What CHROs Need to Know About AI (Before IT Leaves You Behind)

In this Mastermind session, Jessica and Chris McKay cut through the AI noise and show why HR—not IT—should be leading the conversation.

They didn’t just demo tools. They reframed what it means to be a strategic HR leader in the age of agentic AI—where digital coworkers are real, and the cost of intelligence is rapidly approaching zero.

Key takeaways:

• Agentic AI is no longer theoretical. It’s already reshaping how businesses scale—without adding headcount.
  
  
• CHROs must now manage both human and AI “employees”—from onboarding to offboarding.
  
  
• The true differentiator in the AI era won’t be who has the smartest tools—it’s who has the most clarity around people, data, and business context.
  
  
• AI fluency and governance are fast becoming HR's strategic edge.
  
  
• Chris introduced the USAGE framework and a maturity model to help HR teams benchmark and guide adoption.
  
  

Why this matters now:
If HR isn't shaping how AI enters the workforce, someone else will. And chances are, they won't be thinking about people first.

How to apply it:
Start by leveling up your AI literacy. Then look for lightweight pilots that give your team reps and insights without risking credibility. And make sure you're tracking ROI in terms of both productivity and people impact.

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