New Year Prediction for HR and Learning and Development

Paul Michael Gledhill shares his thoughts on HR in 2025

I was recently asked for my 2025 predictions for L&D and HR in our region. For me, it’s impossible to predict 2025 without first reflecting on 2024. Obviously 2024 was all about AI and the affordances it brings. As a speaker addressing many professionals I saw a massive shift in perception and understanding as the year went on. From total fear and denial like burying heads in the sand, to intrigue and inspection, adopting some basic tools. To this I see our community mind-sets taking further shifts in 2025, exploring utilising enquiring & demanding more from AI.

I predict by the end of 2025 we will not be speaking about AI like we were because it will become ubiquitous, just like we don’t speak about going to or using the Internet for something anymore. Software for HR and Learning will be expected to have AI and machine learning built in. I also predict that some Educational institutes will start to advertise themselves as not using AI to bring more of a human touch and interaction in to their classrooms which is quite the opposite of how they are promoting AI today.

Outside of technology I don’t see HR letting up on the depth and breadth of knowledge required for performance. The HR generalists and specialists will be leaned on more to facilitate wider scopes for project initiatives and will need to be lean and nimble as even more is expected. Don’t worry the C suite will say, you have AI to help now.

So if AI will not be the topic of all discussions in 2025 what will? I hear you ask. Well, fortunately or unfortunately Technology will still be front and centre so get ready for increasing your knowledge of Quantum Computing and add that understanding to your already enormous TO-DO list.

I wish you all a great year ahead and although the realm of HR & Learning is growing exponentially the opportunity to adopt a growth mind-set and learn is truly exciting and inspiring

Have fun in 2025