HR leaders tackle AI-era people management, data ethics and hiring

Business leaders from across Malta met earlier this month to discuss how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, from the future of people management and responsible data governance to ethics and hiring in the age of AI.

Earlier this month, KNIGHTS College hosted The Human Edge: Leading People When AI Can Do the Work, a focused morning gathering that brought together around 40 senior HR, people and operations leaders.

The session moved beyond the well-worn question of whether AI will change HR, and instead tackled what HR and people leadership must become when many traditional tasks can be automated. 

The morning gathering brought together around 40 senior HR, people and operations leaders.

Participants explored how organisations can preserve the “human edge” when policies can be drafted in seconds, candidate screening increasingly relies on algorithms, and performance review narratives can be generated at the click of a button.

The event opened with remarks by Knights College CEO and founder Morgan Parnis, setting the scene for a practical conversation about the opportunities, and responsibilities, emerging alongside new AI capabilities.

Knights College is dedicated to work-based learning, offering students the opportunity to engage in higher education that is designed around the realities of contemporary work life. Students are taught by industry professionals, and get real-world work experience as part of their training and education. 

A panel discussion followed, bringing together Alessandro Canella, co-founder and head of growth at Growy; Matthew Sammut, director at 9H Digital PLC and ICE Campus; and Olivia Rossi, HR professional and coach at Mdina Partners. 

The discussion was moderated by Katrina Grech, chief growth officer at Mdina Partners.

Across the morning, speakers and attendees addressed some of the most pressing people challenges facing Maltese organisations: the future of people management as workflows evolve, the impact of data governance and ethics when employee information and AI tools intersect, and how hiring decisions can remain fair and transparent in the age of AI. 

The conversation also highlighted the growing need for leaders to build trust, strengthen judgement and communication, and create clear guardrails for responsible AI use, particularly in areas that directly affect employees’ careers and wellbeing.

The session closed with reflections and networking, with many attendees noting the value of a candid, senior-level forum to compare approaches and learn from peers as organisations navigate a fast-changing HR landscape.3C Malta also offered complimentary on-site health checks.  

Both Knights College and 3C Malta form part of the Business Leaders ecosystem.