AI moves from pilots to enterprise scale - and leadership must adapt
Nearly 300 chief human resources officers, chief talent officers, and AI leaders will gather at the Harvard Club in New York on June 11, 2026, to examine how organizations are operationalizing AI across recruiting, workforce planning, and leadership development. The conference reflects a shift in how companies approach AI: the question is no longer whether to adopt it, but how to scale it responsibly while preserving trust and human judgment.
Most firms still operate with disconnected AI tools rather than fully integrated systems. Josh Withers, co-founder of True, will discuss moving beyond basic automation to create AI-native organizations where data, workflows, and human judgment operate in tandem.
What's actually working at scale
Lorraine Stomski, chief talent officer at Walmart, will share how the retailer applies AI across its workforce of 2.1 million associates. She'll address upskilling, measurement, and what's changing as AI moves from experimentation to daily operations.
A separate panel will examine how leading companies embed AI deeper into talent systems - from predictive workforce analytics to intelligent automation in search and assessment. The focus is on overcoming data integration and change management obstacles to deliver measurable results.
The human element remains central
The firms winning in 2026 aren't automating the most. They're keeping consultant judgment at the center and building operating models where AI handles everything around it. Patrick McAdams, CEO at Andiamo Partners, will discuss how to turn AI into a strategic advantage without losing the relationships and service clients expect.
As leadership roles become more specialized, understanding who has real domain expertise - and when it was earned - has become critical. Alex Bates, CEO of HelloSky, will explore how AI-driven intelligence that connects leaders to moments of growth and transformation moves beyond static titles to reveal actual impact.
What effective leadership looks like now
The definition of effective leadership is shifting. A panel moderated by Ezekia CEO Joseph Blass will examine what talent leaders should prioritize when placing executives in AI-influenced environments - even in non-technical roles. The traits under discussion include digital fluency, adaptability, decision-making under uncertainty, and the ability to lead alongside advanced technologies.
Demand for senior AI leadership is rising rapidly, yet the profile of a successful AI leader remains unclear. Christoph Wollersheim, consultant at Egon Zehnder, will outline key leadership archetypes and the distinct capabilities required to translate AI strategy into business impact. He'll explore the tension between deeply technical leaders and those who excel at connecting AI to enterprise priorities.
Operationalizing AI across the talent lifecycle
Many organizations struggle to move beyond pilots to systems that scale responsibly and earn employee trust. Surojit Chatterjee, founder and CEO of Ema, will explore how leading enterprises operationalize AI across sourcing, recruiting, onboarding, and internal mobility while balancing automation with human judgment. He'll discuss governance models, platform design, and change management strategies that deliver measurable business impact.
For executives and strategy leaders looking to understand how peers are handling AI adoption, the conference offers direct insight into what works - and what doesn't - when scaling AI across talent operations.
Learn more about AI implementation for CHROs or explore resources on AI for executives and strategy.
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