As artificial intelligence continues to reshape workplaces, PepsiCo's chief people officer, Becky Schmitt, says there is growing pressure to explain technology's role to employees while keeping the company's core values intact. According to a report by Fortune, speaking at Fortune's Workplace Innovation Summit, Schmitt emphasized that PepsiCo is doubling down on 'old-school skills' like hustle, curiosity, and resilience, even as AI tools automate technical tasks.
Prioritizing Human Intuition
Schmitt noted that while many employees are experimenting with 'prompting' and 'vibe coding' skills, PepsiCo continues to prioritize human intuition and problem-solving. 'There's a couple things that are part of our secret sauce... our people have hustle. How do you solve problems? How do you have that internal fortitude to work through it? How are you curious? Are you always asking questions?' she said.
PepsiCo as a Training Ground
The reputation of PepsiCo as a training ground for Fortune 500 leaders underscores the company's focus on nurturing talent that thrives both inside and outside the organization. Schmitt feels the hiring strategy is about creating a two-way relationship where both the company and employees feed into each other's success. She also emphasized the importance of education, exposure, and evolving evaluation processes to uncover 'jewels' across the workforce. This approach reflects a broader industry trend where soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and empathy are becoming more valuable as AI takes over routine tasks.
Human-Centric Design in AI Transformation
Schmitt acknowledged that PepsiCo is undergoing a significant tech transformation, integrating AI into everyday operations while modernizing decades-old factories. She stressed that the company's main goals are to make jobs safer, more productive, and attractive, all while keeping workers informed. 'We're all using AI all day long through our devices, so why would you come to work and fill out paper? It feels like we should have a change,' she said.
Explaining Change to Employees
In this AI-driven era, Schmitt said there is more pressure to explain changes to employees clearly. PepsiCo's approach is rooted in human-centric design, ensuring that technology provides value while maintaining accountability. The company believes humans will remain the drivers of innovation, with AI serving as a productivity booster rather than a replacement. 'We do believe that humans are going to create new opportunities... and that's going to come from our people not just from the tech and people using tech in the right way,' Schmitt added.
