Why the future of HR looks more human than ever
Increasingly, people fear that AI will take over their jobs. I distinctly remember when a colleague introduced me to the website https://willrobotstakemyjob.com/. Fortunately for me in 2015, Learning and Development professionals faced only an 11% risk of automation.
AI has gained significant attention in the last 12 months, with more people discussing, using, and also fearing it. However, AI is not a new concept, as its origins date back to the 1950s. For a quick history, refer to this informative article.
Despite some people's surprise at the movement towards AI, what intrigues me more is that as people embrace AI, they also report increased fears of job replacement. Forbes cited a CNBC SurveyMonkey Workforce Survey stating that "60% of employees who use AI regularly worry about its impact on their jobs." As someone who transitioned from a management consultant to a People & Culture leader, my focus has been on how AI is reshaping human resources. AI won't replace HR jobs unless we allow it to. Actively ignoring AI, is the biggest mistake HR departments can make at this critical time. Despite AI's capabilities, human roles in HR will remain crucial due to the need for emotional intelligence, judgment, ethics, and personal relationships.
Early adopters have integrated AI into various HR functions. Talent Acquisition uses it to screen resumes and analyze interview responses, while onboarding and employee support are expedited through chatbots. Learning & Development professionals leverage AI for on-demand micro-learning and real-time coaching, resulting in massive gains in efficiency and productivity. However, AI lacks the qualities that make exceptional HR professionals exceptional; human emotions, ability to navigate biases, and the desire to build relationships.
If you've had positive experiences with these unsung heroes of the back office, you'll understand the complexity HR professionals deal with, handling investigations, conflict mediation, layoffs, restructures, medical leave, performance expectations, work life balance, accommodations, and grievances. Nuanced judgment calls are crucial for hiring decisions, promotions, and policy exceptions to create fair and psychologically safe environments. Ethics play a vital role in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and compliance matters. Building meaningful relationships is a cherished aspect of HR that AI will never replicate.
I believe the future will involve AI complementing HR professionals rather than replacing them. Humans will continue in roles requiring cross-functional expertise, strategic planning, and people leadership. The use of AI may increase biases and ethical risks, necessitating increased oversight by human beings. Change management will be crucial for adopting AI, requiring human advocacy to teach people how to implement it into HR processes.
The future looks bright for HR professionals in the AI age. While AI will transform many traditional HR tasks, the uniquely human abilities of emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, strategic thinking, and relationship building will retain their importance and increase in value. AI will handle routine workflows, enabling HR teams to focus more on the human element - being coaches, culture stewards, talent advisors, and organizational development experts. They will have more capacity for the creative, strategic responsibilities only humans can lead on.
With responsible oversight and change management, AI can amplify the capabilities of HR allowing them to reach their full potential. Rather than being replaced, forward-thinking HR leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to elevate their profession. The rise of AI does not spell the end of human resources. On the contrary, it is the start of an exciting evolution placing people at the heart of this function. By embracing AI as an augmenting force, the future of HR looks more human than ever.
https://medium.com/@christine_43643/why-the-future-of-hr-looks-more-human-than-ever-3619e41012ff