In the opening keynote session, CIPD Chief Executive Peter Cheese reflected on the impact of economic pressures and artificial intelligence (AI) on the profession. He also emphasised the need for people professionals to be adaptable and continuously develop and assess their skills to stay relevant. Miriam Stephens, Head of Organisation Assessment and CPD at the CIPD, covered how HR professionals can use the CIPD Profession Map to regularly assess their skills and develop a clear path to success.
There were also several panel discussions, including one that focused on ‘Securing your first role in HR’. The energetic conversation featured insights from industry experts on job search strategies, standing out in interviews and the value of networking. In another session, a panel of experts explored the profession's growth over the past decade and discussed current challenges and future opportunities, including how the profession might evolve in the coming years.
To close the conference, Dr. Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer at WPP, gave a thought-provoking talk on AI’s evolving role in business and society. Attendees came away with a framework for understanding AI and an awareness of the challenges and opportunities it presents to unlock creativity within organisations.