Industry Leaders at CIPM HR Conference 2024 Highlight the Crucial Role of AI in Shaping the Future of Work
The future of productivity is not just digital—it is decisively AI-powered. That was the clear consensus at the session titled “Discover the Future of Productivity Through Digital Transformation”, a headline event at the International HR Conference 2024, hosted by CIPM Sri Lanka at the Monarch Imperial. Bringing together a distinguished panel of corporate leaders, the session explored how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of work and business transformation.
The discussion featured insights from Conrad Dias, Director of LOLC Holdings and Chairman of LOLC Finance; Dr. Romesh Ranawana, Group Chief Analytics and AI Officer at Dialog Axiata; and Prasanth Nair, Chief Human Resource Officer at Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals. Moderating the conversation was Oshana Dias, Chief People Officer at Fortude, who skillfully steered the dialogue toward both strategic implications and on-the-ground realities.
Kicking off the session, Conrad Dias declared that digital transformation is no longer a choice but a national and organisational imperative. Referencing World Economic Forum data, he pointed out that digitally mature companies outperform their peers by 45% in revenue growth. However, he cautioned against blanket solutions, stressing that digital strategies must be tailored to context. Highlighting LOLC’s involvement across sectors such as finance, leisure, and plantations, Dias emphasised the importance of assessing digital maturity before acting. He cited the transformation underway in Sri Lanka’s tea industry—where LOLC’s Browns is the world’s largest producer—as an example of how even traditional sectors are being revolutionised through digitisation and mechanisation. “The next generation won’t work the way their parents did,” he said. “We must bring technology to the field.” Dias also challenged the outdated notion that high capital costs are a barrier to digital adoption, noting that advanced AI tools that once cost thousands are now accessible for as little as $20 a month. He encouraged businesses to embrace a “fail fast” culture that prioritises rapid experimentation and learning over perfection.
Dr. Romesh Ranawana built on this by placing the current AI surge alongside the personal computing revolution of the late 20th century. “We’re entering an era where employees must work with AI, not just use it,” he stated. He described how AI is already transforming personal productivity through smarter scheduling and report summarisation, enhancing work-specific tasks like customer analytics, improving team collaboration by breaking down organisational silos, and driving enterprise-level efficiency through data-informed decision-making. However, he warned that without proper training, the power of AI can be wasted. “Giving AI to an untrained team is like handing someone a $100,000 piano who can’t play a note,” he said. Ranawana emphasised that the responsibility falls heavily on HR leaders to champion AI literacy and create an organisational culture where digital tools are not only implemented but effectively integrated.
Turning to leadership and culture, Prasanth Nair reminded the audience that technology alone cannot ensure successful transformation. “Leadership is still the number one reason why digital transformations fail,” he said. Drawing parallels with professional sports, he reflected on how Paris Saint-Germain’s success came only when the club moved from being a collection of star players to functioning as a cohesive team. “In business, culture and connection often matter more than individual brilliance,” he observed. Nair also cautioned against viewing AI as a neutral tool, likening its unchecked power to the mythical Bhasmasura, who destroyed himself with the very power he had been given. To navigate this risk, he proposed a three-part model for future-ready organisations: fostering an anti-fragile culture that thrives under pressure, embedding innovation into every layer of the organisation, and sustaining positive energy across the workforce. He encouraged leaders to think of this model—aptly named “AIE”—as standing for “Artificial Intelligence for Employees,” underscoring the importance of a balanced, human-centric approach to transformation.
Moderator Oshana Dias concluded the session by reiterating that while technology might set the pace, it is people who ultimately set the direction. A live poll conducted during the event revealed that most participants viewed digital transformation in their organisations as “in progress”—a promising sign, but also a reminder that transformation is a continuous journey. The speakers agreed that lasting change requires agility, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership grounded in empathy and purpose.
The central message of the session was clear: productivity in the digital age is not just about machines—it is about mindset, method, and meaning. AI may be the catalyst, but it is human intelligence that must lead the way.