How can People leaders be your best GenAI co-pilots, not just passengers?

GenAI seems to pop up in almost every conversation I have with founders and execs, and the reactions couldn’t be more different:
A CPO: “GenAI is just another talent capability we need to embed in our strategy.”
A COO: “So… do you have AI assistants yet?”
A CMO: “Honestly? I’m nervous about what this means for my team, and for me.”
And the boldest (and my secret favourite) came from a Fractional Product Leader: “I don’t see many Chief People Officers leaning in on AI strategy.”

Ouch. This one stung. 😬

The data isn’t much kinder: according to Gartner, only 7% of CEOs think People leaders are “AI-savvy.” Meanwhile, 77% say AI is reshaping business, and 84% are increasing investments (Fortune, 2025).

So let’s call it what it is: a wake-up call, and an opportunity.
We get to lead one of the most exciting transformations of our time, helping businesses not just adapt to GenAI, but thrive with it. For People teams, it’s a chance to offload the transactional and refocus on what matters most.

Most (People) leaders I speak to are still figuring out what this looks like in practice, and how to guide their teams and stakeholders on the spectrum from AI-first to AI-enabled without a magic crystal ball up their sleeves.

I’m on my own GenAI upskilling journey so I can help clients reimagine leadership, people strategy, and culture in the GenAI era to enable ROI, drive business results, and develop GenAI-savvy leaders.

This month, I’m holding confidential 1:1 GenAI + People leadership chats and would love to hear your perspective. Let’s swap some blue-sky ideas and explore how People leaders can add the most GenAI value. DM me- I promise it won’t feel like another AI buzzword chat.  😉