This highlight video is from the May 15th Milwaukee Talent Development Conference 2025, session Latest Research Trends: Balancing Technology and Talent in the AI Era.
At the Milwaukee Talent Development Conference 2025, Mara Stefan, VP of Global Insights at ManpowerGroup, didn’t just share data—she issued a strategic challenge to every HR leader in the room.
Her message was clear: thriving in the AI era means rethinking how we build, support, and scale a workforce that blends human and machine intelligence. With global insights from 60+ countries and the newly launched Work Intelligence Lab, Mara spotlighted the biggest forces reshaping how we lead talent today.
🔑 Key Takeaways from Mara’s keynote:
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AI isn’t optional. Leading organizations are piloting AI in “safe zones” to learn without risking critical operations.
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74% of companies face severe talent shortages—yet many haven’t tapped overlooked groups like retirees, returners, and career-switchers.
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Workforce design is now modular. Talent comes in all forms—freelance, contract, part-time, and full-time. Problem-solving matters more than job titles.
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Inclusion is a business strategy. The future workforce doesn’t exist without it. Expanding access is the fastest way to scale capability.
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Green and “turquoise” jobs linked to environmental transformation are redefining skill needs across industries.
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Latest Research Trends: Balancing Technology and Talent in the AI Era[/caption]
💬 Quote to remember:
“This moment in time is not about choosing between tech and talent—it’s about recognizing that both are now the great enablers of work. Tech alone won’t get us there. Talent alone won’t either. Together, they move us forward.” – Mara Stefan, ManpowerGroup
Mara’s call to action? Stop waiting for clarity. HR must lead with experimentation and urgency—retooling outdated models and embracing emerging tech to prepare for what's next.
Because the organizations that get comfortable with learning in motion will be the ones defining the future of work.
