Construction HR and office professionals wear countless hats. They recruit talent in an increasingly competitive labor market, manage compliance, oversee payroll and benefits, support company culture, navigate ever-changing regulations, and help develop tomorrow’s workforce. Today, another responsibility has been added to that list: understanding technology and artificial intelligence.
The rapid evolution of AI and digital tools is changing nearly every aspect of business operations. While many organizations have invested heavily in field technology, estimating software, and project management systems, HR departments and office staff are increasingly becoming the hub where technology, people, compliance, and culture intersect.
The companies that thrive over the next decade won’t simply adopt new technology, they’ll empower their teams to understand it, evaluate it, and use it strategically.
ABC Wisconsin recognizes the need for more technology training. This year’s HR+ Conference has added a full technology track, with a wide range of topics covering HR and business technology essentials.
Sessions include:
1. AI 101 in Construction
Lou Perez and Nigel Coelho, Lumber
Learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and discover practical ways AI is already helping construction companies improve efficiency and streamline everyday work.
2. What High-Performing HR Teams Do Differently
Carrie Gardenhire and Kristen Wright, Arcoro
Explore insights from the 2026 State of Construction HR Survey to learn how top-performing contractors leverage technology and proven strategies to strengthen HR operations and drive business growth.
3. A Stronger Foundation: Aligning HR Technology, Service and Support
Amanda Jueneman, HCM Unlocked
Discover how to identify and solve common HR technology challenges by building a more connected, efficient, and effective HCM ecosystem for your construction business.
4. IT Security in Construction
Kevin Arkin, Adesys IT Specialists
Gain practical strategies to protect your company from today’s most common cybersecurity threats while keeping projects and operations running smoothly.
5. AI Is Changing Your Workplace: Managing Risk Through People, Policy, and Culture
Chris Tiffany, Sprinter Business Solutions
Learn how HR can develop policies, strengthen workplace culture, and responsibly manage the opportunities and risks created by AI and an increasingly digital workforce.
6. Payroll Problems Start in the Field: Closing Construction’s Data Gaps
Eric Christensen, IVO Systems
See how improving field-to-office data collection can reduce payroll errors, strengthen job costing, and create more efficient business processes.
7. Bots, Agents, and Digital Coworkers: What’s Actually Real
Josh Thomas, Earthling Interactive
Cut through the AI hype by learning the real differences between chatbots, automations, and AI agents—and where these tools can deliver measurable value for your business.
Technology and AI aren’t replacing the human side of HR, they’re elevating it.
When repetitive administrative work becomes automated, HR professionals gain more time to recruit top talent, develop leaders, improve employee engagement, strengthen company culture, and support business strategy.
But that transformation only happens when HR teams understand the technology they’re being asked to implement.
Investing in technology and AI education isn’t simply professional development anymore. It’s becoming a competitive advantage. Organizations that equip their HR professionals with the knowledge to evaluate emerging technologies, improve data quality, strengthen cybersecurity, and thoughtfully implement AI will be better positioned to attract talent, improve efficiency, reduce risk, and grow their businesses.
As construction continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future belongs to HR teams that are ready to lead it.
The HR+ Conference includes tracks for technology, human resources, marketing, payroll, accounting and more. Make plans to send your team to Wisconsin Dells on October 1-2, to get industry leading training. See all of the sessions and register here.
