Applaud Wins Prestigious AI Award for HR Technology
Applaud has been recognized with the AI Award for HR technology in industry, marking a significant achievement for this mid-sized vendor. Ivan Harding, Co-Founder and CEO at Applaud, expressed his excitement: "We're not a big company, so whenever we get something like this, recognized by our customers, it means a lot. Our team's very excited."
Transforming HR with AI: Applaud’s People+Connect
Applaud has transformed HR support at Smith+Nephew with its cloud-based, AI-native platform called People+Connect. This platform integrates generative AI with enterprise systems such as Workday, ServiceNow, and Saba, unifying fragmented HR systems into one seamless, consumer-grade employee experience.
At its core sits a 24/7 AI Assistant acting as a digital HR Business Partner. It handles thousands of multilingual queries each month by intelligently searching a vast library of HR documents and training materials. The assistant offers hyper-personalized responses and escalates to human support when necessary.
A dynamic knowledge management layer, powered by real-time analytics, continuously improves content accuracy, tone, and bias. This ensures employees across over 100 countries receive relevant support in their native language.
Within three months, Smith+Nephew saw significant improvements in efficiency and employee satisfaction. Applaud emphasizes ethical AI use, including built-in domain controls, human oversight, and strict data privacy policies — no customer data is used for model training. This commitment builds enterprise trust and security.
Beyond Smith+Nephew, Applaud’s deployments consistently deliver high return on investment. By embedding generative AI into HR processes, the platform reduces operational complexity while improving the employee experience. According to Ivan Harding, "This shows the future of AI in HR: decentralized, human-first, and adaptive."
The Global Tech & AI Awards 2025
The Global Tech & AI Awards, held on May 14 at 155 Bishopsgate, celebrate innovation in technology with a focus on strategic impact, customer value, and ethical AI use. Glen White, CEO at BizClik Media, commented on the event’s importance in highlighting breakthroughs that advance technological progress.
AI Award: Recognizing Real-World Impact
This award category honors AI solutions that solve practical problems, enhance efficiency, and improve customer experience. It also emphasizes responsible AI practices and measurable benefits to organizations and industries.
Shortlisted Companies
- Jupiter Intelligence
- Rimm Sustainability
- Jio Platforms Limited
- Fincantieri
- BigID
- MARSS
- Hangzhou EZVIZ Network Co., Ltd.
Highly commended: Jupiter Intelligence & Rimm Sustainability
Jupiter Intelligence: Climate Risk Analytics
Jupiter Intelligence, based in the US, offers AI-driven climate risk modeling tools. Its platform, ClimateScore Global, provides scenario-based projections for risks like flooding, wildfires, extreme heat, and sea-level rise. These insights support sectors such as insurance, infrastructure, and financial services in managing climate-related risks and regulatory compliance.
In 2024, Jupiter launched Jupiter AI, a generative AI tool that allows users to analyze climate risk data through natural language queries. This makes complex climate data more accessible across organizations without requiring technical expertise.
Backed by over US$100 million in investment, including a US$54 million Series C led by ClearVision Ventures, Jupiter Intelligence is expanding its reach to meet growing demand for climate intelligence.
Rimm Sustainability: Simplifying ESG Management
Rimm Sustainability, headquartered in Singapore, offers digital ESG management solutions for businesses of all sizes. Its cloud platform, myCSO, uses AI to monitor ESG performance, ensure compliance with regulations like the CSRD, and generate auditable reports.
Co-founded by Ravi Chidambaram and Tommy Tan, Rimm focuses on accessibility and ease of use without sacrificing analytical depth. It supports companies operating across borders by addressing regional regulatory requirements. With offices in Singapore, Tokyo, and London, and clients in over ten countries, Rimm has raised US$3 million in seed funding from investors including Beenext and Unison Partners.
By simplifying ESG management, Rimm helps organizations integrate sustainability into their daily operations effectively.
For HR professionals looking to expand their knowledge in AI and its applications, exploring specialized training can be valuable. Complete AI Training offers courses that cover AI fundamentals and tools relevant to HR and business functions. Visit Complete AI Training’s latest courses to explore options that fit your needs.
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