#HRTechChat: Robert Mattson on Storytelling, AI, and Making HR Technology Matter

In this episode of #HRTechChat, Nicole Roberts (Senior Analyst & Advisor, 3Sixty Insights) is joined by Robert Mattson—technologist, marketing leader, communications coach, author, and the newest member of the 3Sixty Insights analyst team—for a wide-ranging conversation about the experiences shaping his approach to HR technology and industry research. Robert explains why every technology investment should ultimately answer one question: Does it improve what people and organizations can do? Together, they unpack the current AI scramble, the danger of treating new technology as a silver bullet, and why adoption, governance, effectiveness, and predictability matter more than hype. They also explore the disconnect between executive promises of cost savings and the employee-facing message that AI is simply a tool designed to make people better at their jobs. The conversation also examines why effective communication begins with the audience rather than the message. Robert shares his “selfish, lazy, and smug” framework for understanding what audiences need, why companies should communicate outcomes instead of features and functions, and how lived values and customer stories create meaningful differentiation. As he begins his work with 3Sixty Insights, Robert plans to investigate the roadblocks preventing organizations from realizing value from technology—and help vendors explain more clearly where their solutions fit, why they matter, and where they may fall short.