Agenda
Registration
Welcome address

Aditi Sharma Kalra
Editor-in-Chief
[Thought leadership keynote]
Rise of agentic AI and the human-machine hybrid: Making the leap into the augmented workforce
In this opening keynote delivered by a recognised thought leader and AI authority, we set the stage with questions around:
- How to reframe roles around orchestration of tasks, decision-making and collaboration with AI, not mere replacement of humans.
- Strategies to rescope jobs, design human + AI workflows, and prioritise development of skills that AI cannot replicate.
- Guidance for HR leaders to craft new role taxonomies and rework performance definitions to reward outcomes, not tasks.

Josh Skorupa
Head of Digital Transformation & Capability
[Interactive discussion]
Learning circles: Network, co-create ideas, and solve real-life challenges on today’s biggest workforce issues
Let us dive into short, solution-oriented peer-to-peer discussions to set the tone for the day ahead. This segment will allow delegates to get to know each other better, start the day fresh with networking, as well as quickly pivot into solution mindset, by discussing real-life solutions to some of the key challenges being faced across the industry.
Topics of discussion comprise the following:
- No one left behind: Scaling bottom-up AI learning
- How do we ensure every employee – not just digitally-fluent generations – can work with AI effectively?
- Redesigning roles for the human + AI workforce (*Terence Kok)
- What’s the fastest way to re-map tasks between people and AI without disrupting operations?
- Trusting the machine: Building confidence in AI outputs (**Ilja Rijnen)
- How can organisations teach teams to trust, question, and calibrate AI recommendations responsibly?
- Winning hearts, not just adoption rates
- How can we make change management stick when employees resist new tools?
- FOBO and burnout: Tracking the hidden cost of AI adoption
- How can we measure and reduce technostress without slowing down innovation?
- Empowering the middle: Managers as AI multipliers(***Ilham Maulana)
- What do managers need to lead effectively in an augmented workplace?

Terence Kok
Chief AI and Innovation Officer
**Led by:

Ilja Rijnen
VP People Partner APAC & Global Head of Talent Development NPE Division
***Led by:

Ilham Maulana
HR Director for Oral Care, Asia Middle East Africa (AMA) and Product Supply, AMA
Morning break
Take a breather, grab a cup of coffee, and connect with fellow attendees before we dive back into the morning sessions.
[Case study]
From pilot to permanence: A case study in AI-enabled organisational change
As such, this keynote speaker will share their integration journey and provide a forward lens into what the next phase of AI-enabled organisations will look like:
- How their organisation shifted from fragmented automation pilots to a unified AI ecosystem embedded across operations, leadership, and human resources.
- Real life examples of successes and missteps in their journey.
- How they built trust in AI: transparent governance, psychological safety, and communicating the “why” behind AI decisions.
11.50am
[Panel discussion]
Reimagining the HR operating model: From services to products
This session reimagines HR as a product organisation – where Centres of Expertise (CoE) potentially become product teams; HRBPs become talent portfolio managers; and HR tech becomes a business capability.
In this discussion, our panellists will share their perspectives on the future HR operating model, offering concise insights and practical approaches to how HR can evolve in a rapidly changing landscape.
The goal: make HR more scalable, data-driven and outcome-focused.
Expected discussion points include:
- Blueprints for converting the HR operating model into one that is more agile and responsive to changing needs.
- New HR KPIs that would tie directly to business outcomes (such as time-to-skill, talent yield, internal mobility).
- How to balance the speed of experimentation with milestones to measure progress, as well as budgeting & resource allocation.
Moderator:

Alex Png
Chief People Officer, Asia-Pacific
Panellists:

Claire Yu
Senior Director, Talent, Asia Pacific
Otis

Kevin Shepherdson
CEO and Founder

Dharma Chandran
Chief Corporate Services Officer
Toll Group
Networking lunch
Recharge over a hearty lunch, exchange ideas, and make new connections, then return refreshed and ready for the afternoon ahead!
[Speed meetings]
Structured networking session
1.50pm
[Panel discussion]
Change management as the #1 leadership capability: Building agility and resilience into culture
In this lively on-stage panel discussion, get set to understand:
- How to embed change management best practices into the culture and behaviours rather than as an after-thought.
- Simplified and impactful solutions to foster agility, resilience, empathy, and future-readiness capabilities for leaders and people managers.
- Practical tactics to convert tech investments into real productivity and value beyond frontline adoption targets or uptake metrics.
Moderator:

Sophie Liu
Director, Talent and Learning Development

Kingley Lim
APAC Head of Culture, DEI, CSR & Talent Head SEA ANZ
Henkel

Pauline Loo
SVP & Regional Hub Head of HR

Zahina Bibi
Head of Organisational Transformation
[Fireside chat]
Building the organisation of the future: Leveraging AI to drive a culture of agility and innovation
As AI continues to reshape workplaces, HR leaders must rethink how teams are organised to enable agility and innovation. Moving beyond efficiency gains, a strategic approach is required towards the new ways of working, while adopting AI responsibly.
In this one-on-one conversation, we will explore how leaders at DBS are navigating digital transformation, and what this means to its people and culture.
Key discussion points include:
- Building an empathetic organisation that empowers employees with ownership, accountability, and confidence to work alongside AI.
- Enabling continuous reskilling and upskilling to support employees in adapting to evolving roles.
- Embedding responsible AI practices to ensure ethical and sustainable adoption across the organisation.
- Highlighting practical insights to encourage cross-functional collaboration and build customer-centric processes.
Interviewer:

Priya Sunil
Deputy Editor, Southeast Asia
Human Resources Online

Harsh Narula
Head of Customer Experience and Business Transformation
DBS Bank
3.00pm
Afternoon break
Refuel with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a quick chat with peers before we wrap up the day’s final sessions.
3.30pm
[Training ground]
Translators of technology and talent: AI skills that every CHRO needs to know
In this hands-on session, our guests will take away new skills that they can put into use right away – ensuring that the HR function leads, rather than follows, the AI revolution.

Ramya Balakrishnan
VP Global Talent & Development
3.50pm
[Case study]
From fragmentation to flow: Building a tech-powered HR ecosystem
Spreadsheets, manual workarounds, and disconnected systems aren’t just HR headaches—they are barriers to growth. Yet, for many HR leaders, the road to a unified global system is littered with failed implementations and low adoption rates.
Forget the AI hype cycle. This session offers a grounded, battle-tested roadmap for HR leaders ready to move from manual chaos to a streamlined digital function. We’ll skip the futuristic fluff and focus on the practical steps needed to win over your team and deliver tangible results.
Key takeaways:
- The blueprint for unity: How to successfully transition fragmented local processes into a unified global HRIS.
- Practical AI: Real-world applications for AI in HR—from automating job descriptions to elevating performance management.
- The adoption formula: Proven strategies to overcome resistance and turn low usage rates into high employee engagement.
4.20pm
Closing remarks

Aditi Sharma Kalra
Editor-in-Chief
4.30pm