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Podcast: The HR Jobs AI Can’t Replace (What HR Tech 2026 Got Right) | The Inspire Podcast (Nov 2, 2026)

The Inspire Podcast — Practical Leadership for People Who Run Companies

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AI for HR leaders, from the floor of HR Tech 2026: what’s actually changing, the jobs AI can’t replace, and what to do about it before 2027.

In this episode of The Inspire Podcast Executive Series, Jason Diamond Arnold, Director of Leadership Solutions at Inspire Software, talks with Chris Wollerman, CEO and Co-Founder of Inspire Software, about what he heard at the HR Technology Conference (HR Tech 2026, October 20 to 22 in Las Vegas). Chris attended four keynotes and seven breakout sessions, and his biggest takeaway is that HR Tech has become a business transformation conference, not only an HR one.

Key Takeaways

  1. AI was everywhere, and the jobs it can’t replace mattered even more. The most optimistic sessions focused on using AI for tedious work so people could spend their time on what only people can do.
  2. Recruiting is an early example. Chris describes a keynote where AI handled most of the screening work, so recruiters could spend their time building relationships with strong candidates.
  3. The fear is real. Many HR leaders worry AI will be used mainly to cut headcount. Chris sees the organizations that get it right using AI to grow, improve quality, and serve customers better.
  4. MCP (Model Context Protocol) is quickly becoming an expectation. It lets you work with your business systems by asking in plain English through Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot.
  5. You still need a core system. Chris explains why strategy execution and OKRs are hard to vibe code, even as fewer people log into the software directly.
  6. Don’t be a laggard. Leaders who learn and get hands-on with AI now will be better positioned as work changes over the next few years.

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS

Is HR Tech only for HR professionals?
No. Chris found it just as relevant for CEOs, COOs, and founders because most of the conversation was about business transformation, and HR sits on the front line of rolling out AI to employees.

Will AI replace HR jobs?
The keynotes Chris attended were optimistic, though he heard real concern from HR leaders. His view: AI can take over much of the busywork, while relationship-building, coaching, and culture are the jobs AI can’t replace.

What is MCP (Model Context Protocol), and why should business leaders care?
MCP lets AI assistants connect to your business systems, so you can read data or update goals in plain English instead of learning a complex interface.

Do you still need an OKR platform if you use Claude or ChatGPT?
Chris says yes. A core system provides strategy, alignment, check-ins, and structure for one-on-ones, and your AI assistant becomes the gateway to that data.

How can leaders use AI to get more out of a conference?
Use AI to research sessions and speakers before you go, transcribe sessions as you attend, then turn the transcripts and slide photos into summaries you can share with your team.

WHO THIS VIDEO IS FOR

CEOs, founders, executive teams, and HR leaders at small and mid-sized companies who want culture, strategy, and leadership development to work together, plus anyone curious about the people and ideas behind Inspire.

CHAPTERS

ABOUT INSPIRE SOFTWARE

Inspire is the platform that unifies strategy to the OKRs, performance, recognition, leadership development, planning, and task management that carry it out, in one platform, with coaching from the Inspire team.

INSPIRE YOUR COMPANY!

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Watch the How-To: Plan your 2027 HR strategy with AI: https://youtu.be/7J1igMEtKds?si=Hnkv3LDP6QgjC0v3

Read the companion article: [Coming Soon!]

What leaders say on G2: https://www.g2.com/products/inspire-software-inspire/reviews

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Featured Co-host: Chris Wollerman — CEO and Co-Founder, Inspire Software. Chris has spent his career helping organizations connect strategy, goals, performance, and leadership into a single execution system. About Inspire Software Inspire helps companies align strategy with performance to drive effective execution and employee engagement through meaningful, measurable results. The platform connects strategy, OKRs, continuous performance management, leadership development, and recognition to turn intent into action.

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