In the AI era, the roles of the CLO and CHRO have never been more vital as they navigate the evolving intersection of technology, talent, and organizational growth.
The ideas shared here are not solely our own. They come from the Fortune 500 and FTSE HR leaders who are part of The Learning Forum, a research and networking organization where senior leaders from the world’s largest companies and key government agencies engage in confidential peer learning within a high-trust network. We’ve done our best to capture their insights as we understood them, and we trust they’ll guide us if we miss the mark.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just reshaping industries but fundamentally transforming how the way we work. By driving augmentation, automation, and the rise of digital workers, traditional jobs and roles are being redefined, and new ways of working are emerging. This presents a dual challenge for businesses: adapting to AI-driven changes while seizing opportunities to optimize organizational structures, workforce strategies, people development, and cultural alignment.
Augmentation, Automation, and Digital Workers
AI has the potential to enhance human capabilities by taking over repetitive and time-consuming tasks, enabling employees to focus on higher-value, creative, and strategic work. As these technologies mature, organizations are rethinking people development, workforce planning, and work design. Workforce strategies are no longer limited to people; they must now incorporate AI assistants and digital workers as essential contributors to enterprise goals. This transformation requires leaders to develop a shared understanding of tasks, skills, and roles, fostering a balance between human and AI collaboration to drive efficiency and innovation.
Employees as Self-Directed Learners
Large Language Models (LLMs) empower employees to take charge of their own development. Rather than depending on structured training programs, workers can now access on-demand training, coaching, development tips, and performance support. These technologies allow employees to bridge skill gaps in real time, adjust to new responsibilities, and stay ahead in a changing workplace.
Additionally, employees are increasingly becoming active contributors to organizational learning. With AI-enhanced platforms, they can create and share knowledge, develop their own training materials, and establish best practices for their teams. This peer-driven, dynamic approach to learning nurtures a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
There is growing concern that L&D teams will need to oversee the surge of AI-powered content generation, yet no viable solution currently exists to manage this effectively. Some question whether the effort is worthwhile, as employees already leverage AI tools to enhance their ability to work faster and more efficiently.
The Role of the CLO
The Chief Learning Officer (CLO) is at the forefront of addressing the challenges and opportunities brought by AI in the workplace. As traditional learning models give way to work-embedded development, the CLO’s responsibilities are evolving to include:
Redefining Learning Strategies: Shifting from static training programs to dynamic, AI-driven systems that deliver learning through work processes.
Leveraging AI for Personalization: Deploying AI tools to create tailored learning experiences that address individual employee needs while aligning with organizational goals.
Fostering Knowledge Sharing: Designing frameworks and systems that empower employees to create and disseminate insights, enabling a self-sustaining culture of learning.
Embedding Development into the Workforce DNA: Ensuring learning is integrated into every aspect of work, enabling continuous skill-building and adaptation.
The CLO must lead and act as a bridge between emerging AI capabilities and the organization’s need to foster human potential, ensuring that employees remain resilient, skilled, and adaptable.
The Role of the CHRO
The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) plays a complementary and equally vital role in leading organizations through this transformation. While the CLO focuses on learning and development, the CHRO oversees the broader workforce strategy, ensuring that human resources initiatives align seamlessly with business objectives. The CHRO’s key responsibilities include:
Integrating AI into Workforce Planning: Develop strategies that incorporate AI agents and digital workers alongside human employees, optimizing efficiency and fostering innovation.
Driving Workforce Optimization: Align human and AI resources to meet the evolving organization's evolving needs, redefining roles and responsibilities as necessary to stay competitive.
Building a Unified Workforce Strategy: Promote collaboration between employees and AI tools to create a cohesive, productive, and future-ready work environment.
Promoting Change Leadership: Lead cultural alignment by fostering understanding and acceptance of AI as a partner in the workforce, ensuring a smooth transition during this transition.
By embracing these responsibilities, the CHRO ensures that organizations are not only prepared for the challenges of AI integration but are also poised to unlock its full potential.
Final Thoughts
Together, the CLO and CHRO form a critical leadership team, steering the strategic, operational, and cultural dimensions of workforce transformation. If done right, their partnership can ensure that integrating AI into the workplace enhances productivity, creates meaningful on-the-job development opportunities, and empowers employees to thrive in the evolving world of work.
Integrating AI into the workforce is far more than a technological shift—it is a strategic imperative. Organizations that embrace this transformation can unlock unparalleled efficiency, foster innovation, unlock new opportunities for people development, and enhance collaboration.
By aligning workforce optimization and planning with AI capabilities, businesses can position themselves for long-term success in an AI-driven world. As AI continues to reshape the nature of work, the roles of the CLO and CHRO are indispensable. Together, they must reimagine workforce strategies, embed AI into the fabric of work, and prepare their companies to navigate the demands of a rapidly evolving workplace. By taking these steps, they not only future proof their organizations but also empower employees to excel.
Discover More from The Learning Forum
If this topic resonates with you, we invite you to explore these resources.
The Strategic Role of CLOs and CHROs in the Age of AI
We are launching a new peer group designed to explore the challenges and opportunities discussed in this article. This group will be a forum for senior leaders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and co-create strategies for thriving in an AI-driven workplace. Join us to be part of these forward-thinking conversations.
Our CLO LIFT program brings together senior HR leaders to collaboratively address the critical challenges facing today’s learning and development landscape. This practitioner-led initiative provides a unique platform to connect with peers, share insights, develop actionable solutions, and help shape strategies that deliver meaningful impact across the broader L&D community.
One of our 2025 Focus Areas includes The Future Role of the CLO.
What are your thoughts?
The opportunity for HR to make a strategic impact has never been more significant. The challenge is identifying the steps that must be taken today to propel the organization forward. We’d love to hear your thoughts—what actions do you believe are essential for success
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