Odesa HR HUB

20/ 08/ 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way organisations work with people — from recruitment and onboarding to learning, HR analytics and strategic talent management. For HR professionals, the question is no longer whether to use AI, but rather how to integrate it into everyday processes in a way that frees up time from routine tasks, strengthens HR’s strategic role and, at the same time, preserves a human-centred approach. On 20 August, the Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association held an EBA Odesa HR Committee meeting dedicated to “HR 5.0: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming the HR Profession — From Operational Work to Strategic Leadership.” The session featured Maryna Stiahailo, Chartered FCIPD, international HR leader and HR digital transformation expert, with Nadiia Savchenko, Head of EBA Odesa HR Committee and Founder of HR Agency Key People, as moderator. The meeting took place at the Akkerman Solutions Ukraine office. At the beginning of the event, Thomas Sillessen, Head of the company, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of professional dialogue around technological changes that are already affecting businesses and teams today. During the meeting, participants discussed how AI is already transforming key HR processes — recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, HR analytics and HR documentation. Particular attention was paid to the practical use of tools such as ChatGPT, Custom GPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini. Maryna Stiahailo presented practical cases of AI use in everyday HR work. In particular, participants explored the analysis of exit interviews, automation of Performance Review preparation, the creation of internal FAQ bots, working with HR documentation, as well as the use of AI in recruitment, onboarding and learning. A separate part of the meeting focused on how AI is changing the role of HR professionals themselves. The discussion highlighted the shift from performing a large number of routine operations towards a more strategic role, where technology takes over part of repetitive tasks and HR professionals can focus more on working with people, talent development, corporate culture and strategic decision-making. “Artificial intelligence is already being used in interactions with employees, which is why it is important for the HR community not simply to follow these changes, but to discuss them professionally. Our task is not to lose our human-centred approach amid automation, while also understanding what new competencies and roles are becoming essential for modern HR,” said Nadiia Savchenko, moderator of the meeting. An important part of the discussion focused on HR analytics and the strategic use of AI. Participants explored the transition from reactive to proactive HR — including the identification of early signs of burnout, demotivation or employee turnover risks. At the same time, the discussion covered ethical considerations, personal data protection and the importance of human oversight when making HR-related decisions. Maryna Stiahailo also highlighted AI agents — the next stage in the development of AI technologies, where AI can not only respond to an individual request but independently perform a sequence of actions to achieve a specific goal. For HR, this opens up opportunities for further automation of recruitment, onboarding, employee queries and administrative processes. “AI does not take away HR’s role — it changes what HR spends its time on. The more routine operations we can delegate to technology, the more opportunities we have to focus on what truly requires human expertise: building trust, developing people, making complex decisions and strategic leadership,” emphasised Maryna Stiahailo, the event’s speaker. One of the key conclusions of the meeting was that HR 5.0 is not about replacing people with technology. Artificial intelligence can take over routine tasks and help HR teams work faster and more efficiently. At the same time, people remain responsible for decisions that affect employees, corporate culture and team development. The meeting provided a platform for an open exchange of experience among Odesa’s HR community. Participants not only explored specific AI tools and practical cases, but also discussed the broader question of how the HR profession is changing and what competencies professionals will need in the near future. The Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association would like to thank Akkerman Solutions Ukraine for hosting the meeting and providing a space for the HR community, and Thomas Sillessen for his welcome remarks and support of professional dialogue. Thank you to Maryna Stiahailo, Nadiia Savchenko and all participants for the insightful discussion, practical cases and open exchange of experience — and to Akkerman Solutions Ukraine for the warm hospitality!

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On 20 August, the Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association held an EBA Odesa HR Committee meeting dedicated to “HR 5.0: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming the HR Profession — From Operational Work to Strategic Leadership.” The session featured Maryna Stiahailo, Chartered FCIPD, international HR leader and HR digital transformation expert, with Nadiia Savchenko, Head of EBA Odesa HR Committee and Founder of HR Agency Key People, as moderator.

The meeting took place at the Akkerman Solutions Ukraine office. At the beginning of the event, Thomas Sillessen, Head of the company, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of professional dialogue around technological changes that are already affecting businesses and teams today.

During the meeting, participants discussed how AI is already transforming key HR processes — recruitment, onboarding, learning and development, HR analytics and HR documentation. Particular attention was paid to the practical use of tools such as ChatGPT, Custom GPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini.

Maryna Stiahailo presented practical cases of AI use in everyday HR work. In particular, participants explored the analysis of exit interviews, automation of Performance Review preparation, the creation of internal FAQ bots, working with HR documentation, as well as the use of AI in recruitment, onboarding and learning.

A separate part of the meeting focused on how AI is changing the role of HR professionals themselves. The discussion highlighted the shift from performing a large number of routine operations towards a more strategic role, where technology takes over part of repetitive tasks and HR professionals can focus more on working with people, talent development, corporate culture and strategic decision-making.

“Artificial intelligence is already being used in interactions with employees, which is why it is important for the HR community not simply to follow these changes, but to discuss them professionally. Our task is not to lose our human-centred approach amid automation, while also understanding what new competencies and roles are becoming essential for modern HR,” said Nadiia Savchenko, moderator of the meeting.

An important part of the discussion focused on HR analytics and the strategic use of AI. Participants explored the transition from reactive to proactive HR — including the identification of early signs of burnout, demotivation or employee turnover risks. At the same time, the discussion covered ethical considerations, personal data protection and the importance of human oversight when making HR-related decisions.

Maryna Stiahailo also highlighted AI agents — the next stage in the development of AI technologies, where AI can not only respond to an individual request but independently perform a sequence of actions to achieve a specific goal. For HR, this opens up opportunities for further automation of recruitment, onboarding, employee queries and administrative processes.

“AI does not take away HR’s role — it changes what HR spends its time on. The more routine operations we can delegate to technology, the more opportunities we have to focus on what truly requires human expertise: building trust, developing people, making complex decisions and strategic leadership,” emphasised Maryna Stiahailo, the event’s speaker.

One of the key conclusions of the meeting was that HR 5.0 is not about replacing people with technology. Artificial intelligence can take over routine tasks and help HR teams work faster and more efficiently. At the same time, people remain responsible for decisions that affect employees, corporate culture and team development.

The meeting provided a platform for an open exchange of experience among Odesa’s HR community. Participants not only explored specific AI tools and practical cases, but also discussed the broader question of how the HR profession is changing and what competencies professionals will need in the near future.

The Southern Ukrainian Office of the European Business Association would like to thank Akkerman Solutions Ukraine for hosting the meeting and providing a space for the HR community, and Thomas Sillessen for his welcome remarks and support of professional dialogue.

Thank you to Maryna Stiahailo, Nadiia Savchenko and all participants for the insightful discussion, practical cases and open exchange of experience — and to Akkerman Solutions Ukraine for the warm hospitality!