Work today is fundamentally different. At Dublin Tech Summit 2025, thought leaders revealed that paychecks and titles no longer drive employee motivation. Instead, growth, purpose, and making a meaningful impact have become the new currency of engagement.
Christine Heckart, CEO of Xapa World, explained how understanding the evolving “why” of work is critical for retention and performance. Drawing on Kaufman’s sailboat model, she highlighted that stability (self-esteem, safety, connection) and growth (purpose, belonging, forward momentum) together unlock creativity and resilience. Xapa’s gamified approach to leadership training develops real-world skills like emotional intelligence and problem-solving – key capabilities traditional training often misses.
Work is also changing thanks to AI, but not in the way many expect. AI is accelerating human growth and capability far beyond just automating tasks. However, companies must first get their data strategy right. Experts from Databricks, Microsoft, ServiceNow, and Concentric AI emphasized that AI’s effectiveness depends on high-quality, governed, and accessible data. Treating AI like a trusted “user” with controlled access enables companies to harness automation safely and drive measurable impact. Starting with low-risk projects and building unified platforms helps organizations scale AI smartly while navigating compliance, especially with regulations like the EU AI Act.
A major cultural shift comes through agentic AI – intelligent systems that anticipate leaders’ needs, surface insights proactively, and reduce repetitive administrative work. Aaron Gibson of Hurree shared how companies using agentic AI see a 75% faster access to data and improved team engagement and creativity. This shift moves work from “busywork” to true impact, enabling teams to focus on meaningful contributions without burnout.
Key takeaways for leaders shaping the future of work:
- Motivating employees today means unlocking growth, purpose, and belonging – beyond just pay or titles.
- Leadership skills like emotional intelligence can be developed through innovative, gamified learning platforms.
- AI’s potential lies in augmenting human capabilities, anchored by strong data governance and strategic scaling.
- Treat AI as a trusted system with controlled data access to minimize risk and maximize value.
- Agentic AI transforms company culture by eliminating admin friction and enabling faster, smarter decision-making.
To dive deeper into these transformational insights, watch the full Dublin Tech Summit 2025 sessions here: DTS25 On-Demand.
Buy your DTS26 Tickets:
https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/257ca874-1817-4125-ab99-766dfc8cb726/regProcessStep1?RefId=Attendee&rp=3c1cd02e-2245-4ec6-a49b-28a7651f00c7
In a world where work’s meaning is shifting rapidly, the leaders who invest in people, data, and AI thoughtfully will build the most resilient and innovative organizations.
