Ever tried to roll out AI in HR and hit the wall of “we’re too busy for that”?

In this week’s People & Pioneers - The Podcast, I spoke with Cecily Motley, co-founder of Harriet, about why AI isn’t here to replace HR, it’s here to free it.

Cecily’s path has been anything but predictable. From the art world to building a global fashion business, to now leading an AI platform reshaping how teams work. What I loved most was her honesty about the experience: the wins, the missteps, and the emotional flak jacket she’s had to wear building from zero.

We talked about:

🎙 How Harriet HQ uses AI to remove admin and free up strategic capacity

🎙 Reframing AI fear into augmentation

🎙 Building emotional resilience as a founder (“the emotional flak jacket”)

🎙 Real-world examples of AI in action

🎙 Cecily’s personal AI stack and where HR should start

Her line that stuck with me: “We’re not taking work off your desk. We’re taking the boring stuff off your desk.”

It’s a great reminder that the future of HR isn’t less human, it’s more focused. And the leaders who get that balance right will build the leanest, most valuable teams of all.