This year marks my 18th in HR—and it has been a journey through varied organisations, cultures, and industries. Over this time, I’ve seen immense transformation in the workplace over the years, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid work and advancements like Generative AI (GAI). These shifts have fundamentally reshaped the skills many of us need today at work.
For example, in APAC, the impact of GAI is particularly pronounced. We anticipate that skills will evolve by 70% by 2030—well above the 52% shift expected without GAI. Our inaugural Work Change Snapshot also shows that 10% of workers hired in 2024 hold job titles that didn’t exist in 2000. Roles held in most global organisations such as Sustainability Manager, AI Engineer, Data Scientist, and Customer Success Manager, which were not widely heard of, are now commonplace.
This rapid pace of change brings both challenges and exciting opportunities for HR leaders to steer the course for the future of work. There is a need for us to not only adapt but to lead in redefining what success—for both the organisation and professional—looks like.
HR leaders must set the tone for change, leading with both empathy and foresight
As HR leaders, we have a unique role to play in guiding our organisations through transformation, especially employees who may be feeling overwhelmed. Our data shows nearly two-thirds (64%) of professionals around the world report feeling this way as they adapt to the speed of change in their jobs.
I believe this presents a unique opportunity for HR leaders to champion a culture of continuous learning and drive skill development among both leaders and employees, ensuring that everyone is equipped to move forward together. This isn’t just important for employee morale—companies that prioritise this strategy are staying competitive and unlocking new potential to excel in a fast-moving environment.
Encouraging AI adoption can reap other benefits for employees
Building a culture of learning goes hand in hand with embracing GAI within organisations, as both foster growth and progress.
For example, the impact of GAI goes far beyond productivity gains—it also enriches essential soft skills. Employees skilled in GAI technologies, for instance, are five times more likely to develop abilities like creative thinking, design thinking, and emotional intelligence, all of which are invaluable in today’s world of work. The rising popularity of LinkedIn Learning courses across APAC, including Problem-Solving Techniques and Communication Foundations, highlights this shift, with these skills ranking among the top five in demand.
It’s encouraging, then, that 7 in 10 executives in India and Australia are committed to prioritising AI technologies and tools in their organisations by 2025, recognising the accelerating pace of change (with 8 in 10 executives in APAC sharing this view).
Leveraging AI to enhance the human side of our work
Many HR professionals I speak to often find themselves bogged down by time-consuming tasks like synthesising job descriptions, searching for candidates or doing basic screen calls. These tasks distract from their purpose of connecting people with meaningful jobs.
By leveraging AI, we can alleviate this burden and enable our HR teams to focus on what they do best—building relationships and driving strategic talent initiatives. For example, we recently launched our first AI agent to help HR professionals dedicate more time to impactful work—like advising hiring managers, connecting with candidates, and creating exceptional candidate experiences.
I believe these tools will also empower HR professionals to meet the rising expectations that leadership has of them. In today’s fast-paced landscape, HR teams are under unprecedented pressure. For example, in India, 69% of HR professionals report significant increases in workplace demands—a sentiment shared by 57% of their peers in Australia and Singapore. Additionally, six in ten HR professionals agree that experience alone no longer ensures career competitiveness, with over half acknowledging that embracing AI is now crucial for growth and adaptability.
Now is the time for HR leaders to position their companies to thrive amid workforce changes while championing adaptability and innovation within their own teams. The path ahead holds immense potential—let’s lead confidently into this exciting new era.
About the author
Sumita Tandon, HR Director of APAC at LinkedIn is responsible for leading LinkedIn’s HR Business Partners and creating a transformational environment of growth and innovation for employees across the APAC region. She has over 25 years of diverse HR leadership experience across technology, advertising, finance, and hospitality sectors, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role. She has a proven track record of crafting and implementing tailored talent strategies across companies of varying sizes in India and Singapore.
