Natalie Kroll: How AI Is Redefining HR’s Competitive Edge

By Natalie Kroll

When I first read Jack Altman’s book People Strategy, I found myself nodding along to nearly every page. His central message is both simple and profound: the way we manage people is one of the most vital, yet underleveraged, drivers of organizational success. For too long, HR has been anchored in outdated models, from cumbersome performance reviews to rigid workforce planning, that consume energy without contributing real value.

Altman’s critique of traditional performance reviews is particularly striking. He points out how they often become an administrative burden rather than a growth opportunity, citing Gallup data that shows poorly executed reviews can cost a company between $2.4 million and $35 million in lost hours per 10,000 employees annually. That’s not just inefficiency; it’s a competitive disadvantage.

But here’s the good news: Altman doesn’t just point out the problems. People Strategy paints a clear vision for the future of HR, one where people leaders embrace data, strategy, and intentionality in order to elevate their organizations. It’s about reclaiming HR as a driver of business performance, rather than a compliance function.

The AI Inflection Point for HR

Reading Altman’s book inspired me to ask a critical question: How do we take the spirit of People Strategy and make it real in today’s workplace?

The answer, I believe, lies in AI.

We are standing at a major inflection point in HR where AI is no longer just a tool for automating workflows, it’s becoming a partner, coach, and amplifier for both employees and HR leaders. Whether it’s a GPT-powered performance review coach, an onboarding assistant, or an AI-driven learning companion, these tools shift the way employees interact with their work and development.

And for people leaders, learning to engage with AI is becoming a competitive advantage. The leaders who embrace AI aren’t replacing HR’s human touch, they’re unlocking space for more strategic, human-centric work.

The Next Stage: From People Strategy to People Science

If People Strategy is about aligning talent processes with business outcomes, then the next evolution is what I call People Science.

So, what is People Science?

• Data-driven yet people-first. It’s the practice of using AI, behavioral insights, and analytics not to reduce employees to metrics, but to understand and support them more holistically.

• Proactive over reactive. Instead of waiting for attrition numbers or engagement survey dips, People Science leverages predictive analytics to see trends before they become problems.

• Scalable and personal. AI allows for customization at scale, career development plans that fit each person’s aspirations while aligning to organizational goals.

• Strategic culture building. By using insights from AI and modern people analytics, HR can focus on big-picture questions: How do we build resilience? How do we create environments where people thrive? How do we align human potential with company strategy?

In short, People Science is the operating system for HR. It’s where empathy meets precision, and where human decision-making is informed, not replaced, by intelligent systems.

Why This Shift Matters

Companies that cling to outdated HR traditions risk falling behind not just in efficiency, but in culture, retention, and innovation. Those that step into the world of People Science, on the other hand, will unlock:

• A workforce that feels prepared, supported, and heard.

• Leaders who spend less time on admin and more time coaching.

• Cultures where performance conversations become empowering instead of dreaded.

• And ultimately, organizations that know how to harness talent as their true differentiator.

Natalie Kroll Closing Thought

People Strategy gave us the blueprint for seeing HR as a core driver of business value. AI now gives us the tools to make that vision scalable, actionable, and real.

The leaders who embrace this evolution, from People Strategy to People Science, will not only modernize HR, but will redefine what it means to build companies where employees thrive, and organizations succeed.

The next frontier of HR isn’t just about strategy, it’s about science. And the time to start is now.

Step Into the Future of HR with People Science

The shift from People Strategy to People Science is already here. Natalie Kroll is leading this transformation, blending AI, data, and empathy to help organizations unlock their people’s full potential.

Connect with Natalie to explore how People Science can transform your workforce.