Abstract
Purpose - Human Resource 5.0 refers to the fifth generation of human
resources, characterized by the realignment of HR processes and
practices with technology, data, and analytics. This study examines
the coexistence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and empathy in womenled
strategic leadership with reference to HRM 5.0.
Design/methodology/approach - The study is grounded in an
interpretivist, qualitative approach to analyze women CEOs on the
Fortune 500 list. The secondary data were collected from publicly
available sources, including interviews, posts, narratives, and
company reports, associated with 55 women CEOs listed in Fortune’s
500 companies during 2024-2025. Open and axial coding techniques
were used to identify themes in leadership and HRM 5.0.
Findings - The study identifies three main leadership competency
styles – empathetic (44%), servant (16%), and transformational (60%)
that collectively define HRM 5.0. The women’s CEO strategically
leveraged empathy practices alongside HRM 5.0 practices such as
predictive analytics, digital learning, and people analytics to promote
inclusivity, ethics, and psychological safety.
Implications - The women CEOs demonstrate a unique ability to
reinforce HRM 5.0 through AI-driven decision-making and humanistic
values such as empathy, ethics, and inclusive engagement platforms.
The study contributes to management literature by conceptualizing
HRM 5.0 as a five-pillar model.
Originality/value - The paper contributes to modern HRM literature by
conceptualizing HRM 5.0 as a human-centric framework that centres
human ethics, emotions, and behaviors within Artificial Intelligence,
and by positing women CEOs as strategic enablers of empathetic AIdriven
leadership.
Keywords – Artificial intelligence, Empathy, HRM 5.0, Leadership
competencies, Women CEOs,

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