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Kyle Plett, Director of People and Culture, Car ToysKyle Plett is a senior HR executive with a proven track record of building people-first cultures that accelerate business growth. Having served in HR leadership across hospitality, QSR, technology, retail, and non-profit organizations, he brings a unique blend of operational insight and human capital strategy to every challenge. Currently serving as Director of People and Culture at Car Toys, he partners with C-level leaders to drive organizational performance through talent development, workforce planning, employee engagement, and risk mitigation. Hus work has consistently transformed HR from a support function into a key business enabler.
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming the shiny new tool in the HR toolbox. Want to predict turnover before it happens? Easy. Looking to automate scheduling, payroll, or benefits administration? AI has it covered. Efficiency is its superpower, and for HR teams often buried under paperwork and compliance checklists, the promise of AI feels like having the power of a Tony Stark inspired HR AI Jarvis at your fingertips. But while the machines can crunch data at lightning speed, they can’t exactly host a coffee chat, cheer on a teammate, or make someone feel like they belong. That’s where the movie magic ends and the human side of HR comes in
AI’s superpower is speed and accuracy of interpretation of data. When configured correctly, it can flag patterns of burnout, highlight which teams are thriving, and send reminders for everything from performance reviews to wellness checkins. These insights are valuable because they help HR leaders spot issues early. Yet knowing there’s a problem is only half the battle—the other half is human connection. No algorithm can replace a manager who sits down regularly to really listen, or a colleague who notices when someone seems off and checks in with genuine care.
“Company cultures thrive when people have meaningful interactions, when leaders listen with empathy, and when organizations celebrate individuality”
HR Technology is on a path to provide remarkable advantages in HR operations. Automating time-consuming tasks such as payroll, scheduling, and benefits administration allows HR professionals to redirect their energy toward more strategic initiatives. Predictive analytics can forecast turnover, pinpoint skills gaps, and recommend targeted development opportunities. In this sense, AI reduces administrative burdens, minimizes errors, and offers data-driven insights that empower HR leaders to make informed decisions. Efficiency becomes a competitive advantage, enabling organizations to respond to workforce needs with speed, but the challenge is to not have it feel transactional.
The real magic happens when AI and people combine their strengths. For example, AI might detect that engagement scores dipped in a certain department. That’s useful data—but the next step requires leadership to roll up their sleeves, start conversations, and rebuild trust. Similarly, AI can suggest personalized learning paths for employees, but it takes a supportive leader to encourage growth, celebrate milestones, and make development feel meaningful rather than transactional.
It’s important not to confuse efficiency with culture. Employees aren’t looking to “belong” to an algorithm—they want to feel part of a team, connected to the bigger mission of the company, seen by their leaders, and valued for who they are. Company cultures thrive when people have meaningful interactions, when leaders listen with empathy, and when organizations celebrate individuality. AI can point us in the right direction, but it can’t replace the warmth of a genuine thank-you, the fun of a team celebration, that growth-oriented coaching conversation or the trust built in a heartto-heart chat about our employees’ lives.
In the end, AI’s role in HR isn’t about choosing between robots and relationships. It’s about letting AI handle the heavy data lifting so HR can focus on building more targeted belonging, engagement, and trust strategies. When technology and humanity team up, organizations get the best of both worlds: operations that run smoothly and a culture where people feel they truly matter and are connected to the bigger mission of the company.
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