As we close out the year, I’ve been reflecting on everything we heard about AI in 2025. It felt like every event, every webinar, and every vendor message had something to do with AI. How we must learn it, how HR leaders need to own it, how we must embrace AI in our work, etc. But what does AI enablement actually mean for HR leaders and teams who are tasked to maintain and implement HR technology?

The real question is, does your system truly have AI?

And if not, and you need to shop, then what exactly are you being sold? What does “AI-enabled” really mean?

Going into 2026, the biggest issue I’m seeing is a gap between what vendors are selling and what buyers think they’re buying. You’ll hear phrases like “our system is AI-native,” but what does that actually mean? Most systems are not fully AI-native.

And that’s okay, as long as you understand what’s underneath.

AI didn’t suddenly show up in 2022. Generative AI is only one part of AI, the part most of us recognize because it uses large language models. But AI has been around since the 1950s. What’s changed is that AI moved from being buried deep inside systems (through formulas and machine learning) to being visible and accessible on the surface through generative AI that can think and act based on a written command.

We’ve gotten used to thinking “generative AI = AI,” but that’s not the full picture.

So when a vendor says their system is AI-native, ask what that means for their product. Many vendors now offer AI features or add-on tools inside their systems. That’s perfectly fine and includes copilots, embedded assistants, and ChatGPT-style features. But as a buyer, you need to know how it works, where it lives, and what it means for your organization.

• Does AI-native mean something proprietary?

• Does it mean they’re embedding AI tools sold by Microsoft, OpenAI, or someone else?

• Did they rebuild workflows or coding to support AI differently?

These are the questions that matter.

Knowing the “how” inside your systems will be one of the biggest takeaways as you plan your HR tech ecosystem for 2026.

Most HR leaders I talk to admit they have not been given the space, training, or clarity to answer these questions with confidence. And that’s where the real risk shows up.

Vendors are moving fast. Boards are asking about AI. Employees assume it already works. Meanwhile, the HR teams who are closest to the work are the least supported in understanding what’s actually inside their systems.

If you don’t know how your system uses (or doesn’t use) AI, you’re not alone. But 2026 is not the year to guess. Clarity here will protect your teams, your employees, and the work you do every day.

🎄 Holiday Closing

This year stretched all of us in different ways, in our leadership, in the work we do, and in how we think about the future of HR and benefits. I’m grateful for every conversation, every webinar, every question, and every moment that strengthened this community.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for trusting me and HCM Tech Advisory with your challenges, your learning, and your wins. Most importantly, thank you for your friendship.

As you head into the holidays, I hope you find rest, clarity, and joy, whatever that looks like for you.

Here’s to a new year with more understanding, more intention, and systems that truly support the people who keep our organizations running.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season full of love and hope.

Merry Christmas,
Leah

Benefits × AI: Solving for the Human Variable

As I reflected on this past year, I realized how much these conversations shaped the work we did in 2025. My goal has always been to understand the real role of AI, not just the buzzwords. That’s what inspired the Benefits × AI series.

It became a way to step back, look at benefits holistically, understand where we came from, and rethink how AI fits into systems that were never originally built with AI in mind.

These topics sparked some of the most honest and necessary discussions of the year.

Read here ⟶

2025 At A Glance

2025 was also a year of meaningful milestones. The work, the conversations, and the opportunities that came our way all pushed us to grow in new directions. I also really enjoyed the time spent with colleagues and our HR community this year. The connections, the shared learning, and the collaboration reminded me why I care so deeply about this space and the leaders who show up every day to make their organizations better. Here are a few highlights that shaped our year.

2025 Webinars

Our webinars this year brought leaders together to talk honestly about culture, early career experiences, technology, and AI. These conversations helped shape how we approached our work and supported the community throughout the year.

Blog Highlights

Here to Help 

As you begin planning for 2026, this is the moment to get clarity, not noise. HR leaders deserve support that goes beyond implementation checklists and vendor jargon. If you want guidance on AI readiness, system selection, or benefits technology strategy, we are here to help.

At HCM Tech Advisory, we combine deep HR, benefits, and technology expertise with the analytical rigor that comes from an actuarial background. We help leaders solve complex people and system challenges — whether that means selecting the right HR tech vendor, implementing a new platform, or optimizing benefits administration.

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.

Let’s connect »