UNLEASH America, the International Festival of HR to be held May 7-9 in Las Vegas, today announced a large increase over last year in the number of sessions, exhibitors and startups devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) and skills, two of the top trends in human resources (HR) today. Click here to register for UNLEASH America.
AI sessions increased nearly 500% and skills sessions nearly 200% over last year. UNLEASH America also reported significant increases in the number of exhibitors and the number of startups in the startup competition with products and marketing messages linked to AI and skills.
"UNLEASH America every year features the leading trends in human resources. This year we're especially exploring topics like AI, skills and generational shifts in the workforce, which will have a seismic impact on the future of work, society, culture and the economy. The energy, expertise and passion on display from some of the biggest names in the HR community cement UNLEASH America as the best place to learn how we can prepare for and navigate those changes. There will be exclusive and essential insights into all aspects of HR available for three exciting and transformational days at UNLEASH America," said UNLEASH founder and CEO Marc Coleman.
AI is here to stay
AI is transforming the workplace, and HR and business leaders must keep up or be left behind. UNLEASH America is at the heart of conversations about AI technologies and deployments and will be a showcase for AI startups tackling opportunities and challenges with innovative solutions.
AI sessions at UNLEASH America include:
- Keynote: “From Disruption to Opportunity, Embracing the AI Revolution“ Ethan Mollick, associate professor, The Wharton School, will present the boundless opportunities and incredible possibilities of AI and how we can thoughtfully and consciously embrace it to propel innovation and shape our future.
- Roundtable: Owning the AI Transformation Oracle HCM leaders Lori Pierson, group vice president, HCM transformation and Yvette Cameron, senior vice president, global HCM product strategy will explore actionable ways organizations can use traditional and generative AI to help improve workforce productivity, find and develop talent and deliver hyper-personalized employee experiences.
- Panel: “The Role of Gen AI in HR, What do You Need to Know” HR leaders from LinkedIn, Mercer, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management will unravel the impact of generative AI on HR and explore transformative trends, personalized learning and AI's role in reshaping the future of work.
Skills-based strategy is the new way
Skills-based strategy is a top trend for the future of work. From skills-based organizations to skills-based hiring, skills conversations and initiatives are affecting recruiting, staffing, onboarding and all other HR functions. A truly skills-based organization can also connect to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) efforts, promoting diversity of thought and experience in the workplace versus relying heavily on a college degree.
Skills sessions at UNLEASH America include:
- Panel: “Skills Now, Navigating the Skills Landscape” HR leaders from New York Life Insurance Company, Partners - A Walt Disney Company, Chegg and Cornerstone OnDemand will provide a comprehensive update on the current state of the skills landscape, exploring the progress made, challenges faced, the evolving role of AI and the imperative of implementing a skills-based talent architecture to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce.
- Case study: “Ditch the Degree, How Organizations and Individuals Can Win with a Skills-First Approach” Heather Yukro, vice president of digital talent, Mastercard, will present a compelling case for a shift from emphasizing degrees and formal qualifications toward a skills-first approach in both recruitment and career development.
- Product Spotlight: “Unleashing the Power of Skills: Talent Intelligence for the Modern Workforce” Xabier Ormazabal, group vice president of product marketing, Eightfold, will present the importance of talent intelligence, the benefits of a skills-based talent strategy, and how to use skills intelligence to achieve business goals as the pace of change accelerates and the demand for skills changes rapidly.
NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson to speak about courageous leadership on the main stage
In addition to the top trends of AI and skills-first strategy, an important theme of UNLEASH America is courageous leadership. Courageous leaders help us navigate through volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, which are present now in geopolitics, economics and technology.
In his address, “The Magic of Work Transformation,” Earvin “Magic” Johnson will reveal secrets to igniting passion and elevating leadership to new heights with the transformative power of courageous leadership.
UNLEASH America has been the most influential HR conference and marketplace in America for more than five years, with continual growth in its number of attendees, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. This year, UNLEASH America projects attendance of more than 5,000 leaders, technology buyers and vendors from over 3,000 leading employers from nearly 100 countries, influencing over 12 million employees and adding $18 trillion to the global economy. More than 200 speakers, including Earvin “Magic” Johnson, will present across 14 stages and summits. Nearly 20 new product launches are also expected. UNLEASH America provides opportunities to engage with the latest trends and innovations in HR, learning and recruitment technologies. These emerging trends include artificial intelligence and skills-first strategy in an unprecedented era for HR.