Top CHROs expect to continue surfing the technology tidal wave

Estrelita Moses 02 January 2025

All things tech dominated CHRO conversations in 2024 – balancing AI with the human touch, for one, will no doubt continue to dominate in the new year.

AI, chatbots, machine-learning, data analytics, and then some, dominated CHRO chats last year. And no doubt, tech versus the human touch will continue to be a dominant factor in boardroom conversations in 2025. Here’s what top CHROs have had to say over the past year, on all things tech.

Sameera Mohamed, HR director at Microsoft Africa and winner of the Talent Management Award at the 2023 CHRO Awards, says as data privacy rules and AI technology keep evolving, HR directors face a dual challenge of ensuring ethical data practices while fostering an inclusive and bias-free workplace. She shares her insights and strategies to tackle these challenges.

Mahlogonolo Masenya, head of HR at MakwaIT believes the ability to harness data and technology to make informed decisions, foster employee engagement and drive business outcomes is essential for HR leaders. The most effective HR leaders, he believes, are both tech-savvy and emotionally intelligent, balancing innovation with a human-centred approach.

As artificial intelligence continues to gain ground across industries, companies are increasingly confronted with the contentious issues of consent, ethics and whether AI will render certain roles obsolete. Vodacom CHRO Matimba Mbungela says the notion that AI is a passing fad that can be resisted is a limited view of its possibilities, adding that instead, CHROs should think of all the possibilities AI could bring in the near future.

Sharon Taylor, chief people and culture officer at Standard Bank, anticipates the key trends shaping the HR landscape will include the integration of AI, talent mobility and hybrid work practices. She adds that the acceleration of AI will have a significant impact on many aspects of organisations and how they work, and will influence how we think about and configure our workforce and the capabilities they need in the face of these changes.

The conversations continued around exclusive and intimate dinners, accompanied by bespoke menus.

C-suite HR leaders gathered to discuss the profound impact AI and robotics continue to have on HR practices at an exclusive dinner at Table Seven in Cape Town. The prevailing view was to embrace AI, as it is here to stay.

In Johannesburg leading CHROs gathered at the Saxon Hotel and Villas. The robust discussion included how rapidly developing technologies can enhance workforce capabilities, rather than simply replacing jobs, and how HR leaders should guide this transformation.

Estrelita Moses

Essie Moses is the associate editor for Executive Communities. She is a former production editor for Business Insider South Africa, and former managing and mobile editor for News24.com. When she's not frantically chasing deadlines, she spends time with her family, five cats and beloved dog. (She does not have an addiction to stray animals.)

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