HR Data Labs

In this episode, David and Dwight continue their “AI-Off,” a deep dive into using AI development tools to automate everyday tasks and create custom applications for HR. They explore the concept of "vibe coding" with platforms like Replit and Base44, discussing how HR professionals can leverage natural language to build powerful tools without extensive coding knowledge. They cover the iterative development process, the importance of subject matter expertise, and the practical realities of cost and security when deploying AI solutions.

[0:00] Introduction

[8:19] The Pros and Cons of AI Development Tools

[17:38] How to build AI Applications with Natural Language

[24:09] The Reality of Building with AI: Costs, Security, and Deployment

[30:24] Closing

Quick Quote

“If you want [AI] to help you use your job better, [using tools like Replit or Base44] is potentially a really great way of being able to utilize your skills and your knowledge in this area.”

Sarah Smart, founder of Horizon Human Resources and a seasoned talent acquisition (TA) leader, joins us this episode to discuss the transformational impact of AI on talent acquisition. We explore how AI is reshaping TA roles, from coordinators to sourcers, and make the case for a fundamental shift in how organizations structure and skill their recruiting teams for the future. Sarah also provides critical advice for CHROs on adopting a skills-first strategy and integrating workforce planning directly into the TA organization to create a more predictive, data-driven, and effective hiring engine. 

[0:00] Introduction

[5:28] How is AI impacting Talent Acquisition today?

[20:32] How will TA structure and skills evolve over the next two years?

[36:18] What is your advice for CHROs?

[44:19] Closing

Quick Quote

“When you flip everything on its head and think skills first, it completely changes the structure of your organization.”

In this special episode, David and Dwight introduce an interesting live experiment: the “AI-Off.” They’ll explore how modern AI developer tools are making it possible for anyone (regardless of their coding background) to build powerful, enterprise-level applications. Listen in as they brainstorm an HR use case and plan the process of turning a simple idea into a functional app in real-time.

[0:00] Introduction

[0:26] The Power of AI in Application Development

[8:07] Brainstorming the HR Use Case

[15:46] Closing

In this episode, we welcome David Noe, host of the Speakeasy HR podcast and a fellow member of the WRKdefined podcast network. David Noe explains how HR leaders and managers can prioritize employee experience (EX) initiatives, even when everything feels urgent. We discuss how to improve EX without adding to already heavy workloads; the importance of effective manager training; and which small, simple changes—like a well-timed "thank you"—can have the biggest impact on employee satisfaction and morale. 

[0:00] Introduction

[8:27] What employee experience initiatives should be prioritized when everything is urgent?

[15:08] How can you improve employee experience without adding to the workload?

[23:29] What small changes create the biggest impact on employee satisfaction?

[31:39] Closing

Quick Quote

“A simple thank you goes a long way for some people, and it really can dramatically change the morale of that person.” 

Market Analyst Dr. Katherine Marie Jones joins us this episode to

[0:00] Introduction

•   Welcome, Katherine!

•   Today’s Topic: The Pervasive Nature of AI and Its Impact on HR

 [8:22] Has AI Gotten to Where It’s Touched Every Aspect of Business?

•   How AI has evolved from a niche topic to an inescapable part of every industry.

•   Why the fear of AI taking jobs is a misunderstanding of how the workforce will be reshuffled, not replaced.

 [23:30] What is HR's Role in Preparing for an AI-Driven Future?

•   The critical need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce to manage and

•   Engage in long-term, strategic workforce planning instead of focusing only on the next quarter.

•   Planning for the improbable and how companies can prepare for drastic but possible shifts in the global landscape.

 [29:57] What are the Hidden Costs of Artificial Intelligence?

•   The immense environmental cost of new AI technology and data centers.

•   How major tech companies are influencing energy costs for everyone.

•   Why HR leaders should be aware of the tangible costs behind the AI tools their organizations use.

 [37:53] Closing

•   Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we welcome back Sean Luitjens, VP of Product Strategy and Partnerships at Salary.com. Drawing from his recent conversations with over 20 WorldatWork affiliates, Sean shares his insights on the most pressing challenges and consistent messages from compensation practitioners on the front lines. He also unpacks the “mass confusion” caused by data overload and new compliance demands, the strategic allocation of limited budgets, and future of merit increases. 

[0:00] Introduction

[5:07] What are the most consistent messages you've heard from WorldatWork affiliates?

[17:47] Where are compensation departments focusing their time and budgets?

[28:17] Are merit increases going away?

[34:36] Closing

Quick Quote

“We don’t always put ourselves in the seats of the [compensation] practitioner . . . There’s so much information coming at them from data, and the one thing that seems to not have changed in the comp budget.”

In this episode, we welcome Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, to discuss the critical need for developing speaker training programs for technical staff within an organization. Neil shares his personal story of struggling with public speaking as an engineer and how it inspired him to help other technical professionals improve their communication skills. He breaks down the common challenges technical experts face when presenting to non-technical audiences and offers practical strategies HR departments can implement to foster better communication across the organization. 

[0:00] Introduction

[6:59] Why is it so important for technical staff to be strong public speakers?

[13:33] What are the biggest challenges for technical people presenting to non-technical audiences?

[20:32] What role can HR play in developing presentation and communication skills for technical staff?

[28:52] Closing

Quick Quote

“A lot of times, technical people, we think that us being excellent at our jobs is good enough, and unfortunately, that's not the case. If you're not good at advocating for yourself, you're not good at communicating your worth to an organization, you get overlooked.”

In this episode, we welcome Prem Kumar, the CEO and co-founder of Humanly, an AI-powered hiring platform. We discuss how AI is reshaping the world of recruiting by improving speed, enhancing the candidate experience, and allowing for greater scalability without losing the essential human touch. Prem also discusses the importance of building trust with candidates through empathetic AI interactions, and provides real-world examples of how companies are using these new tools to make their hiring processes more efficient and effective.

[0:00] Introduction

[8:31] How is AI helping recruiters balance speed and candidate experience?

[16:10] How can you build an AI that earns candidate trust?

[24:57] What are some real-world examples of AI improving hiring efficiency?

[35:23] Closing

Quick Quote

“AI, like any technology, has the ability to make this happen faster, more efficiently, and at a higher quality; but it also has the ability to make bad things happen faster, more efficiently bad, and at a higher quality of bad. It isn’t a way of getting around sound process.”

In this episode, we welcome Carlee Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Leadership Development and Organizational Effectiveness at Hyatt Hotels. We discuss how AI is reshaping leadership, growth, and coaching in the workplace. Carlee also explores the shift from generalized feedback to personalized, data-driven insights, and the importance of balancing AI tools with genuine human connection and empathy. 

[0:00] Introduction

[6:13] How is AI Changing People Analytics and What Does It Mean for Leaders?

[18:05] How can Insights on Skills, Feedback, and Careers Help People Move Toward More Intentionality?

[27:06] What Does It Look Like When We Pair Development With Insightful, Data-Driven, and Personalized Real-Time Coaching?

[34:03] Closing

Quick Quote

“Oftentimes [development tools] are just accessible [at] senior leadership levels. But now I think the question is like, can [AI] democratize that?”

In this episode, we welcome Stan Suchkov, Founder and CEO of Evolve, a next-gen learning platform. We discuss the transformative impact AI could have on the L&D sphere and explore the new opportunities generative AI created for everything from onboarding to employee assessments. 

[0:00] Introduction

[4:11] What New Opportunities has the Rise of AI Brought to L&D?

[13:32] What Potential do AI Agents Hold for the Workplace?

[21:21] How can HR Overcome the Barriers to AI Adoption?

[33:08] Closing

Quick Quote

“If any HR solution finds the opportunity to show ROI, they will become a unicorn in zero years, I have no doubt. It's a huge treasure every platform searches for.”