The AI Readiness Gap: Why Technical Training Isn't Enough and What HR Leaders Need to Know

AI transformation goes far beyond learning new tools - it's reshaping how decisions get made, how teams collaborate, how strategies develop, and how work flows through organizations. The scope of change is unprecedented, touching everything from daily workflows to fundamental business models.

The reality? While organizations invest heavily in AI technical training, many are discovering that the biggest barriers to successful adoption aren't about understanding the technology, they're about human adaptation. Leaders navigating uncertainty they've never faced, teams resistant to workflow changes, and cultures not designed for continuous experimentation.

Join Torch CEO, Heather Conklin and Head of AI Growth, Elise Smith for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what they're seeing on the ground with AI transformation, the surprises, the challenges, and the patterns emerging from organizations trying to figure this out in real time.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

• Real stories from the field: What Heather and Elise are actually seeing with companies attempting AI transformation, the unexpected barriers and breakthrough moments
• Why traditional leadership development approaches fall short: How HR needs to shift from skills-based training to building adaptive capacities for continuous change
• What AI-ready leadership capacities actually look like: The specific mindsets and capabilities that help leaders guide teams through continuous change and uncertainty
• How to position HR as a strategic enabler: Moving beyond "AI training" to becoming the function that solves the human adaptation challenge
• The questions everyone's asking: The conversations Heather and Elise are having with CHROs and talent leaders about where to start and what to prioritize

Why Join This Conversation:

• 70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, with AI as the catalyst (World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025)
• Frontline leaders are 3X more likely to be concerned about AI's impact than senior leaders (DDI Global Leadership Forecast 2025)
• Trust in managers has dropped from 46% to 29% during digital transformation periods (DDI Global Leadership Forecast 2025)

We're all figuring this out as we go, and what works is still taking shape but there are thoughtful insights emerging about what it takes to prepare people for this level of change. This conversation focuses on the human dimensions that often get overlooked in discussions about AI transformation.

Perfect for: HR executives, talent leaders, and L&D professionals who want unfiltered insights about what AI readiness actually looks like in practice, not just in theory.

You'll Come Away With:

• Fresh perspective on the human challenges of AI transformation
• Practical insights you can immediately apply to your situation
• Confidence that everyone is figuring this out together—and some proven approaches that are working
• Access to resources for continuing the conversation

Speakers: 

Heather Conklin 

Heather is the CEO of Torch. Heather has built her career building people-first systems that drive real business outcomes. With experience in product management, leadership development, and strategy, she knows what helps leaders grow—and what gets in their way. At Torch, she’s focused on making coaching a catalyst for change in organizations.

Elise Smith

Elise is the co-founder of Praxis Labs and now leads AI Growth at Torch. She’s spent her career building next-generation learning experiences that help leaders act with clarity and empathy. Her work pushes leadership development to be more inclusive, more grounded, and more effective.