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Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Amaan Hussain, Director of HR at The Acquisition Group, to explore how HR leaders can adopt AI without sacrificing the human connection that defines their organization. With over a decade of experience leading HR strategy in high-growth, direct-to-consumer environments, Amaan shares how his team balances efficiency, empathy, and scale in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
Amaan explains why his organization is intentionally cautious about where AI shows up and where it does not. He outlines a clear guardrail that guides every technology decision: AI can improve speed, consistency, and insight, but it should never replace the core human relationships that drive performance, trust, and differentiation. From recruiting and coaching to sales enablement, he shares how a hybrid model allows AI to augment work without eroding what makes the business successful.
Topics Discussed:
Protecting human connection as a core business and HR value
Being strategic, not reactive, with AI adoption
Where AI can improve efficiency without replacing judgment
Using AI for coaching, feedback, and skill development
Recruiting and engaging Gen Z for non-remote, high-touch roles
Adapting leadership styles to generational shifts
Creating guardrails for HR technology decisions
Balancing productivity gains with long-term culture and trust
If you are an HR leader, people strategist, or executive navigating AI adoption while trying to preserve culture, credibility, and human connection, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective on how to do both well.
Additional Resources:
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Amaan Hussain, Director of HR at The Acquisition Group, to explore how HR leaders can adopt AI without sacrificing the human connection that defines their organization. With over a decade of experience leading HR strategy in high-growth, direct-to-consumer environments, Amaan shares how his team balances efficiency, empathy, and scale in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
Amaan explains why his organization is intentionally cautious about where AI shows up and where it does not. He outlines a clear guardrail that guides every technology decision: AI can improve speed, consistency, and insight, but it should never replace the core human relationships that drive performance, trust, and differentiation. From recruiting and coaching to sales enablement, he shares how a hybrid model allows AI to augment work without eroding what makes the business successful.
Topics Discussed:
Protecting human connection as a core business and HR value
Being strategic, not reactive, with AI adoption
Where AI can improve efficiency without replacing judgment
Using AI for coaching, feedback, and skill development
Recruiting and engaging Gen Z for non-remote, high-touch roles
Adapting leadership styles to generational shifts
Creating guardrails for HR technology decisions
Balancing productivity gains with long-term culture and trust
If you are an HR leader, people strategist, or executive navigating AI adoption while trying to preserve culture, credibility, and human connection, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective on how to do both well.
Additional Resources:
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Amaan Hussain, Director of HR at The Acquisition Group, to explore how HR leaders can adopt AI without sacrificing the human connection that defines their organization. With over a decade of experience leading HR strategy in high-growth, direct-to-consumer environments, Amaan shares how his team balances efficiency, empathy, and scale in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
Amaan explains why his organization is intentionally cautious about where AI shows up and where it does not. He outlines a clear guardrail that guides every technology decision: AI can improve speed, consistency, and insight, but it should never replace the core human relationships that drive performance, trust, and differentiation. From recruiting and coaching to sales enablement, he shares how a hybrid model allows AI to augment work without eroding what makes the business successful.
Topics Discussed:
Protecting human connection as a core business and HR value
Being strategic, not reactive, with AI adoption
Where AI can improve efficiency without replacing judgment
Using AI for coaching, feedback, and skill development
Recruiting and engaging Gen Z for non-remote, high-touch roles
Adapting leadership styles to generational shifts
Creating guardrails for HR technology decisions
Balancing productivity gains with long-term culture and trust
If you are an HR leader, people strategist, or executive navigating AI adoption while trying to preserve culture, credibility, and human connection, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective on how to do both well.
Additional Resources:
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About the guest
About the guest
Amaan Hussain
Amaan Hussain is a certified CPHR and HR leader with over 13 years of experience across high-growth organizations. He currently leads HR at The Acquisition Group, a national marketing and sales company with more than 600 employees across Canada. Amaan specializes in building scalable people strategies grounded in performance, data, and human connection, with a strong focus on leadership development, employee experience, and sustainable growth.
Amaan Hussain is a certified CPHR and HR leader with over 13 years of experience across high-growth organizations. He currently leads HR at The Acquisition Group, a national marketing and sales company with more than 600 employees across Canada. Amaan specializes in building scalable people strategies grounded in performance, data, and human connection, with a strong focus on leadership development, employee experience, and sustainable growth.
Amaan Hussain is a certified CPHR and HR leader with over 13 years of experience across high-growth organizations. He currently leads HR at The Acquisition Group, a national marketing and sales company with more than 600 employees across Canada. Amaan specializes in building scalable people strategies grounded in performance, data, and human connection, with a strong focus on leadership development, employee experience, and sustainable growth.
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The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
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The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.