CIPD HR People Pod – Ep 32: AI and conflict | Eye-rolling | 'Hire-to-retire'| Succession planning
Sep 10, 2025
Join John Dawson, Chief People Officer at Lore Group, as he explores the intriguing intersection of AI and workplace conflict resolution. He debates the role of empathy in HR, and discusses the importance of supporting older employees through lifelong learning. The conversation takes an entertaining turn with insights on subtle gestures becoming legal issues and lessons from football transfer sagas to enhance succession planning. This discussion is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone in the people management space!
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Episode notes
AI As A Support Tool Not A Replacement
- AI can support conflict work by providing scaffolding like suggested questions or summaries.
- But Trish Hewitt warns AI cannot replace the empathy and human judgement needed in disputes.
Use AI Outputs Only After Human Verification
- Use AI to prepare mediators and draft questions but verify and human-check any summaries or decisions.
- John Dawson advises always to validate AI outputs and preserve the option of direct human conversation.
Personal Gig Stories Lighten The Conversation
- John Dawson shared his favourite gig memories, including seeing Oasis in Las Vegas and New York.
- He used the story to humanise the conversation and show the guests as full people.