249 - AI’s First Cuts Are SaaS Tools: Jenny Molyneaux (VP People, Vercel)

19/08/2025 1h 7min

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Episode Synopsis

Jenny Molyneaux, VP of People at Vercel, joined us on The Modern People Leader.We talked about why AI is replacing HR tech spend before headcount, how Vercel’s people team is building custom AI tools to replace expensive SaaS products, and what HR leaders can do to start building with AI today.---- Sponsor Links:🔗 Get your free 30-day Synthesia account.🔗 Request a demo of ChartHop.MPL Links:🔗 Buy your ticket for MPL Live New York.🔗 Go sign up for MPL Build.---- (07:36) Jenny’s Career Journey: From Google to Startups & VP of People at Vercel(16:17) Lessons Learned as a People Team of One(21:37) What Vercel Does Explained Simply(28:15) How AI Will Cut Spend Before Headcount in HR(33:13) Cost Savings from Building Internal AI Tools Instead of Buying SaaS(37:22) Creating a Company Culture of AI Adoption(40:17) The Future of B2B Tech: Customization, Forking, and AI Marketplaces(44:23) Customizing Engagement Surveys for Better Insights(49:44) Jenny’s “Manager Stack” Vision for AI-Driven Performance Management(53:40) How to Start Building Internal Tools with AI(56:50) Advice for HR Leaders: Just Start Building---- 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get episode recaps💡 Follow The Modern People Leader on LinkedIn😊 Follow Daniel Huerta on LinkedIn😊 Follow Stephen Huerta on LinkedIn

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