How is AI changing the role of HR in the workplace?

AI is automating routine HR tasks and surfacing data-driven insights, but it also raises new questions about fairness, transparency, and employee experience. HR leaders must now act as stewards of both technology adoption and human culture, ensuring AI serves people rather than replaces them.

What does it mean for an organization to be at a cultural crossroads?

A cultural crossroads occurs when external forces — such as rapid technological change or shifting workforce expectations — outpace an organization's existing norms and values. Leaders must actively define and reinforce the culture they want, rather than allowing it to drift by default.

How can leaders balance efficiency and humanity as AI becomes more prevalent?

Leaders can balance efficiency and humanity by being intentional about which tasks they automate and which require human judgment and empathy. Investing in emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership development helps ensure that productivity gains from AI do not come at the cost of employee trust and well-being.

HR at a Crossroads: Navigating Culture, AI,...

HR at a Crossroads: Navigating Culture, AI, and the Future of Work

Organizations face a pivotal moment as AI adoption, evolving cultural expectations, and leadership demands converge to reshape the workplace. HR and business leaders must make deliberate decisions about how they integrate technology, cultivate culture, and invest in people. The choices made now will have lasting consequences for organizational resilience and employee engagement.

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By Jason Winningham · January 13, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCArtificial Intelligence in HrElizabeth JenswoldFuture of WorkJason Winningham

Key takeaways

AI is accelerating workplace transformation, requiring HR leaders to balance efficiency gains with human-centered practices.

Organizational culture is under pressure as remote, hybrid, and AI-augmented work environments challenge traditional norms.

Intentional leadership investment in people development is becoming a defining competitive differentiator.

The modern workplace is at a crossroads, shaped by the rapid rise of AI, shifting cultural expectations, and increasing pressure on leaders to balance efficiency with humanity. Organizations are being forced to make intentional choices about how they operate, how they lead, and how they invest in their people — choices that will define trust, performance, and relevance in the years ahead. At the same time, professionals are navigating how to build lasting career equity through adaptability, strategic thinking, mentorship, and meaningful connections, all within an environment that is changing faster than ever.

In this compelling episode of the #PQpodcast, we welcome Elizabeth Jenswold, a seasoned HR executive with a global career spanning leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase, Toyota, and a transformative sabbatical with Jane Goodall in China.

Elizabeth shares how the HR industry stands at a critical inflection point — driven by the rapid rise of AI, evolving workplace cultures, and the renewed call for people-centered leadership.

Elizabeth also offers rich insight for anyone curious about entering or growing within HR, including neurodivergent professionals and those exploring career pivots. She shares how to use data for storytelling, the power of mentorship, and how women can keep one foot in the workforce while balancing family and career.

Together, we dive into questions leaders must ask right now:

Should your organization adopt a people-first or agent-first (AI-driven) strategy?
How do you create a culture aligned with your values and your workforce?
What does a strategic HR framework really look like in 2026?

Elizabeth Jenswold is a senior HR and organizational development consultant with executive leadership experience across Fortune 100 companies including CBRE, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Toyota, and Mary Kay, where she led global people strategies and delivered measurable business impact. Her expertise spans organizational strategy alignment, change management, executive coaching, talent management, and large-scale transformation, with leadership responsibility across more than 100 countries and teams ranging from 250 to 25,000 employees. She also brings unique global and purpose-driven experience from her work in Shanghai with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots, alongside ongoing board service and community leadership focused on education, workforce inclusion, and social impact.

This conversation isn’t just for HR leaders – it’s for anyone ready to build professional equity through intentional learning, strategy, and connection.