Can workplaces remain “human” in the age of AI? Rothman & Roman seeks industry answers

As geopolitical tensions intensify, AI adoption accelerates, and workforce fatigue reaches unprecedented levels, organisations across Asia and Europe are confronting a fundamental question: How do we build workplaces that remain resilient, principled, and human in an age of constant disruption?

Rothman & Roman believes the answer lies in communication—not as a functional discipline, but as the connective tissue of culture, trust, and human sustainability.

The organisation has begun outreach for contributors to its Communication Trend Report 2025, the second edition of its flagship research series exploring how organisations are reshaping communication, culture, and responsibility in today’s volatile environment. This year’s theme, Responsibility and Belonging in Business Communication, places people at the centre of organisational strategy at a moment when global trust is eroding.

Zsofia Balatoni, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Rothman & Roman, underscored the significance of this shift. “In a time of uncertainty and disruption, communication is no longer just about clarity; it is about creating meaning and belonging,” she told HRM Asia. “Organisations that put people at the centre of their communication will be the ones that stay trusted and resilient.”

From ESG engagement to human sustainability

The inaugural 2024 edition spotlighted ESG-driven communication, drawing insights from 34 organisations and highlighting best practices in education, DE&I, sustainability, and social responsibility. The findings reinforced a powerful message: organisations thrive when employees are genuinely involved in shaping purposeful initiatives.

This year, Rothman & Roman expands the conversation. Instead of focusing solely on ESG, the 2025 report delves into the broader, more urgent topic of human sustainability—the long-term wellbeing, development, and belonging of employees, consumers, and communities.

Human sustainability pushes beyond traditional corporate responsibility. It reframes communication as a strategic enabler of psychological safety, fairness, transparency, and opportunities—the foundations of a future-ready workforce.

Dr Chitra Rajaram, Director of the Office of Corporate Communications at Republic Polytechnic and member of the Supervisory Board, emphasised that the shift begins at the leadership level. Dr Rajaram said, “Human sustainability starts with how we communicate. When leaders prioritise empathy, transparency and continuous learning, they build workplaces where people feel valued and able to thrive.”

Three themes defining 2025

The upcoming report will explore human sustainability through three pressing lenses:

1. AI Adoption

As AI reshapes work dynamics, the report asks how organisations can integrate technology without eroding trust.

As Dr Felix Tan, Associate Lecturer and Political Analyst at the National Technological University (NTU) of Singapore and a member of the report’s Supervisory Board, noted, “AI can strengthen communication, but only when used responsibly. Technology must support, not replace, the human judgment, empathy, and fairness that keep workplaces inclusive and connected.”

2. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)

In an era of increasing polarisation, the report explores how organisations are evolving inclusion strategies to ensure psychological safety and true belonging, rather than just hitting quotas.

3. Education and Development:

As skills evolve faster than job roles, learning is now the currency of organisational resilience. The report highlights how forward-looking employers are building cultures of growth and accountability, transforming development into a shared commitment between employee and the workplace.

To ensure the report reflects experiences across industries and regions, Rothman & Roman is currently reaching out to senior HR, communications, sustainability, and marketing leaders to participate through interviews, case studies, and expert contributions.

This edition is supported by a Supervisory Board comprising leaders and academics from Singapore, Australia, and Europe—continuing the legacy of the late Bhavani Krishnasamy, co-founder of the series, whose lifelong dedication to purposeful communication shaped the initiative’s vision.

To express interest in an interview or contribution, please contact Tashan Kassey ([email protected]) or Diana Estella ([email protected]).