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<\/a><\/a>\nArtificial intelligence is changing every stage of the employee lifecycle, from talent acquisition and performance management to organizational design and the day-to-day employee experience. The new program is designed for CHROs, HR executives, and senior people leaders who are expected to lead that change, with the frameworks and fluency to integrate AI in ways that create measurable business value while keeping the workplace human.<\/p>
\nDean Ian O. Williamson sees the program as a direct expression of how the Merage School views the future of work.<\/p>
\n\u201cThe intersection of AI and human capital is one of the most consequential leadership challenges of our time,\u201d said Williamson. \u201cThe future of work demands leaders who can think strategically about AI. Not just adopt it, but architect it in ways that strengthen organizations and the people within them.\u201d<\/p>
\nCo-developed by Merage School faculty and Konnect HR practitioners, the program blends academic frameworks with applied HR practice. Participants will gain:<\/p>
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- \nAI-powered HR strategies that create measurable business value<\/li>\n
- \nFrameworks for workforce transformation and data-driven decision-making<\/li>\n
- \nPractitioner-led simulations focused on AI implementation and organizational change<\/li>\n
- \nActionable insights they can apply immediately within their organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>
\nNoah Askin, associate professor of organization and management and faculty director of the Leadership Development Institute, leads the academic side of the program.<\/p>
\n\u201cWe\u2019re not just teaching HR leaders about AI. We\u2019re helping them develop the organizational fluency to lead transformation from the inside out,\u201d Askin said. \u201cThe combination of rigorous academic thinking and genuine practitioner expertise is what makes this program distinctive.\u201d<\/p>
\nFor Konnect, the partnership reflects a shared view of where HR leadership needs to go.<\/p>
\n\u201cUC Irvine\u2019s reputation for innovation and forward-thinking business strategy made this the ideal partnership to help shape the future of HR leadership,\u201d said Jamie Viramontes, founder and CEO of Konnect. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re helping HR executives build the confidence, strategic insight, and practical capabilities needed to lead AI transformation in ways that strengthen both business outcomes and employee experience.\u201d<\/p>
\nThe program runs from July 17 through Sept. 3, 2026, in a blended format. Weekly virtual sessions take place Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PST, with an in-person closing session at the Leadership Development Institute on the Merage School campus on Sept. 3.<\/p>
\nTuition is $4,800. To learn more or register, visit: uci.thinkific.com\/courses\/AIHRKonnect<\/a>.<\/p>
\nAbout UC Irvine\u2019s Paul Merage School of Business<\/b><\/p>
\nThe Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine prepares future business leaders through innovative programs, world-class faculty, and a commitment to academic excellence. The School\u2019s Leadership Development Institute, established in 2022, equips executives, entrepreneurs, and change-makers with the skills, mindset, and strategic acumen needed to navigate uncertainty and lead with purpose. For more information, visit merage.uci.edu.<\/p>
\nAbout Konnect<\/b><\/p>
\nFounded in 2020, Konnect is a people-first human resources partner delivering modern, human-centered HR solutions that combine high-touch expertise with AI-enabled technology to help organizations streamline HR operations, strengthen compliance, and improve employee experience. Through its commitment to Keeping HR Human\u2122, Konnect takes the complexity out of HR so organizations can focus on growth. For more information, visit www.hrkonnect.com<\/a>.<\/p>