AI is beginning to reshape how HR work gets done. From automating communication to streamlining complex workflows, new tools are helping teams move faster and manage growing demands. Some of the most meaningful applications are emerging in areas like leave, where coordination across systems, timelines, and stakeholders has traditionally been difficult. AI can reduce administrative burden, improve accuracy, and make information more accessible for both HR teams and employees. At the same time, leave often intersects with some of the most personal and high-stakes moments in an employee’s life. These are situations where clarity, judgment, and empathy still matter. In this session, Deborah Hanus, CEO and Co-founder of Sparrow, will explore how AI is changing HR operations through the lens of leave. She will share where automation is making a real difference, where it falls short, and what it takes to introduce these tools in a way that supports both efficiency and human connection.