A skills-first mindset has shaped workplaces for years, but what’s next for skills development? As organizations embrace more flexible work models, they’re shifting from traditional roles to a skills-driven approach. How are leaders leveraging skills-based strategies to align employees with projects and unlock growth opportunities? Which tools help track skills, support internal mobility, and connect talent to gig-style assignments? How can HR and L&D leaders forecast the new skills that workers will need in the next few years?

Nearly 60% of HR leaders say AI adoption is one of their biggest challenges, yet many admit they aren’t ready to address the ethical, legal, and cultural risks that come with it. What are the most promising uses of AI in HR and people management, and where should it be off-limits? What risks do organizations face if they move too slowly to adapt? What new opportunities does AI create for employee development, engagement, and retention?

Quiet quitting may have faded, but a new challenge is taking its place: quiet cracking, the ubiquitous term for situations when employees remain on the job yet quietly unravel under stress, draining engagement and productivity. What tools, techniques, and benefits can help leaders support well-workers without overstepping into their personal lives? What role does organizational culture play in preventing or accelerating burnout? ​​How can companies balance performance expectations with compassion for employee well-being?

Frontline workers keep businesses running, yet they face some of the highest turnover rates and lowest engagement levels. Supporting them isn’t just important, it’s essential. How can leaders better connect with and retain frontline staff? What benefits, training, and recognition matter most to them, and how can employers uncover those needs? What tools or approaches can improve their workplace experience, especially in environments where technology isn’t always accessible?

Employers are rethinking benefits as workers demand options that reflect their real lives, whether it’s fertility care, caregiving support, or coverage for treatments like GLP-1s. At the same time, rising costs are forcing companies to weigh innovation against sustainability. How can employers design benefits that meet diverse employee needs without driving costs out of control? How can data and employee feedback guide smarter, more personalized benefits strategies?

Employees are experiencing change overload as organizations continuously adapt, but HR can play a critical role in helping teams navigate transitions successfully. From mergers and restructuring to new technologies and evolving business priorities, the pace of change can outpace the support systems needed to sustain it. How can organizations thrive amid constant change, not just survive? What strategies help leaders keep employees engaged and motivated during periods of uncertainty? Which tools, methods of communication, or change-management frameworks are most effective in minimizing disruption and maintaining productivity?

Upskilling and reskilling are critical business priorities, and modern approaches like AI simulations, role-play, and interactive feedback are transforming how employees learn. The challenge for HR is using these methods effectively while keeping L&D human and inclusive. How can organizations create a culture where learning is continuous and valued at all levels? In what ways do AI simulations help employees build confidence for real-world challenges? What strategies help ensure training is inclusive for all employees, including those with different learning styles and preferences?

With employees ranging from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, today's workforce brings a variety of needs, goals, and expectations when it comes to total rewards and working arrangements. Creating effective employee benefits means offering flexibility and choice to support workers at every stage of life. How are leaders using data, surveys, and employee feedback to shape programs that resonate across age groups? What new tools are helping employers manage costs while delivering meaningful support? And which benefits are having the greatest impact on well-being, engagement, and retention across a multigenerational workforce?

At a time when employees might feel stuck, meaningful recognition matters. How are leaders using data and employee feedback to design recognition and rewards programs that resonate across roles, generations, and locations? What new tools and platforms are helping organizations deliver recognition in real time? Which approaches are proving most effective in motivating employees, reinforcing culture, and creating a sense of belonging across the workforce?

While putting AI to work has its challenges, the technology can help shift the nature of the HR work from administrative tasks toward greater human connection, innovation, and problem-solving. How have HR leaders successfully launched AI in fields ranging from talent acquisition to total rewards? How does it change the nature of their jobs? Is it likely to fully replace certain roles? What are the pitfalls and how can companies set up guidelines to avoid them? What are the risks, on the other hand, of going too slowly in embracing AI?

Corporate leaders talk about the importance of strong culture in setting expectations of performance and team cohesion, but according to research by Gartner, 57% of HR leaders believe managers don’t enforce the company’s culture, while 53% say leaders don’t feel accountable for demonstrating cultural values. How can employers do a better job of spelling out core values that fit the company’s mission, articulating how managers can put them into practice, and being attentive to gaps between the ideal behaviors and the realities in practice?

Technologies like AI have given TA leaders powerful tools to cast a wide net while screening for the right skills and aptitudes. How have innovative employers made the best use of technology by managing bias in the system, improving the candidate experience, and managing expectations for flexible work arrangements? How can TA leaders respond to use of AI by applicants? What can technology do to help TA leaders take a rigorous and objective approach to judging candidates, while still bringing human connection to the role?