The chief people officer of GCash Robert Conrad Gonzales joins this year’s 100 Most Influential HR Leaders from Southeast Asia, an annual awarding of top HR executives who have made exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and transformation in the HR industry. Recipients of this prestigious citation are selected based on social media influence, engagement, industry awards, community impact, thought leadership, and pioneering HR practices. It also considers the impact of HR initiatives on revenue growth and overall market influence.
Gonzales believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is meant to improve the productivity of their employees rather than replace them. Gonzales, who is the highest-ranking Human Resources (HR) officer of GCash, affirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to putting people first in the age of automation. GCash is the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and an innovative fintech company that has already received several recognitions as one of the best companies to work for.
“HR should champion automation and lead in adapting to technology, including AI, because our people need it, our employees rely on it,” said Gonzales. “If we do this right, our people will become more productive and serve our customers even better. Invest in people, champion leadership development, and embrace innovation. The future belongs to organizations that prioritize their people as their greatest asset.”
Recognized for his contributions to the HR landscape, Gonzales was awarded during the recently held Future Forward Philippines 2025, which was organized by The Economic Times, the second most widely read English language business daily after The Wall Street Journal.
Driving business transformation or becoming obsolete in the age of AI?
During the whole day of the event, Gonzales was in the panel discussion titled ‘The Great Debate of HR at a Crossroads: Driving Business Transformation or Becoming Obsolete in the Age of AI?’ He was joined by other HR icons—Cebu Pacific Air chief human resource officer Felix Dan Lopez, Globe Telecom Inc. chief human resource officer Renato Manuel Jiao, and ETHRWorld/ETEducation features editor Yasmin Taj, who served as the moderator.
Looking to the future, Gonzales sees artificial intelligence as a game-changer in transforming how organizations approach leadership development. “AI-powered talent identification and predictive analytics will revolutionize how we discover and grow high-potential leaders,” he said. “We’re also leaning into personalized, AI-driven learning paths that adapt to each employee’s growth trajectory because in a market that changes overnight, static development models just don’t cut it.”
GCash is already putting these innovations to work. “We’re expanding our use of AI-driven career development tools and enhancing our leadership programs with real-world business simulations,” Gonzales shared. “This enables us to gauge better readiness, drive engagement, and close skill gaps faster than ever.”
To ensure these efforts yield a measurable impact, GCash is tracking leadership transition rates, retention of high-potential talent, and post-transition business performance. Continuous feedback loops and engagement surveys are utilized to refine strategies and ensure succession pipelines remain future-ready.
Putting people first in an AI-powered workplace
Gonzales shared that GCash’s AI efforts stem from a deep commitment to employee well-being and operational excellence. He explained that AI doesn’t just enhance customer experience but also makes employees happier by improving their welfare.
“We have a strong commitment to keep our people happy and engaged,” Gonzales said. “Many of our AI innovations are driven by employee needs. For example, team members want faster and more accurate processing of benefits and allowances. That’s why we developed an AI-powered tool called AGA.”
AGA, which stands for Alagang GCash Assistant, is a Gen AI-powered tool that automates and streamlines employee benefits processing. From wellness allowances to flexible benefits processing, AGA enables faster, error-free transactions.
Gonzales leaves HR leaders with a pointed message: “HR is no longer a support function but rather a strategic driver of growth. Invest in people. Champion leadership development and embrace innovation in workforce planning. The organizations that do this will be the ones leading tomorrow.”