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The key, she says, is to use AI to brainstorm, pressure-test ideas, and get to sharper clarity faster than one would on their own - while ensuring the human still brings the initial point of view.
AI has become a quiet but constant presence in the day-to-day work of Ramya Balakrishnan (pictured above), Vice President, Global Talent & Development, Coty – not as a replacement for people, but as an extra “0.5 headcount” that helps her think better.
She uses it as a thought partner: to brainstorm, pressure-test ideas, and get sharper clarity faster than she could alone. Crucially, she always starts with putting her own point of view on the table, with AI assisting to expand, challenge, and refine it.
That discipline changes how she shows up as a leader – entering conversations more prepared, structured, and clearer in her thinking, which in turn drives stronger alignment, faster decisions, and better outcomes across teams.
With over 15 years of experience across North America and Asia, including leadership roles at Unilever, Sun Life, GE, Maxis, and Dell, Ramya brings a global perspective on how organisations translate strategy into capability. She is also an early advocate for the responsible use of AI in HR and is particularly interested in how emerging technologies are reshaping leadership, capability building, and the future of work.
Ahead of her session at #InteracTechAsia2026, she sits down with Mary Ann Bundukin to discuss how leaders can leverage AI to sharpen one's thinking, lead through ambiguity, and stay human-centric while driving faster, better people and business outcomes.
Q As technology becomes more embedded in our daily lives, what’s one way you have seen AI or digital tools meaningfully improve people outcomes?
For me, AI feels like having an extra 0.5 headcount by my side.
I use it to think better. It helps me brainstorm, pressure-test ideas, and get to sharper clarity much faster than I would on my own. The key is I still bring the initial point of view. AI helps me expand it, challenge it, and refine it.
That changes how I show up as a leader. I come into conversations more prepared, more structured, and clearer in my thinking. Better clarity at the top leads to stronger alignment, faster decisions, and better outcomes across teams.
Q Leading through rapid transformation isn’t easy. What mindset shift has helped you lead teams more effectively through change?
The biggest shift has been accepting that clarity will always lag change. If you wait for everything to make sense before acting, you will move too slowly. So, I anchor on a few non-negotiables.
Momentum over perfection. I’d rather move at 80% and course correct than wait for a perfect plan that’s outdated the moment it’s ready.
And communication has to be constant. In a fast-moving environment, gaps in communication create more damage than imperfect decisions. Teams don’t need certainty as much as they need direction and movement.
"Confidence comes from progress, not from having all the answers."
Q We often talk about becoming more tech savvy while staying human centric. What's one way you personally try and maintain that balance?
It comes down to a simple rule: first think, then AI. I’m very deliberate about not outsourcing thinking. I start with a point of view, even if it’s rough, and then use AI to expand, challenge, and refine it.
AI is great at removing repetition and getting you to a starting point faster. But the judgment, context, and final decisions have to stay human. If you skip that first step, everything starts to sound the same and feel disconnected. So the balance is straightforward. Use AI to sharpen your thinking, not replace it.
Q As a speaker at InteracTech Asia 2026, what is the #1 call to action you hope for attendees to take away from your session?
The pace of change is faster than you can fully comprehend, and I don’t see a point anytime soon where any of us will feel like we fully understand what’s happening. So waiting is not a strategy. My ask is – Use AI in your own work first. Don’t delegate it or wait for the perfect use case.
Start with what you’re already doing and use it to think, structure, and challenge your ideas. And be comfortable failing. You have to try things, move quickly, and learn as you go. This is something you can only build by doing.
Human Resources Online is proud to host its first edition of InteracTech Asia 2026 – an exclusive event that brings together HR leaders, technologists, and business strategists to reimagine how people and machines can thrive together. Taking place on 20 May in Singapore, find out more about the event here.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Mary Ann Bundukin. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any digital transformation talent solutions and products, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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