Forum on the Future of AI in Human Resource Management 2025
Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Enterprise Digital Transformation
Date: 20 May 2025
The Forum on the Future of AI in Human Resource Management 2025, hosted by HKU Business School in collaboration with The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association (HKCEA), gathered 280 attendees at the Rayson Huang Theatre, The University of Hong Kong. The event united academic experts, business leaders, alumni, and students to discuss key challenges and practical opportunities in HR management amid AI-driven digital transformation.
Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics at HKU Business School, and Mr. Fujun MA, Chairman of the Human Resources Committee at HKCEA and Deputy General Manager of China Overseas Holdings Limited, delivered the welcoming remarks. They emphasized the importance of embracing AI’s impact on business and HR, while keeping people at the center of innovation.
Keynote Insights on AI’s Impact in HR
Professor Jin LI, Area Head of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School, presented the keynote titled “The Compression Effect in AI-driven Talent Management.” He identified three core areas influenced by AI:
- Skill compression: AI improves performance, reduces skill gaps, and accelerates talent development, urging organisations to rethink talent demand and workforce strategies.
- Motivation compression: Rapid AI-generated results may reduce employee motivation, calling for revised incentive models and job designs.
- Team compression: AI may lead to smaller, agile teams or individual collaborations with AI, transforming traditional organisational structures.
Practical Experiences from Industry Leaders
Several senior HR executives shared their real-world experiences implementing AI in human resource management:
- Mr. Wenyang CAO, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at China Overseas Land & Investment Limited, highlighted human-machine collaboration as key. AI automates administrative tasks, improves knowledge transfer, and frees HR to focus on strategic, value-driven work.
- Mr. Yu WANG, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources at China Merchants Group, pointed to the rise of a “digital intelligentsia” working alongside humans. Future HR systems will better understand business scenarios and deliver personalised solutions, supporting specialised roles.
- Mr. Yueqiang ZHANG, Vice President of Yonyou Network Technology, stressed the need for disruptive AI transformation (“AI+” approach) rather than simply adding AI to existing processes. HR professionals must evolve to understand AI deeply and become architects of human-machine collaboration.
Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Driven HR
Moderated by Professor Jie GONG of HKU, the panel featured leaders from China Unicom (Hong Kong), China Merchants Port Holdings, China Mobile Hong Kong, and Huawei Hong Kong Research Center. They agreed that AI will reshape organisational structures and HR roles significantly. HR professionals will need AI skills to guide companies through digital and intelligence-driven transformation.
The discussion highlighted three trends:
- Substitution of routine tasks by AI
- Reinforcement of HR capabilities with AI tools
- Enhancement of overall corporate efficiency through data and digital platforms
Future enterprises will require integrated management systems combining traditional HR with digital platforms, data governance, and AI-powered services. This dual-model approach will serve both human employees and intelligent systems.
Looking Ahead
This Forum marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between HKU Business School and HKCEA, aiming to bridge academic research and industry practice. The goal is to prepare HR professionals to adapt, innovate, and lead confidently in an AI-integrated workplace.
For HR professionals seeking to build AI skills and explore practical applications, exploring courses on AI in HR and related fields can provide valuable knowledge. Resources such as Complete AI Training’s HR-focused courses offer relevant learning paths.
Contact for Media Enquiries
- HKU Business School
- Chang LIU, Manager Communications and Public Relations
Tel: +852 9087 2115 / +852 3917 5343
Email: changlbs@hku.hk - Denise HO, Manager Communications and Public Relations
Tel: +852 9872 2184 / +852 3917 4047
Email: denise1@hku.hk
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