Managing Talent in the Era of AI
24 March 2026 | Hotel SANA Malhoa
AmCham Portugal hosted the conference “Managing Talent in the Era of AI”, in collaboration with IE New York College and with the support of ManpowerGroup, bringing together experts and business leaders to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence and structural transformations in the labour market.
The session featured an intervention by Professor Sergey Gorbatov, who highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in talent management. In a context where labour represents a significant share of organisational costs, he noted that many companies still struggle to clearly explain how work actually creates value.
Against this backdrop, he argued that the central question is no longer the number of employees, but rather the organisation’s capability base and how it evolves over time. The rapid development of artificial intelligence further reinforces this shift, requiring greater clarity on where value is created and how talent can be aligned accordingly.
He also emphasised that talent scarcity does not disappear, but rather shifts, and that organisations able to adapt more quickly, by mobilising internal capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning, are more likely to gain a competitive advantage. Leadership plays a key role in enabling visibility and mobility of skills across organisations.
Panel Discussion: The Impact of AI on Talent Management
The panel discussion, moderated by Leonardo Marques dos Santos (Tax Partner at Miranda & Associados), featured Nuno Ferro (Brand Leader, Experis) and Rui Santos (Head of HR for Upstream & Industrial Business Units, Galp), who shared practical perspectives on the current challenges facing organisations.
Key themes included the growing mismatch between available skills and market needs, with many companies struggling to recruit suitable profiles. It was also highlighted that digital literacy has become a foundational skill, essential for effective participation in today’s labour market.
Speakers stressed that artificial intelligence does not replace people, but rather rewards those who know how to use it effectively, reinforcing the importance of continuous upskilling. In this context, organisations are increasingly shifting from traditional talent acquisition models towards approaches focused on capability building and internal mobility.
The discussion also addressed the low levels of adoption of new tools in some organisations, despite significant investment in training and development.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment followed by a networking session among participants.
The AmCham Portugal thanks IE New York College, ManpowerGroup, the speakers, and all participants for their contribution to this initiative.