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The organisational transformation leader encourages HR to move beyond perfection and focus on agile, human-centric AI that strengthens workforce strategy and delivers measurable business impact.
As organisations race to keep pace with technological disruption, AI is no longer a future-facing concept — it is fast becoming embedded in the very mechanics of workforce strategy. For Zahina Bibi (pictured above), Head of Organisational Transformation, Standard Chartered Bank, the real impact of AI lies not in hype, but in how effectively it enables leaders to plan, deploy, and evolve talent at scale.
A seasoned data strategy and transformation expert with two decades of experience across complex global matrix organisations, Zahina has architected and embedded large-scale change initiatives to deliver scalable data strategies, streamline decision-making and drive operational excellence in complex regulated multinationals. Her work includes steering large scale digital transformations – improving performance, governance and data driven insights for leadership teams worldwide. Known for her pragmatic approach, she focuses on translating strategy into measurable outcomes with clarity and impact.
Organisationally, she sees AI as a true game changer in strategic workforce planning — enabling the identification and deployment of the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, while integrating both internal transformation priorities and external market realities. Personally, she acknowledges the productivity uplift and ability to increase her speed of output.
Ahead of her session at with HRO's #InteracTechAsia2026 conference, Zahina speaks with Mary Ann Bundukin to share her insights on embedding AI into workforce strategy, leading with agility through rapid transformation, and ensuring technology remains deeply human-centric.
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?
I guess it depends on how we rate "meaningful change", but organisationally, it must be around how we embed AI into strategic workforce planning technology and processes.
In my own experience, the reality for most cost owners working through detailed workforce plans — especially in large organisations — can feel intimidating and, in practical terms, impossible to implement at scale, despite pockets of greatness. AI in strategic workforce planning solutioning is a game changer, when used effectively to enable the identification and deployment of the right skills, in the right place, at the right time, whilst bringing in external market and internal transformation lenses.
If you asked me personally? It's the productivity uplift options and the ability to increase my speed of output, especially with powerpoint!
Q Leading through rapid transformation isn’t easy. What mindset shift has helped you lead teams more effectively through change?
Great question – progress over perfection!
As a classic "Type A" at work and home, training myself to find the best path forward right now vs. the best ever path forward has been a game changer, especially when working in a complex multinational where the landscape and context we operate in can change almost daily or weekly.
Yesterday’s priorities and information shift for today and perfect plans fall over, leading to disappointment, stress, and frustration after months of work. Our ability to be agile and move with the pace of the organisation enables us to be successful and whilst the product we deliver isn’t perfect, if it’s good enough to keep improving and it serves the critical needs; then it’s the right product.
Q We often talk about becoming more tech-savvy while staying human-centric. What's one way you personally try and maintain that balance?
"I don’t know why we would ever develop any tech that isn’t human centric — for me, the two go hand in hand. User experience is a critical element of any technology, platform, or product. Humans leverage technology to make life simpler so I don’t believe they should ever contradict each other."
I do think we see a lot of tech launched that isn’t necessarily designed with users in mind and we can see that in action – for example, I tried to switch my music streaming platform recently and whilst initial interfaces looked very similar to what I was using, the new platform was clearly not designed with UX lens past the first similar shiny veneer.
As soon as I started interacting and trying to find my favourite songs and podcasts, I quickly grew frustrated at how much harder it was. I switched back. That's what we see anyone do when tech isn’t serving human needs. In HR, this is something we must be so aware of. The Sunday-to-Monday frustration is real for consumers of HR tech, and I just wish it was as easy as switching a subscription!
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?
If people leave with the understanding that resilience and agility can be learned — and are not tools we naturally have, that would be a great outcome.
We need to be the change we want to see in the organisation because that positive response to change and transformation can genuinely be infectious — and that is exactly why it is so impactful.
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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