In our fourth episode of HR GameChangers, top HR leaders from prominent organizations gathered to discuss the future of the digital workplace and the transformative trends shaping employee experiences in 2025. 

Our panelists shared insights on AI, employee engagement, and the future of work. 

For more HR technology insights, check out our previous episodes: 

• Episode 1: The New Era of Engagement
• Episode 2: Building a Thriving Culture
• Episode 3: Measuring Employee Engagement

And if you’re not registered for the series, you can register here.

Watch the full conversation from episode 4 below, or keep reading for a quick recap of the highlights.

Digital Workplace 2025: Quick Recap

Here’s an introduction to our incredible panel for this episode:

• Priti Patel, Chief People Officer, G2
• Susan Elaggan-Jackson, Head of Global People Operations, Pegasystems
• Anthony Onesto, Chief People Officer, Suzy

Moderating this session was Janelle Henry, Head of People at RadAI and GoProfiles customer. 

The Evolution of Digital Employee Experience

The discussion began with an exploration of how digital employee experiences are rapidly evolving. Priti Patel highlighted G2’s approach to managing a hybrid workforce where 40% of employees work remotely. She emphasized the importance of authentic and transparent communication, particularly during organizational transformation. 

G2 has developed a structured communication framework that clearly defines where and how information should be shared across various platforms, from Slack channels to internal wikis.

Susan Elaggan-Jackson shared Pegasystems’ experience in balancing automation with human interaction, introducing innovative solutions like the “people buddy” AI chatbot while maintaining meaningful personal connections. This hybrid approach has helped reduce employee inquiries by 15% while ensuring staff still receive personalized support when needed.

“It’s fascinating how much more access I would say the average employee has now in this much more digital age to how leaders are making decisions with the progress of the company.”

—Janelle Henry, Head of People @ RadAI

Improved Transparency in the Digital Workplace

Our HR GameChangers discussed how team communication and transparency have become essential for success and cohesion in the modern digital workplace, particularly with remote and hybrid models. Real-time collaboration tools enable teams to communicate instantly and keep all members informed, regardless of location, which promotes inclusivity and clarity in workflows.

They go on to say transparency is also enhanced, as tools like shared dashboards, task tracking, and project management platforms give everyone access to key updates and progress, reducing silos. This shift fosters a culture of openness, accountability, and quicker decision-making, adapting to the needs of a distributed workforce.

Priti and Janelle share their thoughts on how modern tools have made it easier for executives and team to communicate and it provides more transparency which has ultimately led to a more engaged and informed workforce.

AI and Automation Transforming HR Processes

A significant portion of the discussion centered on how AI and automation are revolutionizing HR operations. Priti Patel shared four key areas where G2 has seen dramatic improvements:

• Employee survey analysis: What once took two weeks now takes hours
• Talent acquisition and sourcing: Reduced candidate screening time from days to hours
• Compensation management: Streamlined merit cycles with automated tools
• Internal knowledge management: AI-powered employee query resolution

Maintaining Employee Engagement in Remote and Hybrid Settings

The panelists shared strategies for fostering engagement in distributed workforces. Janelle Henry described RadAI’s approach of leveraging weekly town halls that combine information sharing with elements of fun and humor. 

Susan Elaggan-Jackson emphasized Pegasystems’ focus on global collaboration through initiatives like coffee chats, scavenger hunts, and quarterly connection days.

“At our global organization, fostering connections across regions is a priority. We invest in global collaboration through activities like coffee chats, team scavenger hunts, and regular engagement events to eliminate communication silos.”

—Susan Elaggan-Jackson, Head of Global People Operations @ Pegasysyems

Strategies for Maintaining Employee Engagement

Susan and the rest of the HR GameChangers discussed how maintaining employee engagement is essential for building a motivated, productive, and loyal workforce, especially in today’s evolving work environments. As companies navigate remote and hybrid models, they must adopt proactive strategies that foster connection, recognition, and a sense of purpose among employees.

They continue to discuss how businesses can drive engagement by understanding and addressing the diverse needs of their teams, from creating opportunities for professional growth to ensuring alignment with organizational values. Effective engagement strategies improve morale and contribute to long-term organizational success and resilience.

Value-Based Engagement Strategies

Priti Patel highlighted the importance of values-based engagement, sharing how G2’s PEAK values (Performance, Entrepreneurship, Authenticity, and Kindness) guide their employee engagement initiatives, including their successful employee resource groups program, which has grown from 2 to 11 groups since the pandemic.

Building on G2’s PEAK values, Patel emphasized how these principles do more than set standards—they actively shape a sense of belonging and purpose across the organization. Employees felt more represented and connected to the company’s culture, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives and voices could thrive.

This values-driven approach ensures that each team member not only understands G2’s mission but feels genuinely supported in aligning their work with these core values, creating a more cohesive and empowered workplace.

Future Technologies and Their Impact

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Anthony Onesto emphasized the transformative potential of AI-powered chat interfaces to revolutionize how employees interact with HR systems. He envisions a future where complex processes like PTO requests or employee referrals are simplified through conversational AI interfaces.

“Autonomous agents will start transcending HR from transitional and transactional work to strategic work.”

—Anthony Onesto, Chief People Officer @ Suzy

Priti Patel highlighted exciting developments in AI-powered learning and development, including AI-based sales training and interview preparation. She also discussed the potential of predictive analytics in identifying rising stars and flight risks through comprehensive data analysis.

Key Takeaways

• The future of workplace communication requires a balance between digital efficiency and human connection
• AI and automation are dramatically reducing time spent on administrative tasks, allowing HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives
• Successful employee engagement in hybrid settings requires intentional strategy and multiple touchpoints
• Values-based organizational approaches provide a framework for consistent decision-making and communication
• Data visualization and predictive analytics will play increasingly important roles in workforce planning and employee experience management
• The future of HR technology will focus on seamless, conversational interfaces that simplify employee interactions
• HR leaders must maintain a people-first mindset while prioritizing business objectives

Balancing Technology and Human Connection

The future of the digital workplace is not just about implementing new technologies, but about creating thoughtful, human-centered experiences that leverage these tools effectively. 

As organizations prepare for 2025 and beyond, success will depend on their ability to balance technological innovation with human connection. The most successful organizations will be those that can harness new technologies to enhance, rather than replace, human interactions, creating more efficient and engaging workplace experiences for all employees.

How GoProfiles Drives Employee Connection

As discussed in the webinar, tools like GoProfiles are transforming the digital workplace. Using AI to drive employee engagement and meaningful connection, GoProfiles fosters stronger work relationships and more inclusive workplaces. 

Try GoProfiles for free to see how it can benefit your organization. 

Join the conversation: Register for Episode 5

Don’t miss our next webinar, Enhancing Engagement: Strategies for a Better Digital Experience on December 12 at 11 AM PST. 

We’ll discuss how to foster a culture of collaboration through communication platforms, personalizing digital tools to align with individual employee needs.

Register now to stay ahead of the game in 2024 and beyond!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key trends shaping the digital workplace for 2025?

The key trends include streamlining tools and workflows, enhancing personalization across HR programs, integrating AI into workplace processes, and improving digital communication methods. Companies are focusing on creating enhanced employee experiences through AI-powered learning platforms, feedback mechanisms, and talent cultivation processes. There’s also an emphasis on maintaining effective communication in hybrid and remote work environments.

2. How is AI transforming HR processes?

AI is significantly impacting HR processes in several ways:

• Processing employee survey data and comments in hours instead of weeks
• Streamlining talent acquisition by efficiently reviewing hundreds of applications
• Automating compensation planning and merit cycles
• Powering chatbots for employee inquiries, reducing HR ticket volume by up to 15%
• Enhancing learning and development through AI-powered training simulations

3. How can organizations maintain employee engagement in hybrid/remote work environments?

Organizations can maintain engagement through regular town halls, weekly collaboration meetings, and structured connection activities. Key strategies include implementing “connection days” for quarterly in-person gatherings, encouraging camera-on culture during virtual meetings, organizing virtual coffee chats and team building activities, and creating employee resource groups (ERGs) to foster community. It’s also important to allow time for informal conversations during meetings to replicate water cooler interactions.

4. What best practices should companies follow for digital workplace communication?

Companies should establish clear communication channels and protocols, including:

• Defining specific platforms for different types of communications (Slack, email, Wiki, etc.)
• Maintaining consistency in communication format and timing
• Being transparent about organizational changes and expectations
• Providing clear guidelines during employee onboarding about communication channels
• Balancing automated communications with human interaction when needed

5. What emerging technologies will have the biggest impact on HR in 2025 and beyond?

The most impactful emerging technologies include AI-powered chat interfaces for HR processes, advanced data visualization tools for workforce planning, and autonomous recruiting systems. Additionally, AI-driven learning and development platforms will enable personalized training experiences, while predictive analytics will help identify talent risks and opportunities. These technologies will help HR transition from transactional work to more strategic initiatives.

6. How can organizations effectively balance AI automation with human interaction in HR?

Organizations should implement a balanced approach by:

• Using AI for routine tasks and data processing while reserving human interaction for complex issues
• Maintaining a “people first” approach while leveraging technology
• Implementing AI chatbots for basic inquiries while ensuring easy escalation to human support when needed
• Using automation to enhance rather than replace human connection
• Focusing on strategic human interaction where it adds the most value