All Episodes

December 8, 2025 43 mins

AI is reshaping how we work, and HR should be at the forefront.


In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald, a veteran HR tech strategist and self-proclaimed “HR tech nerd,” to unpack what it means for HR to lead in the age of AI.


Kristin shares:

  • Why AI literacy is now table stakes for HR leaders

  • How to build an AI roadmap that drives business value

  • What traps to avoid during tech implementations

  • How to evaluate AI vendors (and when to build vs. buy)

  • The role HR plays in AI governance, data readiness, and org-wide enablement


Whether your exec team is pushing AI adoption or you’re simply trying to modernize your HR tech stack, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to lead from the front.


Chapters

  • 00:00 | Intro: Why AI in HR is a Strategic Imperative
  • 01:39 | Meet Kristin: A Self-Proclaimed HR Tech Nerd
  • 02:11 | AI Overload: Trends, Buzzwords & Real Questions
  • 04:05 | Strategic Tech Stacks: It’s Not About the Shiny Tools
  • 06:32 | Before You Buy: The Internal Questions HR Must Ask
  • 08:54 | Integrations & IT: Don’t Buy Without These Partners
  • 10:25 | Point Solution vs. All-In-One: What Actually Works
  • 13:12 | Implementation Pitfalls: What HR Gets Wrong
  • 17:12 | Where Should HR Tech Live, IT or HR?
  • 21:07 | The Case for a Single AI Agent Experience
  • 22:12 | Why HR Must Lead AI Adoption (and How to Start)
  • 27:57 | How to Become AI Literate as an HR Leader
  • 30:24 | Getting a Seat at the AI Table: HR’s Influence Playbook
  • 35:43 | How to Build an AI Roadmap That Actually Works
  • 38:15 | Quick Wins vs. Long-Term AI Strategy
  • 39:42 | AI Governance: The Hot Topic No One Wants to Own
  • 42:18 | Final Advice: Learn Together, Lead with Confidence


Connect with Kristin McDonald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmcdonald1/

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.