How GenAI will reshape HR as we know it
In the lead-up to her presentation at the 31st Human Resource Summit in October, Joanne Carlin shares some insights into the use of GenAI within HR.
The question of how best to leverage the power of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is one that most professions and job functions are pondering, not least human resources (HR).
As HR leaders, we have a pivotal role to play in the implementation of GenAI within our organisations and ensuring our people are equipped and empowered to navigate the various challenges and opportunities that widespread digital innovation will bring.
GenAI technologies, which can generate new content from disparate sources and rapidly summarise multiple data sets, offer the HR discipline a number of powerful capabilities.
It can understand, learn and implement complex tasks, so while it won’t do anything a HR professional can’t already do, it will inevitably be faster, and more succinct.
When I began my HR career I did so in the usual way - admin, then advisor, then onwards. You learn by doing, by reading and analysing policies and practices, by being in meetings and hearing how the discussions change shape with each interaction. But what happens when those interactions are replaced by GenAI? How do our entry roles to the profession morph?
I’m not entirely sure I have the answer to that, but what is clear is they are going to have to change and so too are the operating models of HR.
There are heaps of tech-enabled solutions, however, the speed at which AI is evolving in the workplace is so significant if we are not with the wave of change then we will be washed away by it.
The implications of embracing GenAI as a central component of the HR function are already there for all to see.
There have been significant strides in how AI-powered systems can analyse thousands of applications within seconds; we see more personalised learning paths for employees through AI-driven platforms; performance management systems where AI is able to analyse huge amounts of data to identify patterns; and AI-powered sentiment analysis tools are able to analyse employee engagement levels through communication and feedback.
This is in addition to its role in predictive analytics and how AI systems can review huge amounts of data to predict future trends in areas such as employee turnover, talent strategies, and various other metrics that are central to what we do as HR professionals.
The benefits are clear to the employee and the organisation, this includes HR: automating routine tasks, improving decision-making, and creating a more personalised employee experience.
Yet all of this assumes a base knowledge to provide that human element of deeper understanding.
My question is whether we are looking to the future with as much analysis and forethought as we need are we continuing to develop our base understanding if we are not living the experience at entry-level roles?
We must get creative and understand how we are going to upskill alongside how we can create entry pathways. This needs to happen sooner rather than later.
The benefits of GenAI adoption are plentiful but it’s imperative that we don’t neglect the special component that is at the core of all successful businesses, not to mention HR teams ‘the human touch’.
Without this vital ingredient, the connection with our people and subsequently with our customers begins to deteriorate.
Effective integration of GenAI in HR requires a careful balance of technological innovation with a human-first approach.
With that in mind, it’s clear the role of HR professionals will evolve, focusing more on human interaction and insight, while simultaneously augmenting tech capabilities. This will help provide a capability in deeper understanding of people as our need to understand processes will reduce.
Human Resource Summit 2024
Joanne Carlin will explore the role of AI in HR further in her presentation on ‘Evolving your HR Operating Model in Motion with Digital and AI Solutions’ at the 31st Human Resource Summit, which will be held on the 9th -11th October in Sitges.
Interested in attending? Take a look at the Summit Events Website here https://summit-events.com/human-resource-summit