BambooHR Connect 2025: Major AI Expansion HR Leaders Can Use Now
BambooHR® used its Connect 2025 event (Sept 30-Oct 1 in Utah, with a virtual broadcast on Oct 7) to roll out a wave of updates built for speed, clarity, and global scale. The theme was simple: lead through transformation with practical tools that cut busywork and support confident decisions.
"Our mission remains the same: to set people free to do great work. What's changed is the world we're working in," said Brad Rencher, CEO at BambooHR. "The BambooHR platform is built to meet this moment, giving HR leaders the speed, insight, and adaptability they need to lead what's next."
What's New Inside BambooHR
- AI-Driven Insights and Support: Ask BambooHR delivers trend insights, content search, and instant HR answers, plus AI-generated feedback summaries for faster reviews and follow-ups.
- Global Hiring via EOR: Hire, manage, and pay global talent with Remote-powered EOR-all from BambooHR. New to EOR? See a quick primer on how employer-of-record models work here.
- Compliance Tools: Access compliance intelligence with VirgilHR plus HR consulting services to strengthen policy and practice.
- Compensation Management: Expanded global data coverage with salary insights across six additional countries.
- Smarter Talent Tools: Candidate self-scheduling, LinkedIn Paid Job Ads, and performance-aligned cascading goals help teams hire faster and execute with clarity.
- Benefits Administration: BambooHR BenAdmin adds dozens of carrier connections to simplify enrollment and changes.
- Benchmarks & Dashboards: Compare metrics to peers, visualize trends, and make decisions with context.
Bottom line: these updates help HR teams move faster, reduce manual work, and support global growth with confidence. For an overview on responsible AI practices in HR, see SHRM's guidance here.
2025 HR Experience Maker Award Winners
Connect 2025 concluded with the HR Experience Maker Awards, recognizing six peer-nominated professionals who lead with clarity, creativity, and care. Each winner received a $2,000 vacation stipend, nodding to BambooHR's Paid Paid vacation benefit.
- Problem Solving: Kim Annetts, HR & Quality Manager, Mills CNC - Led people-first changes, including redesigned work hours that improved engagement, productivity, and work-life balance. Nominated by Tara Kosky, HR & Quality Assistant.
- Heart & Soul: Krystal Eason, Director of People Operations, Saxbys - Built trust, strengthened communication, and prepared the org to scale with care and intent. Nominated by Jessica Rengers, People Operations Generalist.
- Employee Experience: Afiqah Mustafa, Manager, People Analytics and Rewards, QS Quacquarelli Symonds - Streamlined processes, automated workflows, and delivered solutions that made work smoother across a global team. Nominated by Alisha Bartl, Chief People Officer.
- Business Growth: Travis McCracken, Human Resources Manager, Global Laser Enrichment - Scaled headcount from 15 to 100+ in three years while meeting Top Secret/Q-level clearance requirements and keeping growth compliant. Nominated by Elizabeth Anderson, Executive Assistant.
- Strategic Leadership: Caroline Marcus, Manager, HR, Anaqua - A trusted partner who brings clarity and fairness across payroll, benefits, promotions, and reviews, backed by strong compliance expertise. Nominated by Lindsay Fegan, Senior Director, HR.
- Career Advocate: Destiny Schindler, Human Resources & Facilities Manager, Elemental Enzymes - Secured grants for certifications and training, expanding opportunity and building a culture of learning. Nominated by Katie Thompson, COO.
Watch Connect 2025 On Demand
Missed the event? Get the full breakdown and demos here: bamboohr.com/connect.
How HR Teams Can Put This to Work Now
Start with quick wins. Turn on Ask BambooHR and pilot it for policy questions and feedback summaries. Enable candidate self-scheduling and set clear response SLAs. Benchmark three metrics in your dashboard (e.g., time-to-fill, first-year attrition, internal mobility) and set cascading goals with quarterly check-ins.
If you need structured upskilling on AI tools and workflows for HR, explore curated options by role here.
About BambooHR
BambooHR® is a leading HR software platform for HR, payroll, and benefits in one ecosystem-built to free teams to focus on people. With AI-powered insights and comprehensive reporting, HR leaders gain data to improve engagement, retention, and performance. Trusted by HR professionals in over 30,000 companies across 190 countries and 50 industries, BambooHR supports millions of users across the employee journey.
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