HR Tech 2025 Recap: UKG Talks Trust, AI, Smart Investment, and Real-Time Impact

When thousands of HR leaders and enthusiasts gather in one place, the energy is contagious! The conversations at this year’s HR Tech Conference in Las Vegas were bold, the ideas were forward-thinking, and the message was clear: the future of HR and HR technology is already here, and it’s not slowing down. 

Here are a few moments and messages that stood out to me during my time at the conference. 

Trust is the launchpad for the future 

UKG was a proud sponsor of the Women in Tech forum that opened the conference. Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Hodges delivered a powerful reminder that future-ready organizations are built on trust. 

She explored how technology plays a critical role in how we work, but no tool in the world can succeed if employees don’t believe in their leaders or if they don’t feel respected, seen, and safe. Trust is what creates the conditions for readiness. Humans build that foundation, not technology alone. 

Sarah connected the dots between culture and capability. High-trust organizations adapt more quickly, bounce back from challenges, and create space for people to thrive. When people thrive, the business succeeds. That’s the kind of readiness every organization should be chasing. 

Closing the AI gap in HR 

I had the privilege of joining three incredible HR technology leaders for the closing keynote at the Women in Tech forum. Together, we explored where HR stands with AI today, where the field needs to go, and how women can lead the way forward. The panel, Hurry Up, Catch Up: Women in HR Getting Ahead of the AI Game, had an inspiring conversation about the future of work and the power of women driving AI innovation. 

HR teams are experimenting with AI in areas such as scheduling, screening, and candidate outreach, but adoption beyond these uses is still limited. While organizations don’t need to chase every complex use case, they do need to focus on how AI can help their employees in practical ways. AI should help people do their jobs better, not replace them. 

AI literacy is also essential. Organizations must understand the tools, test them responsibly, and make sure they align with culture and values. HR can’t afford to stand on the sidelines. The future of work will be shaped by AI, and it must work alongside people seamlessly and intentionally. 

I presented a case study in the expo hall with Miriam Connaughton, CHRO of Simpplr, a UKG partner. In our session titled, From HR Systems of Record to Systems of Action: How UKG and Simpplr are Building a More Connected and Productive User Experience, we highlighted how organizations can move beyond static systems of record and create dynamic systems of action that actively support people in their day-to-day work. By connecting UKG’s platform with Simpplr’s employee experience tools, we showed how technology can break down silos, streamline workflows, and ultimately make work more connected, intuitive, and productive for everyone. 

Smarter tech investment: A roadmap 

One of the most practical sessions was led by Corey Spencer, VP of Platform and AI at UKG; Radhi Chagarlamudi, GVP of Engineering at UKG; and Diana Valler, CHRO of Travel Brands. Their message was simple and powerful: Investing in HR technology isn’t about chasing trends, it’s about laying the right foundation. 

They offered three clear steps: 

1. Start with data. What do you already know about your people and your work? Let that guide your investments.
2. Choose platforms that connect. Disconnected solutions create friction and limit insights, which is why integration matters.
3. Focus on outcomes, not outputs. Technology should engage, support, and connect people, not just produce dashboards. 

The speakers’ advice cut through the noise and brought clarity to how HR leaders can prioritize technology decisions. Without a strong foundation, even the best technology will fall flat. 

Seeing it all in action 

In the HR Tech Expo Hall, UKG held a demo session of our award-winning technology —  the proof point that tied it all together. It wasn’t just a showcase of features; it was an exploration of what becomes possible when trust, strategy, and technology align. 

The audience saw how insights could surface in real time to guide leaders in the moment. They saw how unified systems reduce friction for HR teams and employees alike. Most importantly, they saw how technology can empower people rather than overwhelm them. That is the heart of it: Technology should make work easier, fairer, and more human. 

Takeaways for leaders 

If you missed HR Tech this year, know this: trust is the true foundation of future readiness. Without it, no amount of technology will prepare an organization for what’s ahead. AI is no longer a distant concept. It’s here. The key is to start small, build knowledge, and keep people at the center of every decision. And nothing beats seeing technology in action. Demos and real-world examples show what tools can actually deliver beyond words on a page or promises made. 

In summary: A look at the HR technology road ahead 

The conversations at HR Tech 2025 made it clear that organizations that succeed won’t simply adopt new tools; they’ll use technology with purpose. They will also build trust, embrace AI responsibly, invest with intention, and keep people first.  

That is the future of HR technology, and the future of work. 

Learn more about how UKG HCM software puts workforce understanding to work to help you lead with insight and drive lasting impact.