Day 1

Being the Carpenter, Not the Nail: HR’s Role in the Age of Agentic AI

This session  explored how a new wave of “agentic AI” is transforming organisations by automating tasks and orchestrating workflows. In this session, Zellis AI leaders Steve Elcock and Winston Poyton challenged HR leaders to move beyond simply adopting technology and instead take a strategic role in shaping how AI is governed and applied across the organisation. Introducing agentic AI in clear, practical and human-first terms, they explored how it sits alongside Human-First AI, the balance between innovation, risk and governance, and the role HR must play in leading responsible adoption. Attendees gained a practical framework for evaluating AI opportunities and clear steps to begin implementing AI safely and effectively within their organisation. 

Download the session slides and explore the insights 

Day 2

 From Hype to How: Making Human-First AI work in HR Practice

In this session, the panel explored how HR leaders can move beyond the noise surrounding AI and focus on practical adoption that delivers real value. Hosted by Zellis CPO Sasha Watson, alongside Steve Elcock, Director of Product AI at Zellis, and Lauren Carroll, Head of People Services at Wesleyan, the session shared a candid conversation on turning AI curiosity into real organisational capability. Through practical examples and Wesleyan’s early adoption journey, the panel discussed how to identify meaningful HR use cases, address real operational challenges, and move from data to process to measurable business value — giving HR leaders clear insight into how to begin implementing AI in a responsible and impactful way. 

Download the session slides and explore the insights 

AI Grey Zone Report 

Closing the gap between AI ambition and real adoption

AI is already present in many organisations, but a significant gap remains between leadership expectations and employees’ everyday experience. Zellis research identifies this hidden space as the “AI grey zone” — where AI adoption exists but impact, confidence and usage remain inconsistent across the workforce.

The report explores why organisations struggle to move from AI ambition to real operational value and outlines practical steps HR and business leaders can take to align strategy, technology and workforce adoption. 

Download the AI Grey Zone Report

 Financial Wellbeing Report 

The business impact of financial stress and wellbeing at work

Financial pressure continues to be one of the biggest hidden challenges affecting employee wellbeing and organisational performance. Zellis research shows that when employees have access to financial wellbeing tools and use them regularly, financial stress decreases and engagement increases — with 78% of employees saying they contribute more to the business when they feel confident about their finances.

This report explores the link between financial wellbeing, productivity and organisational performance, and how HR leaders can build practical strategies that support employees while delivering measurable business outcomes.

Download the Financial Wellbeing Report