From Open Enrollment to AI: What’s Next for HR Leaders

Lessons learned, real shifts from HR Tech, and why benefits remains the next frontier for innovation

Author

Leah Joyner
October 16, 2025

I took the photo above on my way to HR Tech Conference – a fitting view for a week that was all about new horizons and fresh perspectives in HR

It’s been a few weeks since the HR Tech Conference, and I’m still unpacking everything I saw and heard. This year felt different – not just because AI was everywhere in action (not just in words), but because the conversations are finally getting real. Leaders aren’t asking “What is AI?” anymore. They’re asking, “How do we actually use it responsibly – and where do we start?”

What stood out most to me was how much energy is going into recruiting, analytics, and learning, while benefits and total rewards are still being left behind. That gap matters because it’s where so much of the employee experience lives day to day.

The conference reinforced what I already see in my client work: technology should simplify, not complicate, the work of HR. It should help leaders make smarter decisions, create better employee experiences, and free up time for what matters most.

So, as we wrap our 90-day OE Series, I’m turning my attention to what’s next – exploring how AI can truly transform benefits and total rewards, and what’s been holding it back.

Follow our LinkedIn newsletter to join that conversation.

OE Pitfalls: 90 Days of Open Enrollment Lessons – What We Learned (and What’s Next)

Over the past 90 days, we’ve tackled 10 of the most common Open Enrollment pitfalls, drawn from real client stories and lessons learned across dozens of projects. From carrier audits and dependent verification to the often-forgotten step of documenting what worked (and what didn’t). This series was all about turning OE chaos into clarity and helping teams avoid repeating the same mistakes year after year.

If you missed any along the way or you’re new to our community, you can catch the entire series here: Read all 10 OE Pitfalls on LinkedIn

To recap, here’s what we covered:

As we close, stay tuned for our next series. We’ll take a deeper look into the world of benefits and explore how artificial intelligence could reshape benefits administration as we know it today. We’ll unpack what’s holding AI back in this space, where it can drive real change, and what it would take to bring smarter automation and insights into the benefits ecosystem.

If you’d like to follow along, make sure you’re subscribed to our LinkedIn newsletter, where I’ll be sharing weekly insights and trends shaping HR, benefits, and the future of work.

 HCM TECH Happenings

HR Tech 2025

Our latest HR Tech market review confirmed what we’ve been seeing in the field: the HR tech market is at a crossroads. Innovation is accelerating, but not always in the expected areas.

A few highlights from our findings:
• AI is evolving fast, moving from generative to “agentic” AI that can act and make decisions within guardrails. Enterprise players like Workday and SAP are expanding through acquisitions, while mid-market vendors like HiBob and Darwinbox are racing to catch up
• Benefits and total rewards remain the slowest to modernize. Despite all the AI buzz, investment in benefits administration still lags behind other HR functions, largely because of data privacy and compliance concerns.
• Integration is becoming the new differentiator. As vendors push toward “employee experience platforms,” buyers are demanding transparency, stronger integrations, and systems that actually work together.

The takeaway? AI is here, but the real opportunity for HR lies in balancing innovation with practicality – especially in benefits and total rewards, where the potential for real impact is still untapped. That’s exactly where we’re headed next with our Benefits × AI series.

Culture in the workplace:
Reflections from the September 2025 Webinar Panel

Our September panel turned into one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations yet - a reminder that culture runs far deeper than “how we do things here.” Like an iceberg, what we see - behaviors, norms, and traditions - is just the surface. Beneath it lie the values that truly shape how we work and lead.

Here are a few moments that stood out:

• Culture is what you allow. The lowest behavior you tolerate sets the tone. Leaders carry the responsibility to step in quickly when something doesn’t align.

• Code-switching isn’t an on/off switch. For many, especially those from minority groups, navigating different identities is second nature. Awareness of this reality is key to building more inclusive workplaces.

• Finding your tribe matters. Whether through ERGs or informal connections, people need spaces where they feel seen. That sense of tribe strengthens culture more than any handbook ever could.

• Great leaders know their blind spots. Self-awareness isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about recognizing where you don’t and inviting others in.

• Honest conversations build trust. Sometimes it feels easier to share openly in forums like this panel than within your own company. That’s a signal — and an opportunity — for leaders to create safer spaces at work.

Culture isn’t static; it evolves with us — and the more we understand the “why” beneath the “what,” the better equipped we are to lead with empathy, courage, and impact.

 Upcoming Events & Community

HCM Tech Webinar Series

What We Learned at HR Tech 2025: Trends That Matter for HR Leaders
📅 October 29, 2025 | 🕑 2:00 PM EST 

Join us as we unpack this year’s HR Tech Conference — what stood out, what surprised us, and what it all means for the year ahead.

I’m excited to be joined again this year by Holly Larson, HR Technology and Benefits Strategist at USI, for a candid discussion on where HR technology is heading next. Together, we’ll share key takeaways from the conference floor, including:
• The trends gaining real traction
• What to expect from vendors as AI continues to reshape HR
• How HR leaders can turn all this innovation into practical next steps

We’ll share actionable insights to help HR teams make sense of what’s happening in HR tech right now and how to get started.

Past Webinars

Here to Help 

At HCM Tech Advisory, we’re more than HR and technology consultants. We’re strategic partners helping leaders solve complex challenges through the lens of deep HR and technology expertise. Whether you’re selecting the right HR tech vendor, implementing a new system, or refining your benefits administration, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Our goal is to help you build a sustainable, successful business. We tailor every engagement to ensure your HR technology decisions align with your organization’s goals and culture. With HCM Tech Advisory by your side, you can confidently tackle your biggest challenges and make decisions that drive long-term success.

Let’s work together to find solutions that empower your organization to thrive.

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