AI Won't Fix a Broken Process: Stacey Harris Shares Survey Data

AI won't fix a broken process — it makes outcomes worse. Stacey Harris shares new results from the 29th Annual HR Systems Survey on what actually drives better outcomes.

Former tech executives Meg Bear and Amy Wilson sit down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapien Insights Group, to break down 29 years of HR tech data and what it means for leaders working on AI, HR tech, and the future of work.

Stacey explains why companies that fix processes and HR data first see better business outcomes, why less than 50% of enterprises have an enterprise integration strategy for HR data, why HR is uniquely equipped to lead AI oversight, and why putting a chief AI officer in charge lowers HR's strategic standing and hurts results. Plus practical advice on how to raise burnout and cost pressure without sounding anti-AI.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro with Stacey Harris

01:11 Why 29 years of survey data matters

11:15 Why AI won't fix a broken process

15:01 Less than half have an HR data plan

30:14 Why a chief AI officer hurts outcomes

32:14 Why HR must lead AI oversight

33:14 Treat AI like employees?

38:58 Agent costs and rehiring after AI layoffs

53:36 Leadership Corner: Raising burnout without sounding anti-AI

65:14 Closing

📚 RESOURCES:

Sapient Insights Group: https://sapientinsights.com/

Stacey's HR Tech 2026 session, 29th Annual HR Systems Survey key findings: https://www.hrtechnologyconference.com/seminar-programme-2026/voice-customer-sapient-insights-group-29th-annual-hr-systems-survey-key-findings

"Introduction to HR Technologies" by Stacey Harris: https://sapientinsights.com/introduction-to-hr-technologies-book/

"Introduction to HR Technologies" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/060S7PXs

Lexy Martin, founder of the HR Systems Survey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexymartin/

Josh Bersin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bersin/

Leighanne Levensaler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighannelevensaler/

Aashna Kircher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashna-kircher-75657b34/

W. Edwards Deming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming

Meta to record employee keystrokes to train AI (TechCrunch): https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/21/meta-will-record-employees-keystrokes-and-use-it-to-train-its-ai-models/

Our AI transformation framework (Ep 24): https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/the-meg-and-amy-show/episode/episode-24-24-episodes-of-learning-our-ai-transformation-framework-for-getting-ahead

"You Can't Redesign Work With a Team You Haven't Designed" (Amy): https://www.themegandamyshow.com/p/you-can-t-redesign-work-with-a-team-you-haven-t-designed

"The End of the World Is Just the Beginning" by Peter Zeihan: https://a.co/d/0gEr0JTC

HR Tech 2026: https://www.hrtechnologyconference.com/

HR Tech taps WRKdefined as official podcast network: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/09/29/3370653/0/en/hr-tech-taps-wrkdefined-as-official-podcast-network-for-next-month-s-event.html

🔗 CONNECT:

Stacey Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyharris/

Website: https://www.themegandamyshow.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megandamyshow/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-meg-amy-show

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megbear/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-wilson-insight/

About The Meg and Amy Show: Former tech executives Meg Bear and Amy Wilson share bold takes and executive expertise on AI leadership, HR tech, and the future of work.

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