Leading in the AI era: A CHRO’s portfolio approach to real business value

Course Title:

Leading in the AI era: A CHRO’s portfolio approach to real business value

Why CHROs Need This

AI isn’t just a technology shift - it’s a leadership moment. But many CHROs are stuck managing disconnected pilots and vendor-driven experiments that don’t scale or deliver clear value. In this session, your digital co-hosts from CHRO Partners Ian and Alex unpack how CHROs can lead AI adoption with confidence - by using a portfolio approach that connects AI investments to employee experience, operational efficiency, and future innovation.

What You’ll Learn (and Why It Matters to CHROs):

• The AI Sandwich - Explained.
  Understand the full stack: embedded tools, custom builds, and the all-important trust layer. 

Why it matters: without a framework, AI investments fragment fast - and CHROs lose influence over adoption and impact.

• Three Returns That Actually Matter.
  Get clear on Return on Employee (ROE), Return on Investment (ROI), and Return on Future (ROF) - a practical trio to justify spend, guide transformation, and elevate the HR voice in the boardroom.
  
  
• Avoid Random Acts of AI.
  AI pilots are popping up everywhere - but without a system, they stay small and disconnected. Learn how to build a coordinated, trust-building approach that scales with confidence.
  
  
• Rachel Woods’ CRAFTY Model in Action.
  A proven, pragmatic playbook for turning AI ideas into business results. Because CHROs don’t need more hype - they need a way to execute.
  
  
• Lessons From the Frontlines.
  Real stories from PwC, Josh Bersin, and others showing what’s working in coaching, workforce planning, and talent development - so you don’t waste time reinventing the wheel.
  
  
• Protecting Thinking in the Age of AI.
  AI isn’t just about output. It’s about evolving human capital strategy without outsourcing judgment. Learn how to build productivity and protect critical thinking.
  
  

⏱️ Duration:

10 minutes

🎯 Best For:

CHROs or CPOs at companies with 500+ employees who:

• Want to lead AI transformation without technical overwhelm
  
  
• Need practical ways to align AI efforts with people and business outcomes
  
  
• Are responsible for building trust, governance, and capability around emerging tech
  
  

Ps. Not registered for the Big CHRO AI Event yet? Learn more here: https://www.chropartners.com/bigchro25dfw

Sources:

🧠 Thought Leaders & Authors on AI for CHROs

• Chris McKay – Maginative
  “There’s no ROI in AI unless you execute.”
  Advocates for cross-functional AI teams and practical governance. Emphasized in Maginative article.
  
  
• Jeff Woods – Author of The AI-Driven Leader
  Frames AI as a leadership - not just tech - priority.
  Quote: “Every business will be fundamentally changed in the next five years.”
  
  
• Joe Atkinson – PwC
  Shared in PwC research and interviews.
  Focus on responsible AI use and fast-track business operations (e.g., claims, retail openings).
  Quote: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
  
  
• Josh Bersin – Bersin Academy
  Featured Galileo for Managers, an AI-powered coaching assistant for frontline and mid-level managers.
  Mentioned in reports and webinars.
  
  
• Kurt Stroving – McKinsey
  From McKinsey analysis on AI readiness.
  Encourages bold bets and future-of-work investment. Warns against neglecting human capability development.
  
  
• Mary Mesaglio – Gartner
  In Gartner’s “AI Outcomes That Matter” framework.
  Introduced ROE, ROI, and ROF as essential lenses for AI impact.
  Warned of 500%–1,000% cost overruns in genAI initiatives.
  
  
• Rachel Woods – Divya (and formerly The AI Exchange)
  Creator of the CRAFTY framework for AI execution.
  Known for flagging the risks of “random acts of AI.”
  Emphasizes systematized productivity gains. Shared via podcast and newsletters.
  
  

Witte Andrews – Gartner
Known for the AI Sandwich model: embedded tools, custom builds, and trust infrastructure.
Stresses strategic data layering and systemwide adoption.