Season 2

The UnleashPeople Podcast Episode 1

The HR & TA Challenges of 2026 with Anastasija Remović (en)

In this season premiere, Ina and Christian are joined by Anastasija Remović, a seasoned Talent Acquisition expert based in Amsterdam, to dissect the pressing challenges facing Human Resources and Talent Acquisition in 2026. As the landscape of work shifts under the weight of geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty, the conversation dives deep into the evolving role of HR functions.

This episode explores the critical intersection of AI and human strategy. The hosts debate whether HR has finally secured a strategic "voice at the table" or if the function is still struggling to move beyond operational tasks despite years of automation promises. Key topics include the rise of agentic AI, the necessity of maintaining "human in the loop" governance, and the vital importance of emotional intelligence in an automated world.
Join us as we move beyond the buzzwords to discuss practical solutions: from proactive workforce planning to bridge the gap left by retiring seniors, to the urgent need for HR professionals to speak the language of business financials. Whether you are a TA leader or an HR generalist, this episode challenges you to stop "waiting and seeing" and start actively shaping the future of your organization.

5 Key Takeaways‍

AI Should Augment, Not Replace, the Human Touch
While AI is essential for handling operational "zombie tasks" and saving time, it lacks genuine feeling and empathy. The true value of HR professionals in 2026 lies in their emotional intelligence and ability to foster psychological safety, skills that AI cannot replicate.
Moving From a "Seat" to a "Voice" at the Table
Simply having a seat at the executive table is no longer enough; HR needs a voice. To achieve this, HR leaders must understand company financials, interpret data accurately, and be confident enough to push back and influence business strategy rather than just executing requests.
The Looming Seniority Gap
Companies are facing a demographic crisis with a wave of retiring senior leaders. A failure to invest in and train junior talent now will result in a severe shortage of qualified leaders in the near future, making workforce planning a critical strategic priority.
Proactivity Over Hesitation
A major impediment to HR's evolution is a tendency to "sit and wait" for clarity on new technologies. The speakers argue that HR must adopt a mindset of "jump in and do," experimenting with tools like AI to understand their benefits and risks firsthand.
Critical Thinking is the New Compliance
As reliance on AI grows for tasks like market research, human oversight remains mandatory. HR professionals must be skilled enough to challenge AI-generated assumptions and verify results to ensure accuracy and compliance, rather than taking algorithmic outputs for granted.

In case you want to just listen to the episode, here are the links:

The UnleashPeople Podcast - Season 2: Episode 1