Acorn by Synergie and Darwin Gray bring HR professionals together to explore AI Innovation and the future of the workplace
HR professionals gathered at Cardiff’s Open University on October 1 for the fourth Wales HR Network panel event this year, hosted by leading recruitment company Acorn by Synergie and commercial law firm Darwin Gray.
With the highest Wales HR Network attendance this year, the event was delivered in partnership with Beam Training & Development and supported by FinTech Wales.
Titled The New HR Agenda: AI Innovation, Wellbeing and Workplace Rights, the event brought together HR leaders and professionals to discuss how rapid developments in artificial intelligence, employment law and workplace culture are changing the role of HR.
The panel featured Employment Law Partner at Darwin Gray Owen John, Founder and Director of Vantor Advisory Simon Drinkwater, Founder and CEO of Holidity Dr Julia Jones, and Founder and Director of VisVira Andrea Jones.
Among the key topics discussed were how AI is being used across workforce planning and employee experience, as well as how organisations can adopt the technology responsibly whilst protecting employee wellbeing and meeting their legal obligations.
Hosted by Lianne Weaver of Beam Training & Development, the discussion also included considerations around the pressures facing today's workforce and the importance of creating workplace cultures that support people effectively.
Employment law was another central theme, with discussion around AI when it comes to communication, both internally and externally and the impact on legal disputes. The panel also explored the difference between AI adoption and organisational absorption and accountability for the impact on employees.
Danielle Haynes, Head of Marketing at Acorn by Synergie, said: “It was fantastic to bring together HR professionals and such a knowledgeable panel to explore some of the biggest issues currently shaping the workplace.
“AI, wellbeing and employment law are all moving quickly, and events like this give people the opportunity to step back, share experiences and consider what these changes mean in practice. We’re proud to continue creating opportunities for the Welsh HR community to connect, learn from one another and have meaningful conversations about the future of work.”
Owen John, Partner at Darwin Gray, said: “The pace of change facing HR professionals means there is a real value in bringing people together to share knowledge and experience.
“The conversation around AI in particular highlighted both the opportunities for organisations and the importance of using technology responsibly, with proper consideration of employee rights and wellbeing. It was great to see such an engaged audience contributing questions and perspectives to the discussion.”
The Wales HR Network will return in 2027 with more events designed to bring the Welsh HR community together to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges and explore the issues shaping the future of work. You can join the network for free to receive updates: https://www.waleshrnetwork.cymru/join-us
