On May 4-7, 2026, the Human Resources Team attended the HR Tech Asia 2026 in Singapore. The delegation consisted of Lloyd Delos Arcos, Assistant Manager for Human Resources; Loraine Viray, Compensation and Benefits Admin Officer; Jessy Marciano, Head of Human Resources; and Carla V. Racho, President and COO. With the theme “Inspiring You to Inspire Success,” the event aimed to discuss the growing prevalence of technological advancements, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their implications for modern HR functions and operations.
The advantages of AI were discussed during the conference. Conversations centered on its role in the workplace, especially in HR operations. Lloyd reflected that it plays a significant role in making their work more efficient and effective.
“AI and technology improve processes and make our work easier.”
The team recognized that AI has become a valuable tool for enhancing efficiency and productivity. According to them, this technological advancement has significantly transformed the way HR operations are carried out.
Despite these advantages, he reiterated that AI should only be used as a tool for more convenient operations—not as an entire replacement for humans. Meanwhile, according to Loraine, despite its rapid proliferation, human integration remains essential in achieving organizational success, highlighting the important role of human oversight.
“…human integrations remain essential in the workplace [as] we provide the emotional intelligence [that is] needed to truly understand our people…”
In line with this, Lloyd added that HR is about people. So while AI plays a vital role in enhancing HR operations, it still does not have t
he capacity to understand human emotions, which is essential for leading people. He further pointed out that only humans can build authentic relationships that foster a collaborative and engaged environment.
“AI excels in terms of processing data, but it lacks emotional intelligence and understanding of complex human experiences.”
Another key point raised during the convention was the growing concern surrounding AI integration. The HR team acknowledged the significant advantages brought by this advancement, particularly in enhancing productivity and efficiency. At the same time, however, they pointed out that they are experiencing several challenges in integrating AI into HR operations.
According to Loraine, the main limitation is people’s fear of and resistance to technology.
“…some employees are very traditional regarding their work and are resistant to the changes we aim to implement.”
Furthermore, since people come from different generations with varying levels of comfort with technology, Lloyd acknowledged that implementation challenges may also arise. Nevertheless, he emphasized that these differences should not become the primary focus.
“I learned in the convention that we should not be looking at the differences. We must focus on a collaborative effort and be engaged in creating great output.”
Given these challenges, the team highlighted the important role played by HR in addressing such hurdles. They stated that proper training helps reduce people’s fear of change. More importantly, it is essential to guide employees properly so they can better navigate emerging technologies. Loraine also encourages people to learn and adapt to new tools and systems.
“By showing them the positive impact of the changes that we are planning to implement, we can show employees how these updates contribute to their career growth.”
Similarly, the HR team admitted that they also experience the same overwhelming feelings brought about by rapid digital innovation. According to Lloyd, adapting to these sudden changes is a shared responsibility. Both employees and the HR team need adaptability, flexibility, and openness to learning in order to cope.
Beyond adaptation, Loraine also discussed accountability in terms of implementation. Since the HR team is the primary driver of this initiative, they highlighted the importance of being accountable.
“As HR professionals, we must take accountability for the initiatives we implement. Workplace change is critical; it can either be a major success or a significant risk. Maintaining accountability is challenging because our decisions might impact both the employees and the company’s future.”
Drawing from their learnings during the conference, Lloyd said that they plan to apply these insights to their operations, particularly in how they communicate with people to foster more collaborative work.
“ISSI Corp invests in their people. That is how we pay it forward by giving the same opportunity to others. To share those learnings with the people of ISSI Corp.”
The team hopes that the knowledge and best practices they gained from the conference will contribute to more informed, adaptive, and empowered workforce.
As the event concluded, the team reflected on the importance of maintaining a balance between humans and AI. While AI greatly enhances daily operations, human integration remains crucial.
Moreover, Lloyd highlighted that support is the most important factor in successfully implementing these changes.
Finally, he emphasized that regardless of age and familiarity with technology, everyone must be given an equal opportunity to learn and grow.
“Age should never be a barrier to evolution or growth. Instead of focusing on age, we should prioritize equality and ensure everyone has the same opportunity to adapt to change.”
All in all, the HR team hopes to be able to apply the learnings from the conference to enhance the effectiveness of HR operations. Moreover, they aim to effectively integrate AI into the workplace. Finally, the team seeks to find the right balance between technological advancements and human capabilities.
ISSI Corp is a business process solutions company that builds complex, high-value operations with precision, speed, and intelligence. Founded in 2010 and based in Manila, we bring 15 years of deep expertise in serving the insurance, SaaS, AI, and IT industries. Our core offerings include ModernCX™(Customer Experience), BackOffice+ (Back Office Support), and ContentGuard (Content Moderation).
Trusted by leading U.S. Life Insurers and managing over 1 million inbound calls annually, we blend seasoned human expertise with AI and digital technology to create revenue-generating customer experiences and operational excellence. ISSI Corp is your strategic partner for customer experience and growth enablement, delivering peace of mind built on trust.
