GCash: champions human-centered AI in the workplace

Robert Conrad Gonzales, the Chief People Officer of GCash, has been named one of this year’s 100 Most Influential HR Leaders in Southeast Asia. This annual recognition honors top HR executives who have made significant contributions to leadership, innovation, and transformation in the HR industry.

Recipients of this prestigious citation are chosen based on their social media influence, engagement levels, industry awards, community impact, thought leadership, and innovative HR practices. Additionally, the impact of HR initiatives on revenue growth and overall market influence is also considered.

Gonzales believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is meant to enhance employee productivity rather than replace them. As the highest-ranking Human Resources (HR) officer at GCash, Gonzales emphasizes the company’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing people in the era of automation. GCash is the leading finance app in the Philippines and the largest cashless ecosystem, recognized as an innovative fintech company that has received several accolades for being 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.”

Gonzales was recognized for his contributions to the HR landscape when he received an award during the recently held Future Forward Philippines 2025, 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, including Cebu Pacific Air’s Chief Human Resource Officer, Felix Dan Lopez; Globe Telecom Inc.’s Chief Human Resource Officer, Renato Manuel Jiao; and Yasmin Taj, features editor of ETHRWorld/ETEducation, 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.”

GCash is measuring the effectiveness of its leadership transitions by tracking rates of leadership changes, the retention of high-potential talent, and the business performance following these transitions. To refine its strategies and ensure succession pipelines are prepared for the future, continuous feedback loops and engagement surveys are employed.

Putting people first in an AI-powered workplace

Gonzales stated that GCash’s AI initiatives originate from a strong commitment to both employee well-being and operational excellence. He noted that AI not only enhances customer experience but also contributes to employee happiness 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 the processing of employee benefits. From wellness allowances to flexible benefits processing, AGA enables faster and 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.”

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.