The Hard Part of AI: Scaling IT

AI Adoption: Putting Humans at the Center

Deb Cupp, President and Chief Revenue Officer for Microsoft’s Enterprise Business, joins the ManpowerGroup’s Work Intelligence Lab Podcast to discuss why AI adoption varies among employees and clients—and what organizations can do to close the gap.  Deb explains that education, understanding, and ongoing skilling are key to reducing fear and uncertainty around AI, helping people recognize the opportunities it creates. She argues that successful AI transformation is not just about the technology itself, but about effective change management, with people at the center and practitioners closest to business challenges helping shape the solutions.  She also highlights the importance of combining strong leadership direction with bottom-up momentum, guided by clear ROI and KPIs to ensure organizations focus on meaningful outcomes rather than chasing “shiny objects.”  Drawing on real-world examples, Deb shares how Microsoft sales teams use Copilot to prepare for customer conversations and proposals—driving a 9% improvement in outcomes. In healthcare, AI-powered transcription and paperwork automation are reducing administrative fatigue and improving the experience for clinicians by 30–40%.  Chapters:  00:00 AI Adoption & Fear of the Unknown  02:48 Unexpected Learnings & Change Management  05:17 From Productivity to Outcomes  07:21 Building Trust in AI Adoption

AI Needs More Than Automation | Schneider Electric

Join us on the latest episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast as we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the industry with Valerie Beaulieu James, the Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup. Learn how AI is reshaping talent architecture, enhancing productivity, and addressing the widening threat of inequality.  At Schneider Electric, AI-assisted maintenance has delivered remarkable impact—reducing technician turnover from 50% to just 6% while also accelerating product launches and improving operational efficiency.  The conversation highlights that effective AI adoption depends on trust built through skilling, leadership, and aligning dataset, skillset, and mindset.  They also explore how to make industry more attractive to youth, elevate vocational roles, learn from Switzerland’s apprenticeship model, redefine productivity as better outputs rather than “more with less,” and address digital divide risks, including for frontline workers and women.  #AI #Leadership #Innovation #TalentManagement #Podcast #FutureOfWork #Inclusion #ManpowerGroup #SchneiderElectric

The Hard Part of AI: Scaling IT

AI is here, and it’s changing the way we work—but are we ready for it?  In this episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, we explore how AI is reshaping the workplace. Kicking off our special mini-series, The Human Edge: Leading People and Technology Through the Now and the Next, this conversation gets under the headlines to examine what responsible, people-centered AI adoption really looks like. From boosting productivity to enhancing job satisfaction, AI is a game changer. But it’s not just about implementing tech; it’s about training and empowering our teams to use it effectively.  Stephanie Cohen, Chief Strategy Officer at Cloudflare, shares her insights on the importance of security and fostering a culture of curiosity when integrating AI. The discussion emphasizes the human aspects of AI integration, highlighting the necessity for curiosity, empathy, and innovation in the workplace.  Chapters:   00:00 The Human Edge: AI and Productivity  05:27 AI in Action: Successes and Challenges  07:39 Curiosity and Grit in AI Utilization  09:49 Content Creators and AI Transparency  11:33 Differences in Workforce Approaches to AI  12:45 The Future of AI in Enterprise Processes

Why You Can’t Hire Your Way Out of a Skills Crisis

With up to $330 million annual losses at stake due to talent shortages, the aerospace and defense sector is at a breaking point. In this episode, Karla Fletcher sits down with Leanne Cann, People Services Director at Babcock International, to discuss why traditional hiring models are no longer fit for purpose and what needs to change.  They discuss the company's innovative approaches to addressing the talent shortage in the aerospace and defense industry. From international recruitment drives to implementing emerging talent programs and strategic partnerships with local universities and communities, Babcock is redefining traditional hiring practices. Leanne also delves into the role of AI in streamlining the hiring process and emphasizes the importance of human interaction in talent acquisition.     Highlights:  * The "Perfect Storm": Why traditional "experienced hire" recruitment is no longer enough to solve the skills gap.  * Emerging Talent & Rebranding: How Babcock scaled from 350 to 850 graduates and apprentices by redefining "Early Careers".  * Transferable Skills: The "Train to Fit" program with a 93% conversion rate, focusing on potential over pre-existing technical skills.  * The Role of AI: Where Babcock uses technology for speed and where human judgment remains non-negotiable.  * Community Investment: Building pipelines through 7,000 hours of annual STEM activities and local university partnerships.  Tune in to learn how Babcock is building a resilient pipeline of skilled workers and contributing to local community growth.

You Can’t Plan What You Can’t See

From Talent Pools to Talent Meshes in the Future of Healthcare Workforce Planning In this episode of the Work Intelligence Lab podcast, our host Karla Fletcher sits down with Jonathan Shilton from Sanofi to explore the complexities and future of workforce planning in the biopharma sector.   With a sobering forecast of a potential 10 million health worker shortfall by 2030, the discussion covers how Sanofi is leveraging data, AI, and innovative workforce strategies to prepare for this challenge. Jonathan shares insights on connecting the dots between internal and external workforces, the role of artificial intelligence and data hygiene, and the ethical considerations in deploying AI in healthcare.   This in-depth conversation sheds light on the critical need for foundational work in workforce management to ensure future success and better patient care. Chapters: 01:52 Introducing Jonathan Shilton and His Role at Sanofi  04:18 The Importance of Visibility and Skills in Workforce Management  06:36 AI and Data Hygiene in Healthcare  09:07 Global Workforce Standardization and AI Implementation  18:02 Future of Healthcare and Workforce Transformation  24:57 Voices in Technology: Builders, Sellers, and Clients  29:21 Future Workforce Trends and Career Planning  31:06 The Role of Generalists and Specialists in the Modern Workforce  35:00 Global Demographic Challenges and Workforce Planning  37:39 The Power of Data in Workforce Strategy  42:18 Exciting Innovations and Future Collaborations