Advertise on podcast: Fullstack HR

What if an AI manager could do a better job than your current boss? Johannes explores this deliberately provocative question – not to argue that we should replace managers with AI, but to challenge our assumptions about what management is actually for. From the industrial revolution roots of the manager role to DoorDash's algorithmic task distribution, he examines whether the core function of "making sure work gets done" might be ripe for reinvention. If AI can handle delegation, and some managers already lack the empathy we claim only humans possess, what should human leaders actually focus on? A call to start the conversation about leadership's future before it's decided for us.

What happens when a four-week project takes 45 minutes? That's what I experienced over Christmas with Claude Code. In this episode, I share what I built, why this matters beyond coding, and the hard questions organizations need to start asking. Because this isn't slowing down.

Transforming Work with AI: Insights from EY and PWC SurveysIn this episode, Johannes Sundlo discusses the limited transformative use of AI in workplaces, referencing new surveys from EY and PWC. Despite high adoption rates for basic AI tasks, only a small percentage of employees leverage AI for advanced purposes. Sundlo emphasizes the need for better training, organizational alignment, and inclusive AI programs to bridge capability gaps and enhance productivity. The episode also explores the psychological challenges of AI learning and the potential for AI to replace HR roles, urging organizations to focus on strategic AI adoption and workforce development.00:00 Introduction and Overview00:49 EY Work Reimagined Survey Insights03:05 PWC Global Workforce Survey Findings06:54 Challenges in AI Learning and Adoption08:57 Future of HR in the AI Era11:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Read the full article here and get all the links: fullstackhr.io ROI Reality Check - IBM study shows 66% of companies already see significant AI productivity gains, with 41% expecting ROI within a year. But the gap between large enterprises and SMEs is widening fast. Ernst & Young's Smart Move - They've built a tool that shows employees exactly how their jobs are changing, what'll be automated, and what skills they need next. Over 200,000 employees have engaged with it. Citigroup's Scale - 1 million automated code reviews, 7 million AI tool uses, freeing up 100,000 developer hours weekly. This is what productivity at scale actually looks like.The Recruiting Arms Race - 50% of hiring managers use AI to screen candidates. 70% of candidates use AI to write applications and prep for interviews. It's like two AIs playing chess, neither realizing it. Chipotle's Results - Used conversational AI for 20,000 seasonal hires. Application completion jumped from 50% to 85%, time-to-hire dropped from 12 days to 4.The Big Questions:How do we redesign roles when AI does significant work?What does "knowledge" even mean in the AI era?Do we need to completely rethink the recruitment funnel?The pattern? Companies treating AI as a campaign fail. Those treating it as an operating model win. This isn't about buying licenses and booking training sessions—it's about fundamentally redesigning how work gets done.

Link to all the articles mentioned here. This week's news highlights the rapid acceleration of white-collar automation, posing significant challenges for the workforce as training programs lag behind in preparing employees for an ai-driven future. The latest developments in ai adoption are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, with companies like OpenAI making substantial investments, such as a $1.4 trillion bet on artificial general intelligence. As ai training becomes increasingly crucial for professionals to remain relevant, it is essential to address the gap between the pace of automation and the availability of effective training programs. In this video, we will delve into the implications of these trends and explore the potential consequences for the job market and the future of work. With ai adoption on the rise, it is more important than ever to prioritize ai training and ensure that the workforce is equipped to thrive in an automated economy.

New data reveals why workers are choosing AI over human leadership – and what it means for the future of management

Read the article here. This weeks article argues that while curiosity remains important, it is insufficient on its own for effective leadership and organizational success in the AI era. I'm your host, Johannes Sundlo, highlights three essential traits leaders must combine: Curiosity – A willingness to explore, ask questions, and learn about AI and new possibilities. Business Understanding – A deep, practical awareness of what drives their organization, whether in sales, customers, or operations. 3. Action/Experimentation – The ability and willingness to engage hands-on with AI, building and testing solutions rather than just theorizing. Johannes Sundlo is a leading global expert on making AI adoption stick in organisations. With deep HR and leadership expertise, he helps companies worldwide turn AI from theory into daily practice.

A massive field experiment with 70,000 applicants just delivered one of the most important findings for HR: AI voice agents conducting job interviews outperformed human recruiters. The results:✅ 12% more job offers✅ 18% more people actually starting their jobs✅ 17% higher 30-day retention✅ 78% of applicants preferred AI over a human recruiter Recruiters had predicted the opposite. The data proved them wrong. In this episode, I break down what the study means for HR, fairness, and the future role of recruiters. Read the full article here:

In under ten minutes we unpack the week: Washington’s new AI plan, CEOs deploying agentic AI co‑workers, a five‑skill “bionic” roadmap for leaders. Ten fresh stories, plain talk on why they matter, and one click gets you the full links.

AI agents are the tech world’s latest obsession, but are they ready to transform work—or just overhyped? I dive into what AI agents really are, their potential, and why most organizations aren’t ready for them yet. Drawing on insights from Nvidia and industry experts, I break down the promise and challenges of AI agents and share practical steps HR teams can take now to prepare for the future. Plus, I share a sneak peek of a free tool I’m launching to help organizations navigate the EU AI Act. Tune in for a clear-eyed look at the future of AI in the workplace.

In this episode of FullStack HR, we dive into one of the trends shaping HR in 2025: proprietary AI models. Why are companies moving beyond generic tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to build their own tailored AI solutions? We explore the driving factors—control, customization, cost, and competitive edge—and breaks down how even smaller HR teams can take steps toward creating custom AI tools. You’ll learn about: The shifts making proprietary AI models more accessible. Real-world examples from companies like McKinsey, Salesforce, and Gong. Practical tips for identifying bottlenecks and collaborating with IT. A hybrid approach for smaller teams to leverage AI today. Don’t forget to subscribe for insights that are smarter, funnier, and just a little bit geekier than the rest.

What if your top performers aren’t who you think they are? Meet the AI-empowered workers—individuals who are leveraging generative AI to amplify their impact, drive innovation, and redefine workplace success. One might call them superworkers as well. In this episode, we explore how these workers are transforming HR and beyond, why their adaptability is setting a new standard for performance, and what leaders need to do to foster their growth. Plus, practical tips for HR professionals looking to become AI-enabled themselves. Want to get started? Check out my free Prompt School designed for HR professionals: Learn AI for HR. Let’s dive in and shape the future of work together!

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a fascinating study from the University of Gothenburg about the HR Business Partner (HRBP) model in Scandinavian workplaces. The study highlights some big gaps between the ideal HRBP role and what actually happens in practice. Many HR professionals struggle with the strategic side of the role, and there’s often a disconnect between what line managers need—more operational support—and what the HRBP role is supposed to offer. One of the key takeaways is the idea of moving towards a team-based approach to HR, which might fit better with the collaborative culture in Scandinavian companies. It’s a reminder that we need to adapt global HR models to fit our local context, rather than just adopting them as-is. Tune in to hear more about these insights and how they could impact the way we think about HR in our own organizations!

Read the full article here. In this episode, I explore the complexities of the EU AI Act and its implications for HR. From transparency requirements to the challenges of innovation, I talk about how this new legislation might shape the future of HR. Whether you're in HR or just interested in AI regulations, this episode offers insights into how to navigate the evolving landscape and remain competitive in the global market. Tune in to learn how to prepare your organization for compliance while still driving innovation.

In this episode, I’m back from a traditional Swedish summer break and ready to explore what I’m calling the "AI Expectation Problem." I discuss how the hype around AI might be outpacing reality, drawing some interesting parallels with the dot-com bubble of the late '90s. I’ll also share my thoughts on the Gartner Hype Cycle and why many organizations aren't seeing the promised productivity gains from AI—and what they need to do to bridge that gap. If you prefer reading, you can check out the full article at fullstackhr.io. Whether you're listening on Spotify, watching on YouTube, or following along on LinkedIn, be sure to subscribe and leave your feedback. I’m experimenting with this format, blending podcast and video, and your input is invaluable as I continue to refine the show. Tune in to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the ever-evolving HR landscape!