Workforce Planning: Preparing For AI

AI isn't coming for jobs—it's coming for tasks. How are you preparing? In this episode I talk with Ross Sparkman, Senior Director of Workforce Strategy at Walmart and author of "Strategic Workforce Planning," about the real impact AI will have on the workplace. While headlines scream about massive job losses, Ross reveals what's actually happening: most CEOs are planning to use AI to free up 20-30% of workers' time from mundane tasks so they can focus on higher-value work only humans can do. But that's only if you're prepared. We dive into: What percentage of current jobs AI can actually automate today (hint: it's less than the headlines suggest) Why HR needs to lead the charge in job redesign and task analysis How AI will raise the bar for entry-level workers and what that means for career development Practical steps HR teams can take NOW to avoid future workforce crises If you're in HR and wondering how to prepare your organization (and your own career) for AI transformation, this conversation provides the strategic roadmap you need. Ross brings insights from his experience at Walmart, Meta, and Nike, showing HR professionals how to develop a Gen AI talent strategy that positions your organization ahead of the curve. 00:00 Introduction and background on Ross Sparkman 01:27 How much of today's work can AI actually replace? 03:06 What CEOs really think about AI and job elimination 04:52 HR's critical role in organizational AI adaptation 08:49 Using AI to redesign jobs and job descriptions 12:54 Impact on entry-level workers and career development 15:51 Developing a Gen AI talent strategy at Walmart 18:36 Avoiding future workforce crises through planning 20:57 Resources and information about Ross's book Find Ross' new book on Amazon! Or new edition anyhow: Strategic Workforce Planning: Developing optimized talent strategies for future growth You can find Ross on LinkedIn / ross-sparkman You can find me https://thehrhub.ca/ or on Linkedin / andrea-adams1