ZOONHR FORUM 2026

SESSION INFORMATION

1. 01

   Keynote

   From HR to HAiR

   Subtitle How AI Is Reshaping People, HR and Organizations of All Sizes

   AI is here, now what? What next-generation work needs from HR, leaders, employers and employees. As artificial intelligence rapidly accelerates across the region, the traditional playbook for talent management is being completely rewritten. This forward-thinking keynote session explores how AI is actively transforming work design, leadership dynamics, and organizational performance for businesses of every scale—from local SMEs to large-scale enterprises. Discover how to strategically navigate this shift, leverage automated tools to unlock your workforce's potential, and transition your people function into the future of corporate performance.

2. 02

   Panel Discussion 1

   The Lao Talent Landscape

   Labour Shortage, Talent War, Why Talent Stays, and What Drives Talent to Leave

   The Lao labor market is navigating an unprecedented structural shift. Driven by regional migration drawcards, macroeconomic pressures internally and externally, overcoming today's acute Labour Shortage and aggressive Talent War requires far more than traditional HR tactics. In this high-stakes discussion, leading economist join forces with top HR strategists to pull back the curtain on workforce realities. Step outside the traditional HR bubble to explore how broader economic trends dictate talent migration, discover why top performers choose to stay or exit, and learn how forward-thinking organizations are innovating with different sourcing models to organically build and secure their own sustainable talent pipelines.

3. 03

   Panel Discussion 2

   Workforce Retention & Role Redesign

   Tackling the Recruitment Crunch, Workplace Burnout, and Multi-Gen Dynamics

   When external talent becomes very challenging to recruit, the internal playbook must change: organizations must focus on retaining the talent they already have. This strategic panel discussion addresses how business leaders can combat the recruitment crunch by shifting focus inward. Discover how to actively mitigate workplace burnout through thoughtful role and task redesign, streamline operational workflows, and reduced generational friction in a multi-generational workforce. Learn how to transform internal friction into collaborative performance, ensuring your current team stays stable, balanced, and highly optimized for the future.

4. 04

   Masterclass

   Mindful Culture Execution

   Driving High Performance Without Employee Burnout

   As CEOs and leaders aggressively push for AI adoption to maximize operational efficiency, scaling tech-driven productivity can trigger an invisible wave of employee burnout. This foundational yet deep-dive masterclass is built specifically for you. You will walk away with a clear, fundamental understanding of what corporate culture actually is and how it drives day-to-day behavior. Moving past confusing jargon, this session provides practical, data-backed frameworks to help you balance advanced technology with intentional workforce wellness—allowing your organization to capture peak performance while keeping your top talent highly energized.

5. 05

   Deep Dive

   The Skills Laos Needs Next

   Official Launch of the Katalyst Partners Annual Skills Survey Results 2026

   Data is the ultimate weapon against market uncertainty, but skill demands are fundamentally dynamic. Moving past static metrics, this exclusive Deep Dive serves as the official launchpad for the Katalyst Partners Annual Skills Survey Results 2026. Step beyond the numbers as our Knowledge Partner highlights a critical modern reality: as AI-human teams are introduced and roles are inevitably redesigned, organizations are facing a continuous state of evolution. Discover why introducing new tech and changing job descriptions aren't just administrative updates—they are massive structural CHANGES. Learn why navigating this dynamic shifting landscape successfully requires a properly executed change management program to align mindsets, minimize friction, and build long-term operational resilience.

6. 06

   Case Study Showcase

   Two Case Studies: Breaking Bottlenecks

   Real-World Implementation of AI in the HR to HAiR Transformation

   Technology and workflow design are only valuable when they solve the exact problems slowing your business down. Moving past theoretical concepts, this double-header Case Study Showcase delivers a raw, operational look at corporate transformation in action. First, the CEO of VARI, and Co-founder of AI Action Lab delivers a 20-minute localized execution blueprint. Step directly into the realities of the Lao marketplace as he details how local organizations can structurally survive the disruption. Discover practical frameworks to build team resilience, optimize operational tasks under tight budgets, and successfully manage a localized workforce amidst the country's pressing economic constraints. Immediately following, the CEO of BUILK ONE GROUP takes the stage to share a 20-minute Thai case study. He demonstrates how to align technology with high-impact corporate bottlenecks, measure true ROI beyond reducing headcounts, and navigate the workflow shifts that occur when tech and human talents merge to drive the ultimate HR to HAiR transformation where it matters the most.

7. 07

   Fireside Chat

   AI vs. Culture

   Balancing Tech and Psychology for High Performance

   Every technology strategy ultimately succeeds or fails based on human behavior. Closing the main stage of ZoonHR FORUM 2026, this unscripted Fireside Chat brings the day's core themes into perfect equilibrium. We pair Khun Surat Photiprasat (Brightside People / A Cup of Culture) and Khun Patai Padungtin (Builk One Group) to debate the ultimate operational balance: tech-driven execution versus organizational psychology. Discover how to precisely implement AI and redesign workflows to break business bottlenecks without destroying employee alignment, trust, and well-being. Leaders will walk away with a clear blueprint on how to merge tech efficiency with a resilient corporate culture to achieve sustainable high performance.