Key Takeaways of HR Unplugged Breakfast in Dubai
April 16th, 2025
Pedersen & Partners, in collaboration with HA Partners, hosted a breakfast session in Dubai with senior HR leaders to explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the future of work and the evolving strategic role of HR.
"Thinking Like an AI Native" was expertly presented by keynote speaker Hari Abburi.
His talk focused on how organisations need to rethink strategy, leadership, enable transformation and talent by adopting the mindset and agility of AI-native companies—those built with speed, adaptability, and continuous learning at their core.
Andrea Williams, Client Partner, Country Manager for the United Arab Emirates, and Head of the Consumer & Retail Practice - Middle East & Africa at Pedersen & Partners, and Harpreet Arora, Managing Partner at HA Partners, brought together a focused group of senior HR leaders to discuss their thoughts on this emergent need for the organisations.
With contributions from Sevda Esenturk, Pinaki Ganguly, Shayma Ibrahim, Ranjit Jose, Duaa Khattab, Ashutosh Labroo, Nina Panesar, Claire Palmer, Hema Pande, Krishna Prasad, David Thomas, Nisha Verma, representing key industries across the region, the session explored how HR can actively contribute to AI-driven business transformation through strategy, talent, and innovation.
Here are some of the key themes and insights discussed during the session:
Three Interconnected Distinct Stages of Transformation
Organisations are undergoing multiple forms of technology transformation starting from building efficiencies and productivity through digital transformation to platform, demand/supply aggregation, adding value to the ecosystem and finally enhancing value to customers by creating cognitive and context models based on AI transformations.
Two Strategic Questions for HR
• What does digital transformation mean in the age of AI?
• What is the key purpose of AI for your workforce – beyond automation?
Role of the HR function in using AI as Both a Tool and a Strategy
HR will play a critical role in driving transformation through building talent capability, supporting experimentation in AI, and enabling strategic thinking of leadership to look at value creation through AI for key business outcomes.
HR is no longer just running operations – it will be a critical contributor to this organisational transformation, especially in how businesses plan, build, and lead in the AI era.
Leadership-led transformation
AI success depends on clear direction and visible support from senior leadership, supported by HR-led change management programs.
Pedersen & Partners and HA Partners thank all who participated in the conversation. We look forward to continuing the dialogue on how HR can lead through innovation and transformation.