THE AI WHISPERER

CHRIS HAVRILLA

Decoding AI's Impact on Work

I help people and organizations understand, trust, and apply AI responsibly and effectively—translating complexity into clarity and action.

After 25+ years connecting technology, talent, and business outcomes—from software engineer to HR leader to Oracle VP to Deloitte analyst—I'm now focused on what's always energized me: advisory, teaching, and helping leaders navigate what's next.

Founder: AI Alchemists

Recognition: Top 100 HR Tech Influencer (2019-2023, 2025)

Based in: Atlanta, GA

My Story

My world is constantly moving and changing, most often rapidly, even on the best of days. Complex challenges, innovation, and navigating what's next have always been part of my personal and professional DNA.

This past year brought a gigantic, unplanned pivot. When Oracle's RIF moved my 2027 timeline to 2025, I didn't feel defeated—I felt exhilarated. After three intense years driving product strategy at one of the world's largest technology firms, I'm returning to what I love: advisory, teaching, inspiring.

I've always been "North Star focused": chasing big, complex, interesting problems worth solving, not titles or industries. My career has been a tapestry of deliberate experiments and unexpected turns—each redirect bringing me closer to where I'm meant to be.

What I've learned:

The truth is: I can be hungry and dirt broke, but I can't do work that has no purpose.

What I Do

I occupy a rare space with three-way perspective:

Vendor lens: I've built products at Oracle, led strategy, accelerated innovation

Buyer lens: I've been the internal HR/IT leader buying, implementing, transforming

Analyst lens: I've studied hundreds of organizations and vendors at Deloitte, understanding patterns of what works and why

This lets me cut through AI hype and HR cynicism simultaneously—grounding insight in reality while spotting what's truly transformational.

Through AI Alchemists, I advise organizations, vendors, and investors navigating the shift from job-centric to marketplace-era models.

Through my thought leadership, I decode AI's impact on work, workforce, and workplace—helping people make sense of complexity.

Speaking

I'm a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at major industry events, bringing grounded insight on AI, transformation, and the future of work.

AI & The Future of Work

  • Cutting through AI hype: What's real vs. marketing
  • Building AI-enabled organizations
  • Ethical AI adoption in HR

Skills-Based Organizations

  • From job-centric to marketplace models
  • Talent access strategies
  • Harmonizing work, workforce, workplace

HR Technology Strategy

  • Breaking down silos
  • Aligning HR, IT, Finance
  • Reducing adoption barriers

Leadership & Transformation

  • Navigating career pivots
  • Staying North Star focused
  • Building safe spaces for hard questions

Past Speaking Engagements:

HR Tech Conference (Advisory Council Member), Unleash World & Unleash America, Oracle CloudWorld, IBM Think, ADP Meeting of the Minds, Conference Board, HCI, SHRM, People Matters

Writing & Thought Leadership

I publish regularly on AI, work transformation, and the future of HR:

Newsletter: The AI Whisperer (Substack) - Coming soon

Weekly insights on decoding AI's impact and transforming work for the marketplace era

Published in: Forbes, Wall Street Journal, HR Executive, TechTarget, SHRM, extensive Deloitte research on HR, AI, and Future of Work

Featured:

Recognition & Credentials

Background:

BBA in Management Information Systems (AI track), University of Georgia

25+ years connecting technology, talent, and business outcomes

Former VP Product Strategy at Oracle (Talent & Workforce Experience)

Former Research Leader at Deloitte (AI & HR Technology Strategy)

Former VP at ADP (Global HR Strategy & Planning, Technology and Analytics)

Let's Connect

I'm always open to conversations about AI, work transformation, speaking opportunities, or just connecting with interesting people tackling complex problems.

Visit AI Alchemists