Deputy’s View on AI, ROI, and the Human Side of Workforce Management

What happens when eighty percent of the global workforce receives less than one percent of technology investment, and why has this imbalance gone largely unchallenged for so long?In this episode, I sat down with Emma Seymour, Chief Financial Officer of Deputy, to unpack the realities facing the world’s so-called invisible workforce. Deskless workers power healthcare, retail, hospitality, and frontline services, yet the tools built to support them have historically lagged far behind those designed for office-based teams. Emma brings a grounded, finance-led perspective on why this gap exists and why it is finally starting to close.We explored how AI-driven workforce management is moving beyond hype and into practical, measurable outcomes. From optimizing staffing levels to reduce overstaffing and burnout, to giving workers more control over their schedules through self-service tools, Emma shared how Deputy is translating technology investment into real operational and human impact. We also discussed how AI is reshaping the finance function itself, automating admin-heavy tasks and freeing up teams' time to focus on higher-value work.What also stood out in this conversation was leadership. Deputy’s predominantly female executive team offers a rare example of scaling a billion-dollar technology company while balancing high performance with high care. Emma shared how trust, accountability, and empathy shape decision-making inside the business, and why that culture matters just as much as product innovation when serving a workforce that has been overlooked for decades.As AI continues to accelerate and workforce pressures intensify, what would it look like if more technology companies truly built for the people who keep the global economy running, and how differently might work feel if the invisible workforce finally became visible?Useful LinksConnect with Emma SeymourLearn more about Deputy,Follow on LinkedInThanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.