Most AI in HR is automation, not intelligence

Bolt-on AI features deliver quick wins, but native AI drives transformation

Workforce planning and skills management are strategic priorities again

Legacy systems struggle with interoperability and unstructured data

AI cannot replace human judgement on context and culture

Continue reading for a deeper look at what these insights mean for your organisation.

Walking the exhibition floor at UNLEASH World 2025, you could be forgiven for thinking artificial intelligence has already solved every HR challenge imaginable. Dashboards promised insights, copilots offered assistance, and smart systems claimed to automate everything from recruitment to performance management. Yet, behind the polished demonstrations, a more complex reality emerged.

Much of what is labelled as intelligence was actually sophisticated automation. The systems were impressive, processing tasks with remarkable speed and accuracy. 

However, true intelligence requires more than speed. It demands the ability to understand context, adapt to new situations, and make judgements that account for nuance.

A vast majority of the current HR technology solutions have yet to bridge that gap. Organisations investing in AI-powered HR systems often expect transformational change but receive incremental improvements to existing processes.

From bolt-on features to native intelligence

One of the clearest dividing lines emerging at UNLEASH World 2025 was between organisations treating AI as an add-on feature and those building it into their core operations. 

Bolt-on AI involves adding intelligent features to existing systems and workflows. An AI assistant helps write job descriptions faster, but the approval chain remains unchanged. A chatbot answers employee questions, but the underlying policies stay static. This approach delivers quick wins with minimal disruption.

Native AI requires rethinking entire workflows from first principles. It changes how data flows through systems, how decisions get made, and who makes them. This path is messier and more uncomfortable, but it unlocks possibilities that bolt-on solutions cannot reach. 

The systems learn and improve continuously, adapting to changing conditions rather than executing fixed rules. The organisations making the most progress were those willing to embrace this discomfort, redesigning jobs, flattening hierarchies, and questioning assumptions about how work should be structured.

Beneath the AI headlines, UNLEASH World 2025 showcased a quiet renaissance in workforce planning and skills management. After years of taking a back seat to flashier HR technology trends, strategic workforce planning has returned as a critical capability.

The reasoning is straightforward: AI makes many tasks faster and some roles redundant, but it also creates demand for new capabilities. Organisations need clear visibility into their current skills inventory, future requirements, and the gaps between them. When HR, finance and operations share a unified view of workforce capacity, capability and cost, planning stops being an annual ritual and becomes a continuous strategic process.

Several themes emerged around skills management. Skills taxonomies remain important, but organisations are moving beyond static lists. The most sophisticated approaches treat skills as dynamic, tracking how they evolve and combine in practice. This allows for more accurate matching of people to opportunities and better predictions about capability gaps.

The challenge is that most organisations are still building their foundations, with islands of skills data scattered across learning systems, performance tools, and recruitment platforms.

The major HR platform vendors demonstrated progress at UNLEASH World 2025, but they also revealed ongoing challenges. Legacy systems built for structured data and predetermined workflows are struggling to incorporate AI capabilities that thrive on unstructured information and adaptive processes.

Interoperability remains a persistent issue. Organisations typically run multiple HR systems, each with its own data model and integration approach. Adding AI capabilities across this fragmented landscape requires significant technical work. 

 gained considerable attention at the conference, establishing transparency and ethical standards that affect how HR technology gets built and deployed. The technical challenges are compounded by regulatory ones, and organisations need solutions that address both simultaneously.

For all the discussion about AI's capabilities, UNLEASH World 2025 also clarified its limitations. AI excels in pattern recognition, prediction, and automation. It struggles with context, creativity, and conceptual thinking. It can analyse vast amounts of data about employee engagement, but it cannot understand why a particular team feels unmotivated. It can screen thousands of CVs, but it cannot assess whether a candidate will thrive in a specific company culture.

This reality reshapes what HR professionals need to focus on. The administrative tasks that consume so much time are increasingly handled by technology. What remains is the work that requires human judgement: understanding organisational dynamics, designing meaningful employee experiences, navigating complex interpersonal situations, and making ethical decisions about people's careers and livelihoods. The question is not whether AI will handle routine tasks, but whether HR functions can step up to more strategic roles.

UNLEASH World 2025 painted a picture of an industry in transition. The technology is advancing rapidly, the business case is becoming clearer, and the potential for transformation is genuine. 

However, realising that potential requires more than purchasing new software. It demands a willingness to redesign workflows, develop new capabilities, and make difficult decisions about how work should be structured.

Success requires combining powerful tools with thoughtful change management, clear governance, and a genuine commitment to helping people adapt. Whether your organisation is just beginning to explore AI in HR or already deep into implementation, the path forward requires careful navigation. If you would like to discuss how these insights from UNLEASH World 2025 apply to your specific context, 

we would be happy to continue the conversation

Thousands of HR and technology leaders descended in Paris last week for UNLEASH World 2025, the industry's flagship event for exploring the intersection of people, technology and the future of work. Between the keynotes, expo floor demonstrations and hallway conversations, several clear themes emerged about where HR technology is heading and what it means for organisations navigating an AI-driven transformation. 

What UNLEASH World 2025 revealed about AI and the future of HR

Last week, Paris was buzzing with innovation as the UNLEASH World HR and Payroll Services Conference brought together industry leaders, HR professionals and cutting-edge technology providers.

Amongst these industry leaders and professionals were incredible crepes, champagne and a dynamic team of Zalaris experts exchanging innovative insights on global HR and payroll services and solutions. Here’s how the event redefined HR tech and uncovered key innovations that will shape the future of work.

The AI Revolution: Leading the HR Transformation

AI and automation took centre stage at UNLEASH 2024, setting the tone for discussions on the ever-evolving workplace and how technology is reshaping the HR landscape. Several sessions focused on AI innovations which are not only streamlining operations but also providing predictive insights to improve decision-making.

One of the most talked-about sessions came from Josh Bersin, a renowned industry analyst, who delivered a thought-provoking address on the “The AI Revolution.”

Bersin discussed the growing influence of AI and automation, and its disruptive impact on the HR landscape. He emphasised how perfecting a strategy for harnessing technology will empower organisations to stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment.

A key takeaway was that with AI becoming an integral part of HR, it’s no longer as simple as just adopting the new tools. HR teams need to ensure that chosen AI solutions align with their company’s specific standards, industry requirements, and long-term goals.

Employee Satisfaction: The Heart of Future Workplaces

Employee experience remained a top priority for many organisations attending UNLEASH 2024, noting its direct impact on productivity, retention, and engagement. With the shift towards hybrid work models, fostering a sense of belonging and connection has become more challenging – and crucial.

Discussions were focussed on the need for more dynamic approaches to learning and development. Platforms offering personalised training experiences are becoming critical as companies seek to retain talent by encouraging continuous learning and upskilling, ensuring employees remain engaged and future-ready.

A key takeaway was from Dr Kirstin Ferguson who closed UNLEASH with insights on modern leadership and finding the right times to harness empathy in leadership.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Building Inclusive Workplaces

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives were another cornerstone of the event. As workplaces evolve, so too do expectations around inclusive policies that address the needs of diverse employee populations.

Sessions explored how technology can help track and enhance diversity metrics. Tools now exist to monitor hiring practices, pay equity, and career progression, ensuring that companies are not just talking about DEI but actively promoting it through actionable data​.

A key takeaway came from Claire Isnard, Chief People and Organisation Officer, Chanel. Isnard spoke of the need for courageous leadership to foster trust in a workforce and generate collective success.

Data Driven HR: Unlocking the Power of Analytics

Data-driven HR strategies were a focal point at this year’s conference, with discussions on how data can drive decision-making across all HR functions—from recruitment to employee engagement and performance management. Companies are increasingly using analytics to predict trends, assess workforce needs, and create more agile, responsive organisations.

Speakers noted how advanced analytics platforms are empowering HR teams to make better decisions about talent acquisition, workforce planning, and diversity initiatives​.

A key takeaway was that by harnessing both real-time data and AI-driven insights, organisations can proactively respond to workforce trends, ensuring competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment.

The Evolution of Global Payroll and Compliance

As businesses continue to expand and remote work becomes more prevalent and acceptable, global payroll is becoming increasingly complex. At UNLEASH 2024, global payroll innovations were highlighted, with a strong focus on compliance.

Zalaris led conversations on how companies can utilise automation to navigate global compliance challenges efficiently. With tools that support real-time payroll calculations, companies can stay ahead of ever-changing tax and labour legislation, improving both operational efficiency and employee satisfaction​.

A key focus was the integration of cloud-based payroll systems as a solution to facilitate cross-border payroll operations.

The HR landscape is constantly changing, driven by ongoing legislative updates and rapid technological advancements. Partnering with a reliable HR and payroll services provider can ensure your organisation stay compliant with evolving regulations whilst taking full advantage of the latest technologies.

 to discuss the future of your partnership with Zalaris.

The UNLEASH World HR and Payroll Services Conference was buzzing with industry leaders, HR professionals and cutting-edge technology providers. Here are our key takeaways on how the event uncovered key innovations.

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UNLEASH World 2024: Redefining HR tech and unveiling key innovations

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