UNLEASH World is returning to the City of Lights for another HR extravaganza.

This will be my fourth UNLEASH event and second in Paris, and while the bar is of course very high I believe this year’s UNLEASH World will top anything I’ve seen so far.

A huge part of that is down to the fantastic behind-the-scenes work by the whole UNLEASH crew to bring the HR community another incredible show.

As you’d expect, this year’s speaker line-up is packed with HR leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Danone, AXA, bp, and IKEA, as well as stellar keynotes from Josh Bersin, Scott Galloway, Amy Coleman and Daniel Susskind.

We’ve also got a very special, somewhat different keynote speaker this year, which you can read more about below.

There’s a reason why UNLEASH World is Where the HR World Meets – why would you be anywhere else 20-22 October?

Don’t worry, there’s still time to get your pass and join us in Paris.

I’m Not Here to Take Your Job: Where Humanoids and AI Merge

AI will be one of the biggest talking points at UNLEASH World this year, but we’ve got something very special lined up – our very first humanoid speaker!

Ameca, the world’s most advanced humanoid from Engineered Arts, will be having a conversation with Insight222’s David Green on the Main Stage.

AI is throwing up a host of questions for the world of work – will AI be our competitor, colleague, or co-creator? 

How should we prepare for a world where intelligence is no longer exclusively human? And what happens when machines not only understand our language but our values?

This promises to be a fascinating session exploring how AI will impact the future of work, encompassing emotion, ethics, and collaboration between humans and machines.

So make sure you’re part of UNLEASH history on 21 October at 9:40am!

The CEO-CHRO Alliance: Turning People Strategy into Impact at Danone

Danone is behind some of the world’s most recognizable health, nutrition and water brands, such as Alpro, Volvic, Activia, evian, and Aptamil.

But it’s also home to a special alliance between CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique and Chief Human Resources, Research, Innovation, Quality & Food Safety Officer, Isabelle Esser.

The pair will be taking the stage at UNLEASH World 2025 to discuss how their partnership drives strategy at the food and beverage giant,  reimagining the role of HR as a strategic driver of sustainable growth.

Together, they’ll share how Danone is leveraging its People Strategy to navigate complexity and deliver impact through pioneering HR actions.

Our Chief Reporter, Allie Nawrat, got a sneak peek ahead of this session – check out her exclusive interview with de Saint-Affrique and Esser for a taste of what’s to come in Paris.

The Missing Middle: Rebuilding Manager Confidence and Capability in a Changing World

With the world of work changing at a rapid pace – and continuing to do so going forward – managers are in the middle of it all, expected to lead through the disruption of AI, economic uncertainty and new business priorities.

But do they have the skills, support from leadership and trust from workers to succeed?

AXA CHRO, Sandrine Girszyn, will be on stage exploring how the French banking giant is reimagining manager support and development, from emotional intelligence and coaching culture to AI fluency and inclusive leadership.

Girszyn will also be examining a practical case study of how one global HR team built a resilient, community-based approach to empowering managers with the tools, space and support they need to thrive.

Want to know how managers can thrive in the future of work? Join us on 22 October to find out!

Why Tomorrow’s CHRO Will Be the CTO As Well

One of the standout trends of 2025 for HR has been the ever-closer relationship with technology departments, with some notable organizations – such as pharma giant Moderna – integrating the two into a single business unit.

But what does this mean for the future of the CHRO and CTO roles?

At UNLEASH World this year, Cardinal Group CPO Peter Lynch will be exploring the onward evolution of the HR leader as tech and talent converges, increasingly driven by AI.

In his trademark style, Lynch will unpack why the future CHRO is also a technology leader, responsible for human capital, digital strategy, and AI enablement across the enterprise.

A must-see session for HR leaders who want a glimpse into their role in the future of work.

Reimagining Leadership: Bold Ideas for the Workforce of Tomorrow

UNLEASH World 2025 begins with a bang, as Microsoft CHRO, Amy Coleman, takes the stage for an unmissable opening keynote.

Having taken on the role in March, 25 years after first joining the company, Coleman has led Microsoft’s workforce through global upheaval and emerged with a blueprint for what modern people leadership can be. 

Coleman will share how HR can lead the business agenda by combining courageous leadership with next-generation tools like AI to drive both workforce transformation and business growth. 

This is HR as it should be: Agile, strategic, and central to reinvention. A perfect way to kick off your UNLEASH World 2025 experience.