The 5th Annual HR TECH Summit ended on a high with over 400 HR and technology professionals attending this B2B event to discuss the latest trends and best practices discussing the role of technology in transforming HR departments across private and public sectors. In line with the current trends that rule the world of work and keeping in mind the Middle East's hunger for innovation, the HR Tech MENA Summit in its fifth year unlocked the full potential of HR technology and how organizations can make this digital shift seamless. Dr. Shawn DuBravac, internationally renowned futurist and top 40 under 40 leaders, opened the summit with his key note sharing the latest trends on future of work and highlighted the impact of new technologies in the workplace. Focusing on increasing employee engagement and building goodwill in the organization. Dr. DuBravac explained the importance of creating the perfect digital workforce experience. Commenting on this subject, he said "As in all sectors, growth of technological use in HR is on the horizon. HR will also drive cultural change within their organizations, helping organizations become data-centric decision makers." The annual summit completing half a decade since its inception, this year focused on the most important issues facing the digitalization and datafication of the HR function. Commenting on this milestone, Sidh NC, Director, QnA International said. "The global human resource management (HRM) sector is projected to reach $30 billion by 2025. Technology in HR is currently booming and has contributed immensely to attracting the right pool of candidates, retaining human capital, aligning organizational strategies with individual goals, and managing human resources in a manner that results in increased productivity and organizational growth. Digitalization can make these and other tasks easier. The discussions across the two days at the HR TECH MENA Summit saw an exchange of ideas, planning and strategies to fuel workplace innovation and transformation." Experts from Oracle, SAP, MetLife, Zone, Emirates HR, Zurich, New Horizons, BiggLoyalty, and People Fluent were on the stage to discuss industry figures and statistics on the HR transformation in the region. AI, Blockchain, IOT and other latest innovations and technological implementation in HR functions and their key role in HR transformation were highlighted. Data today is moving from being scare to being available in plenty. Out of the data collected in the last 10 years, 90% of data is generated in the last two years. Commenting on this data explosion and emerging technologies that are impacting HR, Anand Subramanian, Director – Applications Strategy & Innovations Head - ECEMEA, Oracle Corporation focussed on the need for HR to embrace AI and emphasised on employee connectivity and the changing models and mindsets in preparing the workforce for a shift from the physical to the digital world taking into account the dynamics and demographics of the new workforce. Best practices on Digital HR from CHROs from First Abu Dhabi Bank, Aramex, Batelco, Ministry of Finance, KSA, Ministry of Community Development UAE, Emaar Hospitality, amongst others were shared. Millennials are the fastest growing generation in the workforce. They represent 45% of the workforce globally and is expected to grow to round 75% by 2025. Growing up with the internet as an everyday part of their lives, they are the first to embrace and take advantage of technology that connects people electronically. With the dynamically shifting paradigms at the workplace, employees are looking for a diverse set of benefits. Andrew Stocker, Head of Employee Benefits, MetLife Gulf, on board as the Employee Experience & Wellbeing Partner, focused on the role of millennials at the workplace and the opportunities that employers can offer. Stocker highlighted the millennial generation as the wellness generation and underlined the importance of health and wellness being a central component of offerings at the workplace contributing heavily to an employee's overall engagement within the business. Digital technologies at the workplace are transforming the way companies create revenue and improve efficiencies via innovative strategies, products, processes and experiences. Companies in the Middle East are witnessing an explosive growth in digitization of HR focusing workplace wellbeing and excellence. The two-day event hosted over 60 regional and international speakers while organizing three parallel sessions on day 2 focusing on learning and development tech, GOV HR Transformation and employee experience and well-being powered by MetLlife. — SG
