On February 13, 2025, COTRUGLI hosted the exclusive event “ART OF HR for Future of Work”, bringing together leading HR professionals and company executives from Croatia to discuss the future of work. The event took place at Lido Restaurant, providing an inspiring atmosphere with a view of Jarun—ideal for open discussions and networking among participants.
In a dynamic setting filled with thought-provoking discussions and inspiring presentations, key leaders explored how technological advancements—including AI, robotics, and blockchain—are shaping the world of human resources.
The conversation started with an analysis of global trends. While China and the US are already rapidly integrating artificial intelligence and automation into HR processes, Europe, including Croatia, is looking for optimal ways to adapt and remain competitive. The key question was: How can we align advanced technologies with a human-centric approach to employees?
One of the keynote speakers, Mario Brčić, PhD, CTO of HAI5, shared a vision of the future where artificial intelligence does not replace people but frees them from repetitive tasks.
“Imagine a world where lawyers truly think like lawyers, strategists plan strategically, and innovators focus on innovation—while AI takes care of administrative processes. That is our goal,” Brčić emphasized.
HAI5
But artificial intelligence is more than just technology—it is a key driver of business success. COTRUGLI CoLab, which gathers 2,700 members, including COTRUGLI alumni and global leaders, does not just talk about the future but actively shapes it. Through the HAI5 project, providing AI consulting, education, and strategic guidance, CoLab helps organizations unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence, transforming complexity into clarity and ambition into action.
HAI5 was born from a simple yet radical idea: What if artificial intelligence could free people to focus on what makes them uniquely human? Instead of reinventing the wheel, HAI5 integrates leading artificial intelligence models into a simple system tailored to real business challenges.
“AI success is not about having the most powerful model but an AI system that can be easily adopted,” Brčić explained. “HAI5 is designed to enable seamless AI integration into business processes, without complex interfaces or steep learning curves.”
Key challenges of the AI revolution
The COTRUGLI community also addressed the key challenges of the AI revolution:
- Reduced technology budgets with increased expectations – Every AI investment must prove its value.
- The war for talent: Build, buy, or partner? The artificial intelligence boom has created a huge demand for talent, but the solution is not just about hiring engineers—it’s about efficient artificial intelligence solutions.
- Measuring ROI in the AI era – Traditional KPIs are no longer sufficient to assess the true impact of artificial intelligence.
The ultimate goal of HAI5 is to create an AI system that acts as a natural extension of the team—integrating with tools, automating workflows, and enabling simple, intuitive interactions through conversations.
“Imagine an AI agent that knows your preferences and automatically books your flight and accommodation—that’s time returned to people, not technology,” Brčić noted.
Tadej Slapnik, CEO of COTRUGLI Business School, highlighted the importance of Industry 5.0 in the context of the future of work:
“Industry 5.0 is not just about continuing digitalization and automation; it represents bringing humans back to the center of business and production processes. The goal is to boost productivity through AI and robotics and ensure that technology serves people, creating sustainable and humane working conditions. That is the real power of digital transformation.”
This event reaffirmed the importance of continuous dialogue and shared learning in the era of digital transformation, where adapting to new trends is key to business success. COTRUGLI Business School continues to lead initiatives that contribute to the development of the HR profession, providing a platform for education and discussions on the most critical topics shaping the future of work.
“The AI revolution is already here. Will you be a leader or a follower?” Brčić concluded.
Join CoLab and be part of the future of AI.
