Session
We're Investing in AI. What's the Workforce Plan?
Finance expects more output without matching headcount growth. What should HR and people analytics actually recommend?
PAWorld26 NYC · 4–5 November 2026 · New York City
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– · Plenary
About this session
Finance expects AI investment to change next year's workforce plan, but a faster task does not automatically mean spare workforce capacity. In this opening fireside, Dawn Klinghoffer, Alexis Fink and David Green test a fictional hiring-freeze request, challenge the evidence and work-design assumptions, and build a practical recommendation that HR and workforce leaders can take back to the business.
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish a task improvement from capacity that can change a workforce plan.
- Identify evidence needed before recommending a hiring restriction.
- Frame a conditional recommendation for HR, Finance and business leaders.
This session will explore
- Use a fictional hiring-freeze request to make the workforce decision explicit.
- Challenge the evidence connecting faster tasks, redesigned work and usable capacity.
- Develop a practical recommendation and the assumptions it depends on.
Context
Finance may expect AI investment to deliver more output without equivalent headcount growth. Task-level speed gains alone do not show that deployable workforce capacity has been released or that a hiring freeze is justified.
Speakers and contributors
Alexis FinkPanellistFounderPropeller Insight
David GreenPanellistManaging Partner & Executive DirectorInsight222
Dawn KlinghofferPanellistVice President, HR Business Insights (Former, Microsoft)Insight222%20500.jpg)
Michael MoonFacilitatorDirector, People IntelligenceAbbVie