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What did Moderna just do?
Moderna’s big reorg has us asking — should CHROs and CTOs share the same seat?
Sadia Vali
September 22, 2025
In partnership with
👋 Hello you, my favorite debate partner,
Even if you’ve never worked at a big company, you know the drill: HR = people, IT = tech.
Two different worlds, right?
Well… not anymore. Some companies are tearing down the wall and putting both under one leader. Why? AI.
This week, I need your verdict: Should IT and HR merge? Let’s unpack.
🌍 Case Study: Moderna’s Bold Leap
Moderna just shook things up — merging HR and IT under one leader.
Why? To build an agile, AI-first company where digital and human capital strategies are finally in sync.
This isn’t about cost-cutting or neat org charts. It’s about:
✔️ Breaking silos between people + technology
✔️ Designing a future where humans + machines are co-workers
✔️ Creating speed in how AI gets deployed across the business
Why it matters for you: If this sticks, we’re looking at a future where the HR playbook isn’t separate from the tech playbook. They’re one and the same.
🧩 Expert POV: Should CHROs + CTOs Merge Roles?
Harvard Business Review put it bluntly: with AI touching every part of work, maybe CHROs and CTOs aren’t two leaders anymore… maybe they’re one.
The argument:
Talent strategy = Tech strategy. You can’t design work without both.
AI needs context. Only HR knows the human workflows AI must fit into.
Culture is digital now. Employee experience lives on apps, dashboards, and bots.
Can one person really master both? Or do we risk creating super-jobs that burn out leaders before they even start?
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🚨 The countdown to HR Playbook 4.0 is on - September 24 is THE day.
After three blockbuster editions with thousands of HR leaders tuning in, we’re back with conversations designed for the questions shaping work in 2025.
This time, we’ll dive into topics such as:
What growth looks like when career ladders disappear
How people analytics can move from dashboards to real decisions
What it takes to design culture and policy for teams spread across cities, countries, and time zones
And where AI is already changing the way we hire, listen, and build trust
You’ll hear from speakers such as Simin Askari, Parul Jauhar, Rubi Khan, Anjan A, Arjit Mehrotra - and more.
🤖 AI in Recruiting: Because You Deserve Your Time Back
Be honest—scrolling through 300 resumes just to find 3 decent ones? That’s not “hiring,” that’s punishment.
AI changes the game:
🚀 Faster → Shortlists in minutes, not marathons
🎯 Smarter → Scores candidates on actual skills, not buzzwords
🙌 Freer → You finally get to spend time where it counts—interviews, culture, and people
💡 TSOW Take: AI won’t replace HR (no chance). What it will do is get the busywork off your plate so you can actually be the strategic badass your org needs.
💡 HR Events You’ll Actually Want to Attend
The month HR gets smarter—one connection, one idea at a time.
✅TSOW HR Meetup in Chennai, Saturday, September 27
Join us for an insightful evening focused on the future of HR. Connect with like-minded professionals, gain valuable perspectives, and walk away with new ideas. Seats are limited. Register today!
✅TSOW HR Meetup in Goa, Saturday, September 27
Meet professionals who share your passion, discover new ways of thinking, and leave with fresh strategies—and a digital badge to show for it. Spots are limited—grab yours now!
✅TSOW HR Meetup in Noida, Saturday, September 27
Hang out with HR peers, swap insights, and leave inspired with actionable strategies. Oh, and there’s a digital badge for bragging rights! Limited seats—grab yours before they’re gone.
So — settle this for me.
👉 Should HR and IT merge under one role, or do they need to stay distinct to stay effective? |
Whether you’re #TeamMerge or #TeamSeparate, one thing’s clear: AI isn’t just a tool anymore. It’s forcing us to redesign who leads, how we work, and what work even means.
See you at the next meetup — and don’t forget, HR Playbook 4.0 is coming on Sep 24. If you like debates like this, you’ll love what we’ve lined up. Save your spot here →
💬 Until then, keep those hot takes ready.
— Team TSOW