AI at Work: How Levi Strauss Is Reimagining Work - 2026 Next Practices Weekly
As part of i4cp's Next Practices Weekly, join us on September 3, 2026, for an exclusive conversation with Bernard Bedon, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Levi Strauss & Co., on how one of the world's most iconic brands is taking a fundamentally different approach to AI transformation. Rather than beginning with the technology, Levi Strauss began with the work itself - using a workflow mapper to help its Executive Leadership Team rethink how work gets done and where AI can create meaningful value. The result was a powerful mindset shift: moving AI from an abstract conversation about possibilities to a practical discussion about redesigning work, improving processes, and enabling better business outcomes.
Bernard will share how this process-first approach helped leaders identify where AI could accelerate work - and where human judgment, creativity, and experience remain indispensable. Through examples like the company's memorable "five-pocket" story and his belief that "AI doesn't have taste," he'll illustrate why successful AI strategies aren't about replacing people but about empowering them to do higher-value work. Hosted by i4cp, this discussion will also explore HR's critical role in preparing leaders and employees for change by building AI confidence, developing new capabilities, and creating a culture where people actively participate in shaping the future of work.
Why You Should Attend
- Learn how Levi Strauss used a workflow mapper to shift its Executive Leadership Team's mindset from viewing AI as a technology initiative to seeing it as an opportunity to fundamentally redesign work.
- Discover a practical, process-first framework for identifying where AI creates the greatest business value before investing in tools or large-scale deployments.
- Hear how HR can influence executive decision-making by helping leaders rethink workflows, redefine roles, and guide enterprise-wide AI transformation.
- Explore why AI can enhance productivity, but human judgment, creativity, and discernment remain essential for innovation, brand differentiation, and sound business decisions.
- Walk away with actionable ideas for building employee confidence, reducing resistance to AI, and equipping leaders and teams to embrace new ways of working.
- Benchmark your organization's AI journey against the experience of one of the world's most respected brands and leave with practical lessons you can apply immediately
As organizations move beyond AI experimentation and into enterprise-wide transformation, HR leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to redefine how work is designed, how leaders make decisions, and how employees create value. Join your peers to gain practical insights into leading AI transformation from the top - starting with work, engaging the Executive Leadership Team, and ensuring people remain the competitive advantage.
To ensure open discussion, this event is exclusively for HR practitioners. Vendors and consultants are not permitted to attend.
