AI & HR Daily

In this episode, we cover 7 major stories reshaping HR and recruitment:1. SHRM reports HR job demand is down 20%+ from pre-pandemic levels while AI skills requirements surge2. New Cangrade research reveals the 5 soft skills that 83% of AI roles demand3. "Reverse recruiting" — why job seekers are paying up to $15K to have others apply for them4. The Pentagon adds ChatGPT to its enterprise AI platform for 3 million personnel5. OpenAI's consultant hiring spree and what it means for enterprise AI adoption6. UK legal analysis warns of GDPR and discrimination risks in AI recruitment7. Johannes Sundlo's latest FullStack HR article on the dangerous gap be...

Harvard Business School reveals Americans are surprisingly open to AI automation—but draw the line at certain professions. The Atlantic warns America is not ready for AI job displacement. Plus: AI detectors now flag AI-written resumes.🔗 Johannes Sundlo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interjohannessundlo/📧 FullStack HR Newsletter: https://fullstackhr.io📝 HR, We Have a Problem: https://fullstackhr.io/hr-we-have-a-problem/Sources:- Harvard Business School: Public Attitudes Toward AI Automation- The Atlantic: America Is Not Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs- CBS News: AI Detectors Flag AI-Written Resumes

The recruiting game fundamentally changed in 2026. This episode explores the rise of human-AI partnership in hiring, why skills-based hiring is exploding, and how to balance AI efficiency with human judgment.🔗 Johannes Sundlo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interjohannessundlo/📧 FullStack HR Newsletter: https://fullstackhr.ioSources:• ATSOnDemand - Human-AI Partnership in Talent Acquisition: https://power.atsondemand.com/top-ai-recruiting-trends-2026-the-rise-of-human-ai-partnership-in-talent-acquisition/• SmartHR - Talent Acquisition Trends 2026: https://smarthr.co.in/talent-acquisition-trends-2026-ai-skills-based-hiring-and-beyond/

Here's a number that should stop you in your tracks: 55,000. That's how many jobs were explicitly attributed to AI layoffs in 2025—twelve times higher than two years ago.

But while some companies are cutting, Cognizant just announced they're hiring 24-25,000 fresh graduates, crediting AI as the reason they can hire more.

Today's episode explores:

Good morning! Today's episode covers:

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Follow Johannes Sundlo on LinkedIn for daily insights on AI and HR.

This episode is AI-generated...

Monday's top stories: Gartner says only 1 in 50 AI investments deliver transformational value. OpenAI launches Frontier, an enterprise platform that could disrupt Salesforce and Workday. AI agents are now handling payroll, promotions, and layoffs. And $6.24B in HR tech funding is on a collision course with lawsuits alleging algorithmic discrimination.

🔗 Connect with Johannes Sundlo:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/interjohannessundlo
Newsletter: fullstackhr.io

📚 Sources:
• HBR: 9 Trends Shaping Work in 2026
• LinkedIn Research: AI in Recruitment
• OpenAI Frontier Launch
• Fortune: OpenAI Frontier
• AI Hiring Tools Legal Reckoning
• 2026 Tech Hiring (Robert Half)
• FullStack HR...

LinkedIn's new research reveals AI-powered hiring is now standard practice across Asia-Pacific, with recruiters saving 4+ hours per role. But Gartner's sobering analysis shows only 1 in 50 AI investments deliver transformational value. We also cover the 163% surge in AI job postings, Belgium research on hidden bias in hiring algorithms, and Johannes Sundlo's provocative question: Would an AI be a better boss than yours?

Connect with Johannes Sundlo:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/interjohannessundlo/
📰 FullStack HR Newsletter: https://www.fullstackhr.io

Sources mentioned in this episode:

This week on AI & HR Morning Brief:

This episode is AI-generated and brought to you by Johannes Sundlo, Europe's leading voice on AI adoption for HR.

Links:

This week on AI & HR Morning Brief:

This episode is AI-generated and brought to you by Johannes Sundlo, Europe's leading voice on AI adoption for HR.

Links:

Major Workday AI discrimination lawsuit with March 7 deadline affects millions. Plus APAC recruiters embrace AI tools, Indian market flooded with AI-generated applications, and the ironic launch of Rent a Human where AI agents hire people. Created by Johannes Sundlo.

Today: 67% of workers worried about AI job loss, tech giants paying $400k for AI evangelists, RentAHuman lets AI hire humans, Eightfold AI lawsuit, and Upwork reports AI skills demand doubled. Created by Johannes Sundlo, one of the world's leading experts on AI and organizations.

Big shifts in AI governance and tech unfold this week. Here's what leaders need to know in under five minutes.- Europe doubles down on responsible AI with accountability, governance, and scalable solutions to stay competitive.- AI agents risk without oversight: 1.5M deployed, over half unmanaged; leaders must implement ongoing guardrails.- Vercel CEO AI impact on coding: automation shifts software development, prompting rethink of AI-resilient tech investments.- AI Today in 5 roundup highlights strategy, security, and a buy versus build debate amid regulatory volatility.- Economy and workforce: AI's macro effects on trade and leadership guide planning and...

Today’s AI headlines for leaders in under five minutes. Quick signals to shape strategy, not just tech.- Cisco AI Summit 2026 focuses on turning AI from experiment to scalable, secure business with governance.- Ethical governance and human collaboration discuss redefining culture and accountability across industries.- AI Finance Leadership Summit highlights shifts in workflows and proactive reskilling.- Policy, regulation, and talent signals from hearings and surveys underline strategy alignment.Sources:- Cisco AI Summit 2026: Where AI Decisions Begin Today - https://economictimes.com/ai/ai-insights/cisco-ai-summit-2026-where-the-worlds-ai-decisions-begin-today/articleshow/127876827.cms- AI Finance Leadership Summit 2026 Overview - https://www.an...

Rapid shifts in AI policy and leadership demand your attention in minutes. Here's what leaders should know today.- Regulatory flux: California Frontier AI Act and a DOJ AI Litigation Task Force create new compliance audits and governance needs.- Leadership moves: Pentagon CDAO Cameron Stanley; UK CAIO Kalbir Sohi signal board-level AI priority and need to upskill.- Trust and governance: Regulators' trust and EU Digital Competition Playbook push robust governance for AI agents and workforce integration.- AI autonomy and ethics: 76% of leaders prioritize AI agents; 81% in live pilots; governance-by-design is essential.Sources:- AI Legal Watch — January 2026: ht...

In just a few minutes, catch the AI headlines shaping leadership today. These stories highlight how AI touches customers, operations, and culture.- AI-driven customer service tools cut wait times but require a human touch to maintain trust.- AI-based analysis helps predict supply-chain disruptions, enabling proactive risk management.- AI is reshaping workplace culture; leaders should foster learning, flexibility, and adaptive teams.- New AI frameworks improve finance decision-making, from strategic insights to risk control.Sources:- AI CEOs break silence on ICE violence with cautious Trump praise — https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/ai-ceos-break-silence-on-ice-violence-with-cautious-trump-praise- Education in Motion launches group-wide AI...

AI governance is shifting from speed to stewardship, with boards demanding clear accountability. Leaders must embed responsible oversight into strategy.- Prioritize AI governance over speed, integrating behavior, ethics, and reliability into board decisions.- The World Economic Forum highlights 20 pioneering organizations scaling AI with measurable ROI across health, energy, and supply chains.- Davos discussions with Yuval Noah Harari stress balancing innovation with transparency and human-centric ethics.- AI-driven growth supports global trade and infrastructure; plan investments for resilience and competitiveness.Sources:- AI hits the boardroom: what directors will demand from CIOs in 2026 — https://www.cio.com/article/4113214/ai...

AI is reshaping leadership playbooks in real time. Here are three takeaways for busy leaders.- eDreams ODIGEO now runs end-to-end bookings and voice support with autonomous agentic AI; 30 percent of new code is AI-generated, boosting quality and productivity across 247 platforms.- Koenig Solutions hosts a live webinar on Copilot and Azure OpenAI, covering governance, ROI, and scaling, led by Akwinder Kaur.- Policy and maturity: White House focus on Great Divergence and Parloa's AI maturity framework guide responsible, ROI-driven AI deployment and talent development.Sources:- Morningstar: https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260122941528/edreams-odigeo-accelerates-ai-leadership-with-deployment-of-autonomous-agentic-capabilities-as-30-of-its-code-is-now-generated-by-ai- HBR: https://hbr.org/2026/01...

AI is reshaping the C-Suite in real time. Here's what leaders need to act on in under five minutes.- AI aligns with business goals: governance, ROI, and workforce strategy matter; align AI with long-term objectives.- Communicate and train: provide transparent AI education for teams; managers need practical training to navigate change.- Compliance is essential: stay ahead of evolving regulations to reduce risk and boost stakeholder trust.- Prepare for workforce shifts: jobs may become more hands-on; invest in upskilling and cross-industry skills.Sources:AI and the C-Suite: CEO strategy 2026 — https://www.conference-board.org/research/ced-policy-backgrounders/ai-and-the-c-suite-implications-for-ceo-strategy-in-2026Leadership co...

AI momentum is real in 2026, but leaders face uncertain returns and new risks. Here's a concise look at what matters this week.- Davos 2026: only 30% confidence in revenue growth; high AI spend with tariffs makes ROI reassessment essential.- Compliance shift: move from testing to enterprise adoption; prioritize secure use, risk mitigation, and ethics.- Healthcare win: Fujitsu and Genshukai recognized by WEF for hospital data integration, boosting efficiency.- Market and finance: potential AI bubble burst; focus on fundamentals and governance, with the Ten Percent Rule.Sources:- How executives are thinking about AI heading into 2026 https://hbr.org/2026/01...

Here's a concise shownotes draft about AI leadership and the need for timestamped sources. Details will flesh out once exact timestamps are provided.- You must provide articles with confirmed 24-hour release times to complete the script.- I can craft the full show once those specifics are supplied.- The core topic centers on leaders adopting AI in 2026, balancing investment with anxieties and governance.- The episode will draw on major analyses from the sources listed in Sources.Sources:- World Economic Forum: CEOs are all in on AI, but anxieties remain. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/ceos-are-all-in-on-ai-but-anxieties-remain...

AI has moved from buzz to boardroom reality in 2026. Leaders need a quick read on what matters now.- AI is becoming enterprise-wide; ROI gaps persist; boards push ROI, CEOs lag; prioritize governance, metrics, and workforce strategy.- Optimism grows post-ChatGPT with rising AI spending; accelerate value capture via strategic planning.- Boards seek CIOs to provide enterprise-wide AI governance, explainability, and ethics; governance central to strategy.- AI readiness ties to modernization and security; identity controls and API security essential.- Healthcare and education pilots show regulatory, safety, and talent needs; registries and grants boost productivity and future-ready workforce...

AI leadership reshuffles, governance pushes, and policy signals are reshaping executive playbooks in 2026.- Anthropic reorganizes leadership to accelerate experimentation in AI Labs; Mike Krieger moves to co-lead; rapid prototyping amid fierce competition; pursuing a potential $10B fundraising.- Boardroom governance becomes a top priority; CIOs must deliver narratives on behavior, economics, ethics, and reliability; governance to be unified across leadership.- Global CEOs plan to boost AI investments, with focus on predictive, generative, and agentic AI; reskilling and scalable infrastructure are essential.Sources:Anthropic reshuffles leadership to expand AI Labs unit — https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/anthropic-reshuffles-leadership-to-expand-ai-labs-unitAI hits the bo...

AI is reshaping security, governance, and care in 2026. Here are the must-know takeaways for executives.- Cybersecurity: AI driven risks and defenses; update incident response and upskill security teams.- Governance: possible federal-state fragmentation; monitor rules and adapt compliance and site strategy.- Healthcare: AI enabled care pathways; improved patient experience; reduce staff burnout; integrate safely.- Transformation framework: align AI initiatives with business outcomes; reduce pilots and guide investments.Sources:New Jersey AI life sciences innovation leadership — https://njbiz.com/new-jersey-ai-life-sciences-innovation-leadership/From AI breaches to rising geopolitical threats: Here's what to expect from cybersecurity in 2026 — https://www.euronews.com/next...

A quick snapshot of how AI governance is reshaping leadership in 2026.- Global AI governance shifts with Green AI and cross-border rules.- Public sector CIOs rate AI governance above cybersecurity; need accountability and risk checklists.- US policy: White House AI Action Plan with 90 actions; AI Litigation Task Force; preemption of state laws.- AI as governance in boards: governance frameworks mature; HR data governance becomes essential.Sources:- CMG announces top 10 AI trends for 2026 — https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-10/CMG-announces-top-10-AI-trends-for-2026-1JNtbpyumKQ/p.html- 10 tough AI questions for the 2026 public sector CIO — https://www.govtech.com...

AI leadership in 2026 hinges on governance, responsible adoption, and human-centered value. Here are the essentials for leaders in a few minutes.- Governance and investment: AI bubble deflation, factory infrastructure, rising chief AI officer roles, clear accountability and resource allocation.- Learning and leadership: upskilling in AI amid tight budgets; productivity gains; Gen Z leadership cap gap; balance AI programs with capability-building.- Sector-specific AI and collaborations: BCG and Hippocratic AI for regulated healthcare, shift in operating models and compliance.- Content and readiness: high-quality content drives AI effectiveness; align data, information, knowledge, and governance across the enterprise; prepare for...

AI is reshaping leadership agendas at CES 2026. These are the key moves impacting strategy, education, and the workforce.- AMD unveils Ryzen AI and a $150M education push for AI-ready workforce.- BCG highlights AI-first transformation with culture change and broad daily AI use.- Hyundai's AI Robotics Strategy with DeepMind to boost human AI collaboration.- Samsung emphasizes trust by design, privacy, and transparency for ethical AI with partners.- NVIDIA Rubin AI chips in production and Robotaxi progress signal scalable AI and cost shifts.Sources:AMD and partners share AI vision at CES 2026 — https://ir.amd.com/news-events/pr...

AI is reshaping leadership in minutes. Here is what leaders should know today.- AI-driven automation is creating more strategic roles by freeing staff from mundane tasks; invest in training to capitalize on the shift.- 75% of executives expect AI to influence decision making in five years; leverage AI insights to improve decisions, spot trends, and sharpen strategy.- An update to AI ethics guidelines underscores trust and compliance; leaders should embed ethical standards to avoid reputational risk.- AI is transforming HR and customer experience: faster hiring and more personalized interactions; consider how this can boost agility and loyalty...

Today’s AI quick take arrives with a pause, offering lessons for leadership.- Use this quiet period to sharpen AI strategy, workforce impact, and governance.- AI integration continues; readiness matters more than headlines.- Build resilience through adaptability, continuous learning, and proactive risk management.- Turn disruptions into opportunities for growth and innovation.Sources:- Ed Tech in Higher Ed: AI as a Pillar of Institutional Strategy — https://etcjournal.com/2026/01/01/ed-tech-in-higher-ed-three-issues-for-jan-2026-ai-as-a-pillar-of-institutional-strategy/- 2026 Tech Forecast: From AI Reckoning to Internet Resilience — https://techsabado.com/2026/01/02/2026-tech-forecast-from-ai-reckoning-to-internet-resilience/- AI 2026: Ambitious, Overhyped, Still Training — https://www.myjournalcourier.com/opinion/article/ai-2026-ambitio...

Today's AI snapshot for leaders: rapid takes on strategic moves shaping the workplace and operations.- Army creates AI officer career field and reclassification plan through 2026, modeling scalable AI talent pipelines.- Nationwide commits to 100 million annual AI investment through 2028, emphasizing claims, transcripts, and human-in-the-loop workflows.- SoftBank completes 22.5 billion investment in OpenAI, accelerating AI capability expansion under Vision Fund 2.- NIST launches AI Economic Security Center for U.S. Manufacturing to boost safety, efficiency, and resilience.Sources:- Army AI Officer Career Field and AOC Transfer — https://defensescoop.com/2025/12/30/army-artificial-intelligence-officer-career-field-aoc-transfer/- Nationwide 100M annual AI investment through 2028 — https://www.clai...

AI leaders, here’s your quick briefing in under five minutes. A sharp tour of the forces shaping AI strategy for leaders today.- Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2025 spotlights AI architects driving growth and geopolitics; talent and rapid adoption matter.- Greg Hart on the AI race: not just coding; prepare workforces; 74% of US CEOs prioritizing AI investments; focus on adoption and leadership mindsets.- Leadership evolves from authority to orchestration; AI handles routine tasks, so governance and ethical oversight are essential.- Nvidia's accelerated compute era, with Microsoft and Amazon, reshapes scaling, upskilling, and pricing for AI d...

Edge AI is changing how leaders act on the ground. Quick takeaways for today.- Edge AI like LiteRT expands on-device models, reducing cloud reliance and speeding decisions.- AI fluency in hiring and training is critical as tasks automate.- L&D is a strategic lever to boost retention and productivity amid AI uptake.- Be cautious with partnerships and deployments; due diligence prevents overhyped bets.Sources:- Crescendo AI: Latest AI News and Updates — https://www.crescendo.ai/news/latest-ai-news-and-updates- ETC Journal: Five Emerging AI Trends in Dec 2025 Democratizing where AI can run — https://etcjournal.com/2025/12/24/five-emerging-ai-trends-in-dec-2025-democratizing-where-ai-can-run/- Bu...

AI leadership in 2026 hinges on trust, practical training, and clear governance. In under five minutes, here are the moves leaders need now.- Readiness gap: Only about one-third of workers feel prepared for AI-driven change. Invest in practical training and demonstrate concrete AI wins to sustain trust.- Adoption approach: Avoid forcing use of AI tools. Frame AI as augmentation, backed by clear narratives, upskilling, and leadership by example.- Security and governance: Prepare for more autonomous AI with threat modeling, cross-functional oversight, and updated response plans to prevent disruption and legal risk.- Human-centric leadership: Define clear boundaries for...

AI is reshaping leadership in real time, turning strategy into action fast.- Governance and risk management are essential as AI scales, with privacy and security at core.- AI driven CX boosts efficiency and personalization, demanding team adaptation and operating model updates.- Healthcare and manufacturing investments grow, needing regulatory clarity and reskilling paths.- AI aided decision making complements human judgment, balancing speed with intuition.Sources:AI Stars of the Week - https://aijungle.substack.com/p/ai-stars-of-the-week-newsletter-december-1efBusiness Leaders weigh AI opportunities and risks - https://rbj.net/2025/12/22/business-leaders-weigh-opportunities-risks-ai/White House AI policy actions - https://www...

AI is at a tipping point as leadership shifts, spending booms, and new rules loom.- The spending machine for AI is accelerating and reshaping corporate strategy.- Regulatory tensions between federal and state actors threaten to redefine AI governance.- Investor red flags include leadership turmoil and talent attrition at AI-driven firms.- Practical AI guardrails and governance are becoming essential as applications scale.Sources:- Three AI stories in Dec 2025 AI litigation task force: https://etcjournal.com/2025/12/12/three-biggest-ai-stories-in-dec-2025-ai-litigation-task-force/- Meta AI leadership turmoil: dysfunction and attrition red flags: https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-ai-leadership-turmoil-organizational-dysfunction-talent-attrition-red-flags-investors-2512/- The unstoppable...

AI is moving from optional upgrade to the core of leadership. Here's what to take away this week.- Microsoft's Nadella makes AI the core of strategy, pushing flatter teams, faster decisions, and human-centered products.- The White House issues a federal AI regulation order with a new AI Litigation Task Force to harmonize rules and reduce state fragmentation.- Enterprise AI momentum: TCS BaNCS AI Compass upgrades banking workflows; Red Hat buys Chatterbox Labs to boost safety and trusted deployments; 2026 priorities focus on production-ready AI and open hybrid clouds.- OpenAI and Anthropic unveil an AI age prediction feature...

AI is reshaping operations, ethics, and customer experiences for leaders. Here are the top takeaways to act on today.- AI-driven automation is accelerating in logistics, cutting costs while requiring upskilling and careful change management.- A new AI ethics framework emphasizes transparency, accountability, audits, and ongoing human oversight to build trust.- AI-powered customer service frees agents to handle complex issues while training blends empathy with automation.- AI for healthcare shows higher diagnostic accuracy, underscoring data privacy and ethics to maintain patient trust.Sources:- Deloitte Enterprise AI Defense Report — https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/12/17/deloitte-enterprise-ai-defense-report/- Talbot West an...

Lead with AI: in a few minutes, here are the moves shaping enterprise AI for leaders. We'll cover funding, partnerships, and adoption steps.- PolyAI raises 86M Series D and aims to enable real-time, agentic enterprise with improved customer service and potential revenue lift.- Avnet and AMD showcase scalable AI in Australia to accelerate tech leadership, highlighting workforce upskilling and high-performance tools.- Gallup: 37% of organizations use AI; only 10% of employees use it daily; leaders should drive people-first adoption with training and manager support.- TIME's Architects of AI named 2025 Person of the Year, underscoring leadership and ethical deployment...

A unified federal AI playbook is taking shape. Leaders, here is what matters in minutes.- Federal executive order aims to unify state AI rules to ease compliance and speed deployment, especially for HR and workforce AI.- This alignment can lower regulatory costs and boost investment in AI infrastructure and reskilling.- Stakeholders warn about risks to consumer protections and potential legal challenges; careful bias mitigation and public trust needed.- Leaders should balance rapid deployment with risk management, ensuring governance, privacy, and ethics keep pace with automation.Sources:- YouTube briefing video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

AI is reshaping leadership fast. In just a few minutes, learn how executives are deploying generative AI to boost productivity.- More than 50% of senior data and tech executives now use generative AI to boost productivity, signaling data driven leadership.- Samsung KT AI RAN on 6G pilot shows networks becoming smarter and more resilient.- The Agentic AI Foundation under Linux Foundation aims for responsible AI and stronger human-AI collaboration.- Info-Tech 2025 shows AI is now embedded across enterprises, underscoring the need for literacy and infrastructure.Sources:Tech execs prioritize AI and productivity - https://www.emarketer.com/content...

AI is rewriting executive playbooks in real time. Here are the top takeaways from the last 24 hours shaping leadership decisions.- NTT DATA's 2026 Global AI Report finds only 15% are AI leaders. Those with mature models embed AI in core strategy and governance, creating a reinvestment flywheel for transformation.- David J. Goecke's briefing highlights blending AI with quantum tech, stressing ethical balance and strategic foresight for leaders navigating rapid tech shifts.- CFO.io notes AI infrastructure lifts productivity in Fortune Global 500 firms, driving profits per employee and prompting a shift to AI-enabled workforce planning.- OpenAI's enterprise AI trends...