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In this special episode of Tomorrowist, Cal Engstrom, Senior Researcher at SHRM, and Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst at SHRM, explore the HR technology trends reshaping the future of work — and what they mean for organizations navigating rapid transformation. From the evolving role of AI and automation to the growing need for connected HR and IT strategies, this conversation unpacks how leaders can modernize responsibly while building more agile, future-ready workplaces.
Related to this Episode:
Webinar: HR Tech Trends
Join Kenny Pyle, HR technology lead analyst at SHRM, and Cal Engstrom, senior researcher for SHRM's Thought Leadership team, as they unpack the past, present, and future of HR technology.
Development Solution: AI Enablement for HR
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News + Insights
Discover how organizations can close HR tech knowledge gaps, improve adoption, and drive ROI through smarter, strategic technology decisions.
Episode Guest
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Cal Engstrom
Cal Engstrom drives innovation as a senior researcher for the Thought Leadership team at SHRM. He leads a variety of research projects focusing on artificial intelligence, HR technology, robotics, total rewards, organizational benchmarking, and layoffs. Within his current role, he directs the organization's Benefits research, investigates the impact of AI in the workplace, and analyzes the evolving HR Technology Marketplace.
Cal also assists in creating comprehensive technology guides to help leaders make informed decisions. Beyond his traditional research duties, he serves as the primary programmer and specialist for Opus, SHRM’s robot employee.
When he steps away from his professional work, Cal enjoys drinking chai, watching French New Wave cinema, and tinkering with electronics.
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Kenny Pyle
Kenneth Pyle is the HR Technology Lead Analyst at SHRM where he leads a team bringing practical HR technology insights to its members. Leveraging more than 20 years of experience across multiple industries, Pyle has spent the past decade in HR, focusing his teams’ efforts on their clients’ questions. Prior to SHRM, he was the Senior Director, Advisory at Gartner for eight years, and two years as the Senior Director of Strategic Consulting at TalentNeuron after the division was acquired.
He enjoys helping HR leaders achieve their strategic goals through data insights and HR best practice research. From founding a startup to working at a Fortune 500 company and from academia to the entertainment industry, his broad background helps find solutions for a diverse set of clients.
He lives in the Washington DC suburbs with his wife, three children, and overly-energetic doodle puppy.
Episode Transcript
This transcript is coming soon.
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