The HR Conclave 2025 at Chanakya University in collaboration with NHRD Bangalore Chapter, gathered thought leaders, HR professionals, and industry experts to discuss the rapidly evolving world of work in the context of technological advancements, especially driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The event, which took place on 28th Feb 2025. The Conclave focused on the theme “Navigating the Future of Work – Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,” a topic that has become increasingly relevant as AI continues to reshape industries and the workforce landscape.
Keynote Address by Sri Mohandas Pai
The event opened with a keynote by Sri Mohandas Pai, Chairman, of Aarin Capital, who highlighted AI’s transformative impact on HR—reshaping hiring, workforce planning, and leadership development. He emphasized the need for agility, continuous learning, and ethical AI adoption to build resilient, future-ready organizations. “As we stand at the crossroads of a rapidly changing world, the future of work is being redefined by four powerful forces: demography, the digital revolution, the expansion of technology and automation, and the shifting dynamics of geopolitics. Physical labor will diminish as we embrace a new era of modernization, where robotics and intelligent automation take center stage. The convergence of these trends will shape an exciting and challenging future, demanding adaptability and foresight in approaching work and innovation, ” said Sri Mohandas Pai.
Prominent speakers included Sushant Tharappan (Infosys), Sreenivasa R. Kanduri (TCS), Sivaramakrishnan (Bosch Software Technologies), Nalini George (Bangalore International Airport Limited), K R Sekar (Deloitte), and Pradeep R (Exide), each offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities posed by AI and automation within the human resource sector. The discussion was skilfully moderated by Nandita Gurjar a leading HR professional, influencer, and former CHRO of Infosys. The Panel discussion focused on Talent Acquisition, Management, and Retention in the Age of AI and Automation. Panellists explored key themes, including reskilling, workplace culture, performance management, and AI-driven decision-making.
Key Insights of the Panel Discussion
Sushant Tharappan (Infosys) on the Shift in job roles due to AI and Automation
Sushant Tharappan, Senior HR Leader at Infosys, shared his perspective on the fast-paced shift in job roles due to AI and automation. He emphasized the critical need for reskilling and upskilling initiatives, particularly to help employees transition to new roles as traditional job functions evolve or become obsolete. Sushant stressed that AI-driven job shifts present both challenges and opportunities. He called for HR departments to play an instrumental role in fostering an organizational learning culture, where continuous education and adaptability are central to workforce sustainability.
His insights underscored that AI will not replace jobs, but it will drastically alter job requirements, demanding workers to learn new skills quickly and efficiently to stay relevant in the job market.
Sreenivasa R. Kanduri (TCS) on Proactive Workforce Management
Sreenivasa R. Kanduri, Vice President at TCS, shared his thoughts on how proactive workforce management strategies can help organizations bridge existing skill gaps. He emphasized the importance of identifying skills that will be in high demand in the coming years and aligning employee development programs to meet those needs. According to Kanduri, proactive planning involves forecasting the future skill needs of an organization, ensuring that training programs are updated regularly, and creating a culture of continuous learning. He also stressed the importance of mentoring and fostering leadership that can guide employees through transitions brought about by technology.
Sivaramakrishnan (Bosch Software Technologies) on AI and Human Engagement
Sivaramakrishnan, an expert in AI integration at Bosch Software Technologies, presented a compelling argument for finding the right balance between AI-driven efficiency and human engagement. He acknowledged that AI has the power to revolutionize industries by improving productivity and streamlining processes. However, Sivaramakrishnan cautioned that organizations must ensure that automation does not erode the human connection that is crucial for team dynamics and leadership. He advocated for AI applications that complement human decision-making and enhance collaboration, rather than replacing human workers altogether. His call was for AI to serve as an enabler, fostering a more harmonious work environment that leverages both machine and human strengths.
Nalini George (BIAL) on AI’s Role in Personalized Learning
Nalini George, Head of HR at Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), addressed the impact of AI in the realm of personalized learning and performance tracking. She emphasized AI’s ability to tailor learning experiences based on individual strengths and weaknesses, enabling employees to progress at their own pace. Nalini highlighted how AI can be used to track and evaluate employee performance more accurately, helping identify areas for improvement and development. However, she also reminded the audience of the importance of adhering to ethical practices when using AI for learning and performance evaluations, ensuring fairness and preventing bias.
She pointed out that AI must be used responsibly to ensure that it serves as a tool for growth rather than becoming a mechanism for unfair advantage or discrimination.
K R Sekar (Deloitte) on Transparency in AI-powered Talent Assessments
K R Sekar, Principal at Deloitte, discussed the increasing use of AI in talent assessments and recruitment processes. Sekar highlighted that while AI can significantly streamline the hiring process, organizations must maintain transparency in how AI-powered assessments are conducted. He argued that one of the key ethical concerns in the use of AI for recruitment is the risk of bias, particularly if AI models are trained on flawed or non-representative data. Sekar called for the implementation of checks and balances in AI systems, along with full transparency in their decision-making processes, to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly and equitably.
Pradeep R (Exide) on Hybrid Work and Ethical Considerations
Pradeep R, Chief HR Officer at Exide, offered insights on the impact of AI in hybrid work environments. He discussed how AI tools can facilitate seamless collaboration between remote and in-office teams by streamlining communication, scheduling, and task management. However, he also raised important ethical considerations regarding the automation of HR processes in hybrid work settings. Pradeep argued that organizations must carefully consider the human impact of automating work processes and safeguard employees’ privacy and well-being. He stressed that while AI can improve operational efficiency, HR leaders must remain vigilant in addressing the human aspects of work, such as mental health and work-life balance.
The HR Conclave 2025 provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving dynamics of the workplace in an AI-driven world. Speakers highlighted the importance of reskilling, proactive workforce management, and the ethical use of AI in human resources. While AI promises to improve efficiency and productivity, it also brings significant challenges that must be addressed through careful planning, transparent policies, and a human-centered approach. As the future of work continues to unfold, HR leaders must play an essential role in navigating this transformation, ensuring that technology and people work together harmoniously for organizational success.
The conclave proved to be an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge and strategies to tackle the challenges and opportunities brought about by the future of work.
The HR Conclave 2025 was organized in collaboration with the NHRD Bangalore Chapter to strengthen the bridge between industry and academia while exploring emerging trends and challenges in the evolving workforce landscape. Kasturi Cotha, Secretary of NHRD, played a crucial role in facilitating this partnership, ensuring alignment with NHRD’s commitment to advancing HR practices. This collaboration reinforced the event’s focus on knowledge-sharing and fostering HR leadership interactions amongst themselves and with industry leaders and academia.
The other dignitaries include Prof. M. K. Sridhar, Chancellor; Sri M. P. Kumar, Pro-Chancellor; Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Vice Chancellor; Sri Nagaraj Reddy, Chief Operating Officer; Sri Raghavendra K, Director, Human Resources and the Deans of various Schools. The Conclave witnessed the participation of over 150 industry and HR professionals, fostering engaging discussions on the evolving workforce landscape. The Q&A session following the panel discussion provided deeper insights and underscored the urgency for industries to adapt to changes driven by AI, automation, data analytics and hybrid work environments. Faculty members and students also played an active role in ensuring the success of the event.
