From July 9–11, 2025, the People Mobility Alliance was live at the WeAreDevelopers World Congress in Berlin – one of Europe’s leading HR and work innovation summits. The event brought together HR and tech leaders from around the globe to explore key trends shaping the future of work, with a particular focus on global mobility, recruiting, and the use of AI in the workplace.

Representing PMA were Daniel Zinner, Johanna Lehmann, Alexia Schmolling, Isha Jain, and Anas Abdi, joined by James Parsons from ETS, co-founder of our International HR Tech Conference.

Global Collaboration, Real-World Impact

At our booth, the spotlight was on the Online International HR Tech Conference – our flagship virtual event that brings together innovators and decision-makers in the global HR and mobility space. Interest was high across industries and countries, and one insight stood out: there’s growing demand for practical education on how to apply AI in HR and Global Mobility.

Our PMA Academy received particular attention, especially the AI Prompting and Vendor Management courses. The congress brought together innovative thinkers and new tech solutions, yet there are huge gaps in the skills and implementation of AI solutions within companies. Our AI Prompting for Corporations courses offer specific trainings tailored to the organisation’s AI-readiness, needs, and provide ready applicable skills for specific departmental functions and their tasks.

Check out our Expert Course on AI Prompting for Corporations.

Tech Meets People

A highlight of our participation was the panel, featuring our co-founder Daniel Zinner alongside experts from SmartRecruiters and other HRTech leaders highlighting “Tech-Enabled, People-First: The Future of Global Hiring”.

Key Themes from the Panel:

• Ecosystem Thinking: Daniel emphasised PMA’s mission to build an ecosystem where all stakeholders in global people mobility – companies, providers, and individuals – can collaborate and thrive. Global Mobility isn’t a solo game; it requires collective thinking and open collaboration.
• Flexibility & Mobility as a Response to Labor Shortages: With demographic shifts and skill shortages especially in Western countries, the need for international talent has never been more urgent. While remote employment is possible in some sectors like IT, roles in care, transport, and craftsmanship often require relocation.

“We need a mindset shift – from individualism to ecosystem thinking – to truly unlock global collaboration.”

• The Evolution from HRTech to PeopleTech:

Daniel traced the evolution of tech in HR:

• • • HRTech focused on systems and scale.
    • WorkTech promoted collaboration between humans and machines.
    • PeopleTech now drives human-centered digital transformation.

“Technology should not just automate processes – it should enable understanding and enhance human interaction.”

• Start With What’s Already Possible:

Daniel’s key advice for organisations trying to strike the right balance:

“Don’t wait for perfect tools or conditions. Whether you’re an individual, a company, or a service provider – use what’s already possible. That’s what we call #MissionPossible.”

PMA Academy: Helping You Navigate the Mobility Maze

Across all conversations, a recurring theme was the overwhelming number of service providers in global mobility. With countless global providers offering similar services in the booths around us, it has become crucial to understand the vendor landscape and select the right partner based on company size, resources, and priorities. Many companies are unsure where to start and who to trust.

That’s why our PMA Expert Course on Vendor Management has become so relevant. It helps global mobility professionals and HR leaders identify, assess, and select providers that best match their organisation’s setup, needs, and budget – ensuring real ROI and lasting impact.

👉 Learn more about the Expert Course here.

Looking Ahead: Building a Smarter, More Human Global Workforce

The WAD Conference 2025 showed us one thing clearly: the future of work is global, digital, and deeply human. Organisations that embrace ecosystem collaboration, leverage smart technologies, and keep people at the center of their strategies will be the ones that thrive.

At PMA, we’re committed to guiding that journey – whether through our International HR Tech Conference, our hands-on PMA Academy, or tailored advisory in building scalable, human-centered global mobility strategies.

Follow us for more insights, trends, and real-world strategies to redefine global mobility and HR tech.

Ready to move forward? Explore our resources or get in touch.

Author:
Alexia Schmolling is the Head of Operations and Academy Lead at PMA. Her focus lies on Expat Management, Employee Health and international HRM. She brings valuable insights from her international experiences.