Ep. 404: "What are the Outcomes?" – AI Strategies for Building the Responsive Workplace of the Future with Rebecca Swanner of HED

Ep. 404: "What are the Outcomes?" – AI Strategies for Building the Responsive Workplace of the Future with Rebecca Swanner of HED

June 2, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

Rebecca Swanner discusses AI strategies for creating responsive workplaces that enhance employee experience and performance.

Rebecca Swanner is Associate Principal and a Senior Workplace Design Leader at HED where she is passionate about creating interiors that strengthen culture, support the evolving nature of work, and amplify human potential. Mike Petrusky asks Rebecca why she believes that workplace leaders should initiate big picture conversations about desired outcomes before making workspace or logistical decisions. They explore how AI is absorbing low cognitive load tasks, increasing the need for humans to focus on strategic and creative work while leading to a "cognitive bar" that requires protecting focus. Rebecca says the workforce is ready for more responsive workspaces that use wearable tech and data to adapt environments to personal needs and tasks. By dynamically adjusting lighting, temperature, and acoustics using real-time biometric data, we can begin to optimize human performance. Effective workplace transformation requires piloting and iterating designs and success metrics should shift from measuring occupancy to measuring outcomes as the future of work will be more integrated, asynchronous, and hybrid. Tune in as Mike and Rebecca offer some practical advice and the inspiration you…

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Host: Mike Petrusky

Guest: Rebecca Swanner

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Organizations: HED

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