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Ep. 9 – Why Human Change Is the Hardest Part of the AI Transformation – with Ryan Simmons

Ep. 9 – Why Human Change Is the Hardest Part of the AI Transformation – with Ryan Simmons

AI can give you answers instantly. But what if your people lose the ability to question them?

Host James Weier speaks to Ryan Simmons, Vice President of Human Resources at Colorado College, about why AI transformation is less about technology and more about how work is designed.

As organizations rush to automate tasks and increase productivity, a deeper risk emerges: the erosion of critical thinking, judgment, and capability development. Ryan shares how AI is reshaping skill development, why removing “learning steps” weakens future expertise, and how HR leaders can redesign work so automation strengthens human decision-making, instead of replacing it.

From higher education to enterprise environments, this conversation reframes AI adoption as a human systems challenge with long-term implications for workforce capability.

You’ll learn:
1. Why faster output from AI can weaken critical thinking over time
2. How removing early-career tasks impacts long-term skill development
3. Why AI forces leaders to redesign roles, not just optimize tasks
4. Why AI should be treated as a tool instead of a source of truth
5. How to design workflows that strengthen judgment, not replace it

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Ryan Simmons is open to connecting about AI, work design, and HR leadership.
Reach out to him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-l-simmons/

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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community-focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/

About

In conversations with decision-makers and thought leaders from people, organization, and new ways of work, we explore the topics shaping HR today and defining it for tomorrow, including:

  • How employer branding works and what matters beyond campaigns
  • How talent can be attracted, developed, and retained over the long term
  • What defines a healthy organizational culture and how it is translated into everyday practice
  • How organizations can build resilience and navigate pressure and stress responsibly

The podcast is driven by personal insights, real-world experience, and conversations with leading voices in the HR space - for those who don’t just work in HR, but are actively in shaping its future.

Hosted by

James Weier, Director US at EGYM Wellpass