172 | HR and AI: How One Company Helped Employees Embrace AI (with Laura Maffucci)

Laura Maffucci has played a key role in helping her organisation embrace AI. The surprising part? She doesn't actually like AI.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Laura, Head of HR at G-P, shares her honest perspective on AI, how her organisation has approached adoption, and the practical lessons she's learned along the way.We discuss everything from creating AI champions and governance processes to helping employees feel comfortable experimenting with AI. Laura also shares her thoughts on job loss fears, the importance of human oversight, and why the reality of AI at work can be very different from what many leaders expect.Whether your organisation is already embracing AI or you're just starting to think about what it might mean for your workforce, this conversation is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why Laura has mixed feelings about AI despite using it extensively at workHow GP approached AI adoption across the organisationThe role of AI champions and internal advocatesCreating psychological safety around AIHow to encourage experimentation without creating fearThe importance of governance, security and guardrailsWhy prompting skills matterThe risks of relying too heavily on AI outputsThe growing importance of discernment and critical thinkingThe disconnect between executive expectations and employees' experiences of AIPractical examples of how AI is being used within HR and across the businessChapters[00:00] Why I Finally Decided to Cover AI[01:57] Meet Laura Maffucci[02:51] Laura's Surprising View of AI[04:45] How AI Is Being Used at G-P[05:37] The AI Council and Governance[06:40] AI Champions, Training and Adoption[09:09] What's Had the Biggest Impact?[10:05] Finding Your AI Champions[11:33] Addressing Fear of Job Loss[11:47] Creating Psychological Safety Around AI[13:41] The Disconnect Between Leaders and Employees[16:06] The Number One Skill – Discernment[16:27] Cautionary Tale[17:19] The Right Way to Introduce AI[17:54] The Benefits of AI Adoption[18:57] Using Gemini Gems and AI Workflows[23:13] Creating AI Personas for Senior Leaders[24:17] AI Security and Confidential Information[26:15] Book Recommendation: Dare to Lead[28:13] Key Takeaways from the ConversationUseful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInLearn about Fay’s Essential HR PlannerLearn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeConnect with Laura on LinkedInG-P article:Why your best 2026 AI strategy is still humanHelpful HR Coffee Time episodes to listen to nextEp 181: HR in the AI Era - The 5 Foundations Every HR Leader Needs (with Charlotte Goulding)Ep 171: How to Build Trust & Get Buy-In Through Brilliant Employee CommunicationEnjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.