Future of Work - A Workday Podcast

Is your organization actually getting value from AI, or are you just measuring logins? In this episode, Workday Ventures leaders sit down with the founders of AI-first companies Laurel and Uplimit to pull back the curtain on enterprise AI. We move beyond the hype to discuss why "adoption" is a vanity metric and how to identify the "aha moments" that turn skeptical employees into power users.

For decades, we’ve used technology to help us check boxes faster. But what happens when the boxes start checking themselves? In this episode, Workday leaders Peter Bailis, Jerry Ting, and Clare Hickie explore the leap from generative AI to agentic AI, a shift that moves us beyond the "blinking cursor" and into a world of autonomous digital labor.

Workday's Liz Jennings is joined by Kunal Sethi, vice president of HR Digital Strategy at Medtronic, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of human resources. From early wins across more than 200 AI use cases to building a unified HR strategy, this conversation highlights how Medtronic is turning AI into a catalyst for both efficiency and human impact.

Workday’s Chris Ernst and Carrie Varoquiers discuss the impact of AI on the workplace and their search for solutions to a “crisis of loneliness and disconnection.”

Legal doesn’t have to be the “department of no.” Aine Lyons, senior vice president and deputy general counsel at Workday, and Vanessa Candela, chief legal and trust officer at Celonis, explore how trust-first frameworks help AI move faster and more responsibly.

Workday’s Kathy Pham sits down with former IBM CHRO Diane Gherson to explore how AI can elevate human work. Together, they unpack the skills, workflows, and leadership models needed to make work more meaningful in the AI era.

Workday CIO Rani Johnson and AI Advisory Board Chair Toby Stuart unpack what it really takes for CIOs to lead through the accelerating AI era. From redefining roles to rethinking ROI, they explore how to build a confident, future-ready organization.

Censia CEO Joanna Riley joins Workday CMO Emma Chalwin to discuss how leaders can navigate AI-driven change with courage, transparency, and a vulnerable mindset. Hear how embracing experimentation and elevating “soul work” can transform teams and spark innovation.

James Kinney, Global Chief People Officer at Media.Monks, and Jessie Heath, Director of Global Talent, La-Z-Boy, to discuss how to build a truly human-centered strategy. They reveal the surprising ROI of care, moving past buzzwords to show how prioritizing "belonging" and engagement is the only way to convince leadership and drive the bottom line.

Workday’s Phil Willburn and HRManifesto’s Leigh Henderson reveal why internal mobility has stalled and how to solve the growing AI trust gap. Learn the strategic pivots needed to win back your best talent and redefine career growth by focusing on impact.

Workday’s Kathy Pham and Salesforce’s Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer and EVP of Product, Paula Goldman, discuss moving from theoretical discussions to practical frameworks for ethical technology and a human-centered future of work. They explore Paula’s unique journey and how ethical leadership can build a movement for responsible AI.

Google Cloud's VP and GM, Rao Surapaneni, joins Workday’s Kathy Pham to discuss the future of enterprise AI, agents, and what it all means for technology leaders.

The way we work is about to change forever. Workday’s Chief Communications Officer Gina Sheibley sat down with Sana CEO and founder Joel Hellermark following the announcement of Workday’s definitive agreement to acquire his company. Joel shares his bold vision for agentic AI and explains how this new partnership will transform the Workday experience, making AI the new front door to work for millions of users.