Solving Tomorrow's Problems : Lessons From HR Tech 2017

"Choose the Future" was the theme of the 20th annual HR Technology Conference held in Las Vegas last week. Innovators from across the HR world and beyond came together for four jam packed days to learn, collaborate, problem solve and have a little fun while reimagining HR and solving tomorrow's most press workforce problems with the help of technology.

This year's sessions covered a spectrum of topics, including AI, chatbots, SaaS, The Cloud, social, mobile, analytics, video, gamification and more.

Here were some of our favorite moments and most interesting themes coming out of the conference. To read more, check out #HRtechconf on Twitter!

Cultivating an Employee Experience

Adam Rogers, chief technology officer at Ultimate, and Jason Dorsey, president and co-founder of The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), reminded us that employee engagement is an outcome that comes from a well-designed employee experience.

Qotd: "#EmployeeExperience is the journey. EmployeeEngagement is the outcome. " - so crystal clear #HRTechConf @UltimateHCM #HrTech pic.twitter.com/0N0Wav2KxZ

— Lam, Mun Choong (@munchlam) October 11, 2017

Laszlo Bock: "Intrinsic motivators drive far higher productivity and innovation than extrinsic monetary rewards." #HRTechConf

— Andrew R. McIlvaine (@amcilvaine) October 11, 2017

Meaningful work is critical to worker happiness, study says | HR Dive https://t.co/S85rKv6G3E#EmployeeExperience #HRTECH

— Corey Hubbard (@coreylhubbard) October 10, 2017

Artificial Intelligence and HR

AI was a central theme at this year's conference with at least 50 different vendors touching on it in their presentations. Using technology like AI, Machine Learning and predictive analytics can enhance employee engagement, streamline recruiting and improve strategies.

HR and IT need to partner to make the business case for #AI technology in your organization to get started. #HRTechConf

— Mary Kaylor (@SHRMKaylor) October 12, 2017

AI will use patterns of employee interaction, company-wide comms & events to automate coaching and interventions. Wow! #HRTechConf #AIandHR pic.twitter.com/9YqSQeVbwU

— Beth Baerman (@bbaerman) October 12, 2017

@mmooritz: AI as a tool to optimize what humans can do#HRTechConf #AIandHR @holgermu

— Opal (@OpalW) October 12, 2017

Diversity and Inclusion

It's well known that diversity of all kinds—thought, experience, age, gender, ethnicity—improves decision-making and even a businesses bottom line. But hiring diverse people is not enough. In order for diversity to thrive, you must cultivate an inclusive environment that fulfills the needs of a diverse workforce.

Diversity is something you can measure, but Diversity plus Inclusion is what is needed for change. Pat Milligan #HRTechConf pic.twitter.com/xujNOWbmp1

— Heather Bussing (@heatherbussing) October 12, 2017

You need to start with inclusion then you can get to hiring -@RitaMitjans #HRTechConf

— Charna Parkey (@CharnaParkey) October 12, 2017

Balancing Technology and Humanity

As technology's role in HR grows every year, this year's conference speakers emphasized the importance of putting culture and people first. When you use technology to gain human insight, you can achieve incredible progress.

Culture is the most important thing you have to get right. @LaszloBock2718 #HRTechConf

— James Hooks (@hxphd) October 11, 2017

"Benchmarks only teach you how to be as good as industry leaders, not better." - @LaszloBock2718 #HRTechConf

— PurelyHR (@PurelyHRSoft) October 12, 2017

We hope to see you at next year's HR Tech Conf!

Photo: Creative Commons