Beyond the buzz: Making AI work in the people profession

Discover how AI is reshaping HR and learn practical tools, prompts and strategies to use AI confidently, ethically and effectively.

AI From Curiosity to Confidence

Artificial Intelligence is no longer something for the future; it is already transforming recruitment, onboarding, learning, employee relations, performance management and workforce planning.

But while organisations increasingly embrace AI, many HR professionals are still asking important questions:

• Where do I start?
• What are the risks?
• How can I use AI responsibly?
• What does this mean for employees and candidates?
• Will AI enhance HR or replace parts of it?

Join award-winning HR and business leader Dr Andrew Stephenson for an engaging keynote exploring the realities of AI in today's workplace, followed by an interactive practical workshop designed to help you build the confidence and skills to start using AI effectively in your own organisation.

Combining strategic insight with hands-on learning, this event will move beyond the hype and focus on what is really happening in organisations today.

With Andrew's trademark blend of expertise, humour and real-world experience, attendees will gain a balanced view of both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for HR professionals.

What to Expect

Keynote session part 1

Humans, Machines and Workplace Expectations: The New HR Landscape

Drawing on the latest research, industry trends and real-life examples, Andrew will explore:

• How AI is transforming every stage of the employee lifecycle
• Where organisations are achieving genuine value and efficiency gains
• The risks, ethical challenges and governance considerations HR must address
• The growing reality of candidates and employees using AI alongside employers
• How organisations can create fair, transparent and effective people practices in an AI-enabled world
• Why AI should be viewed as a tool for enhancing human capability, not replacing human judgement

This thought-provoking session will challenge assumptions, spark discussion and provide practical insights into what HR leaders should be focusing on right now.

Practical interactive workshop part 2

Building Confidence with AI in HR

The workshop will provide a safe, supportive environment for HR professionals to experiment with AI tools and develop practical skills. Developed and supported by our own committee members.

Delegates will learn:

• What AI is—and what it isn't
• Where AI can support HR activity most effectively
• How to write better prompts that generate useful, high-quality results
• How to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs
• The legal, ethical and professional responsibilities associated with AI use
• Practical techniques that can be implemented immediately within their organisation

Attendees will work through examples, discuss real-life scenarios and leave with ideas they can start using straight away.

Learning outcomes

By attending this event, you will:

• Understand how AI is reshaping the HR profession
• Gain clarity on the opportunities and risks associated with AI
• Learn how leading organisations are applying AI today
• Explore approaches to employee and candidate use of AI
• Build confidence in using AI tools responsibly and effectively
• Develop practical prompting skills that improve AI outputs
• Strengthen your ability to assess and challenge AI-generated content
• Identify immediate opportunities to apply AI within your own HR practice
• Leave with practical tools, prompts and ideas ready to implement

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for:

• HR Professionals at all levels
• People Managers
• HR Business Partners
• Learning and Development Professionals
• Employee Relations Practitioners
• Organisational Development Specialists
• HR Leaders exploring AI adoption
• Anyone interested in the future of work and people management

No technical expertise or previous AI experience is required. There will be a follow on event from this on the 6th October at a local organisation where AI enabled tools are supporting the HR processes to enable managers to have better conversations.

Plesae note:

1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.

2. Photography and video production may be taking place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.

3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.

4. As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.