Building Trusted AI For The Future Of Work Ft. Naomi Lariviere, Chief Product Owner & VP At ADP

 

In this episode of TechDogs Discover Dialogues, host Vikramsinh Ghatge speaks with Naomi Lariviere, Chief Product Owner and Vice President at ADP, about how AI, data, trust, and human-centered product leadership are reshaping workforce technology. Drawing on more than two decades of experience spanning financial services and human capital management, Naomi explains that technology is most valuable when it helps people navigate meaningful workplace moments such as getting hired, receiving pay, building skills, or advancing their careers. She emphasizes that successful products are measured not by the number of features they offer, but by how effectively they remove friction and improve user confidence.

Naomi highlights how workforce platforms are evolving beyond traditional systems of record into intelligent systems that provide guidance and support. Rather than simply storing information or automating workflows, modern HCM platforms are expected to deliver timely answers, recommend next-best actions, and simplify complex decisions for employees, managers, and HR teams. She also stresses that AI should never be implemented simply because it is available. Instead, organizations should begin with real customer pain points and determine whether AI can meaningfully reduce effort, improve experiences, and solve problems more effectively.

When discussing Human Resources, Naomi underscores that trust must remain the foundation of AI adoption. Because HR and payroll systems influence pay, compliance, hiring, benefits, and other significant employment decisions, AI should always be deployed responsibly with appropriate safeguards and human oversight. She explains that while AI can streamline repetitive tasks and surface valuable insights, people should continue making decisions in high-risk scenarios where fairness, compliance, and individual livelihoods are involved.

Naomi concludes by sharing valuable leadership lessons for aspiring product professionals. She encourages leaders to replace the need for having all the answers with a mindset built on curiosity, empathy, and continuous learning. Transitioning from an individual contributor to a leader requires shifting the focus from personal achievement to enabling team success. Her broader message is that the future of workforce technology depends not only on smarter AI, but on building trusted, human-centered solutions that empower employees and organizations alike.