Future Of Work: Developing junior talent in the age of AI

NEW EVENT

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
📍 Venue: Level 15/51 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD
🥐 Catering: Light breakfast and drinks provided


As AI continues to reshape the way we work, organisations are facing a critical question: if junior tasks are increasingly automated, how do we continue to develop the next generation of talent?

This roundtable discussion will bring together HR professionals to explore the future of work for Gen Z, the impact AI is likely to have on entry-level roles, and what organisations can do now to ensure younger workers still have the opportunity to learn, contribute and grow. The discussion will be led by Frances Valintine CNZM, one of New Zealand’s most recognised voices in education, technology and future skills. As the founder and Chair of The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab, Frances has spent her career helping leaders, educators and organisations prepare for digital transformation, emerging technologies and the changing nature of work.

This session will look beyond AI adoption and focus on the bigger workforce challenge: how employers can balance automation with meaningful career pathways, practical learning opportunities and the human skills Gen Z will need to succeed in an AI-shaped workplace.

You will learn:
• How AI may change entry-level roles and the early-career experience for Gen Z workers
• What organisations risk losing if junior work is automated without a talent development strategy
• How HR teams can help redesign early-career pathways in an AI-enabled workplace
• Practical ways to grow younger workers when traditional learning-by-doing opportunities are reduced
• How managers can support Gen Z employees to build confidence, capability and future-ready skills
• How to balance automation, productivity and long-term workforce development