Workday Rising: Exploring AI Trends in HR with Kathy Pham and Dave Wachtel

At Workday Rising in Las Vegas, we had an insightful conversation with Kathy Pham, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Workday, and Dave Wachtel, General Manager of Talent Products. Sitting on the beautiful Workday Forever Forward Tour Bus, the discussion centered around the evolving role of AI in HR and how it’s transforming everything from recruiting and hiring to employee engagement and internal mobility. Their insights highlighted how AI is reshaping the future of HR technology for everyone.

 

The State of AI in HR

Kathy Pham opened the discussion by outlining the current state of AI in HR, emphasizing its growing role in unifying HR and financial systems. She highlighted how AI can provide seamless, intuitive solutions that improve overall efficiency and decision-making. AI has become a key enabler of more connected, data-driven processes in HR, allowing organizations to gain a full picture of their workforce while automating routine tasks to free up valuable time.

 

“We want to build systems to help us all be better at work, to connect with each other, to grow to support our families, with our payroll.”

 

Dave Wachtel took this a step further by discussing the value of incremental AI implementation. Rather than being overwhelmed by the idea of full-scale AI transformation, Dave recommended that HR leaders start small, focusing on areas where AI can make an immediate impact, whether it’s improving candidate sourcing or automating payroll tasks. He shared how one company saw a 138% increase in internal job applications after implementing Career Hub, demonstrating the potential of AI to enhance internal mobility and employee development. From there, organizations can scale AI initiatives as they grow more comfortable and see the overall benefits.

 

Navigating AI Hype and Hesitation in HR

One of the main points Kathy brought up was the hesitation many HR leaders feel around AI adoption. Often, this reluctance stems from the intense hype surrounding AI. Kathy pointed out that many HR professionals—particularly those in middle management—face pressure from employees and executives. Employees may wonder, “If I can use AI in my personal life to plan a multigenerational trip with dietary restrictions, why am I still clicking through work systems manually?” Meanwhile, executives are urging teams to find AI solutions that add value to HR operations. This push-and-pull dynamic can make navigating the AI landscape feel overwhelming.

 

To combat this, Kathy recommended leveraging resources like AI masterclasses that help demystify the technology. Workday has produced several AI-focused sessions aimed at explaining how AI can be applied in HR, from employee experience to talent management. These resources aren’t product pitches but aim to help HR professionals understand how AI can address specific challenges.

 

Workday AI Masterclass: Learn About AI in Business from Workday Leaders

 

Getting Started with AI: Your Enterprise AI Journey Starts Here

 

The Business Value of AI: Time Saved, Time Well Spent, and Greater Value

 

The Future of AI Agents in HR 

One of the most exciting developments Kathy and Dave discussed is the concept of AI agents in HR—tools designed to handle complex workflows and reduce manual tasks. These AI agents will enable HR teams to automate repetitive processes like creating job requisitions, screening candidates, and scheduling interviews. The goal is to streamline HR operations, allowing professionals to focus on strategic initiatives and providing a more seamless experience for employees and managers.

 

Kathy mentioned that while the term “agents” might evolve, the underlying concept will remain central to the future of HR technology. AI will help HR professionals move away from rule-based workflows to a more intuitive, natural way of interacting with systems, similar to how individuals use tools like ChatGPT in their personal lives. This shift will reduce the cognitive dissonance employees feel when they encounter outdated work tools compared to modern consumer technology.

 

At Workday Rising, four new AI Agents were announced: Recruiter, Expenses, Succession, and Workday Optimize. Learn more about the upcoming agents and more, powered by Workday Illuminate, below.

 

Workday Rising: Introducing Workday Illuminate, the Next Generation of Workday AI

 

Customer Perspectives: AI in Action

Throughout the conversation, Kathy and Dave highlighted how companies like Johnson Controls and Racetrack are already seeing the benefits of AI in HR. For instance, Johnson Controls uses Workday’s AI-powered Peakon Voice of the Employee product to gather real-time insights on employee sentiment and engagement. This information helps HR teams adjust their talent strategies to improve employee experience and retention.

 

Workday’s commitment to flexibility was also emphasized, with AI-driven solutions like Peakon being rolled out in phases. Instead of relying on annual engagement surveys, which may not capture the fast pace of change, Workday conducts weekly engagement surveys. AI tools help summarize comments and identify trends, allowing leaders to address issues more quickly and accurately.

 

Building AI Communities in HR

Kathy encouraged HR leaders to seek out communities of practice, where they can connect with peers to discuss their AI experiences, share insights, and navigate the hype together. These small, collaborative groups help HR professionals find practical applications for AI and understand how to integrate it into their unique organizational contexts.

 

“We’re talking about things like connecting people to opportunity, improving their work lives, giving them opportunities to develop, and feel included and rewarded while providing for their families.”

 

Additionally, she mentioned Workday’s Built on Workday program, which allows partners to develop AI solutions tailored to specific customer needs. This flexibility enables organizations to adopt AI in a way that suits their culture and business goals.

 

Final Thoughts

AI’s potential in HR is undeniable, but the key to success lies in thoughtful, incremental adoption. By starting with areas that can benefit from automation, leaders can unlock the full power of AI to drive organizational agility and engagement. As Kathy and Dave demonstrated, the future of HR technology will be shaped by AI agents and tools that simplify workflows and provide a more seamless, intuitive experience for employees and managers alike.

 

For HR professionals at all levels, this conversation serves as a reminder to embrace the opportunities AI offers while building a strong foundation of understanding through resources, communities, and practical experimentation. Listen to the full episode below.

AI in HR Tech: The Latest from Workday Rising