8 months ago
HR's Future: Humanizing Technology with AI
Achal Khanna, the CEO of SHRM APAC & MENA, talks about how artificial intelligence and digital transformation are changing the role of HR.
She says AI is taking over routine tasks like payroll and recruitment, so HR professionals can focus on more important things like planning the workforce and making the workplace better.
SHRM is helping HR teams learn how to use AI and data to make better decisions.
Different regions like India, APAC, and MENA have their own challenges, but they all want to put people first.
To keep good employees, companies need to offer growth opportunities, recognition, flexibility, and a sense of belonging.
Hybrid work is also changing how companies are structured, making them more flexible and faster at making decisions.
AI is automating transactional HR functions, allowing professionals to focus on strategic priorities.
SHRM is providing certifications and learning frameworks to help HR teams adapt to AI and analytics.
Global HR trends include human-centric leadership, inclusive policies, and well-being support.
Retention of top talent depends on growth, recognition, flexibility, and a sense of belonging.
Hybrid work is reshaping organizational design, moving towards flexible structures and fluid roles.
- Who
- Achal Khanna, CEO of SHRM APAC & MENA
- What
- Discussion on the future of HR in the age of AI and digital transformation
- Where
- India, APAC, and MENA regions
- When
- Present and future trends in HR
- Why
- To adapt to the evolving workplace dynamics and retain top talent
Key facts
- CEO
- Achal Khanna
- Organization
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) APAC & MENA
- Key Focus Areas
- AI, Hybrid Work, Digital Transformation
- HR Evolution
- From support function to strategic, data-driven partner
- Global HR Trends
- Human-centric leadership, inclusive policies, well-being support
- Retention Factors
- Growth, recognition, flexibility, belonging
- Hybrid Work Impact
- Flexible structures, faster decisions, fluid roles
Quotes
Achal Khanna
CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) APAC & MENA
“Each region is unique, but there’s a shared appetite for human-centric leadership. India reports some of the highest workplace culture ratings globally, yet faces retention challenges tied to pay sensitivity. APAC is focusing on inclusive leadership to bridge its diversity, while MENA is addressing high stress levels through culturally grounded well-being policies. The future lies in a “glocal” approach — global efficiency paired with local emotional intelligence.”
financialexpress.com
“AI is automating transactional functions like payroll and recruitment screening, freeing HR professionals to focus on strategic priorities — workforce planning, culture, and employee experience. With the rise of agentic AI, HR is evolving from a support function to a proactive, data-driven partner. For this shift to succeed, organisations must reskill their HR teams in data literacy, AI collaboration, and change management.”
financialexpress.com
