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APRIL 2023

AI in HR: Five Ways for People Leaders to Build AI Proficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become essential for modern businesses, enhancing operations by simplifying routine tasks and providing deep insights into workforce trends.  AI in HR can significantly streamline and enhance many strategic activities.

AI Has Arrived. Are You Ready?

In 2022, IDC predicted that by 2023, over 60% of global organizations would implement this technology in People departments, and this percentage is expected to grow.

Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) or Chief People Officers (CPOs), and other People leaders will play a pivotal role in ensuring its effective and ethical adoption within their organizations.

Why HR Leaders are Crucial to Adopting AI Effectively

HR leaders are at the forefront of managing an organization’s most valuable asset—its people. As such, they possess unique insights into the needs and dynamics of the workforce, making them indispensable in driving the successful integration of new technology into People practices.

Their understanding of organizational culture, talent development and management, and employee engagement positions them as key facilitators in leveraging AI to optimize processes while upholding ethical standards and promoting inclusivity.

AI Quick Look: Applications for HR

  1. Streamlining Functions: A majority of surveyed leaders said they are already utilizing this technology across employee records management, payroll processing, recruitment, performance management, and onboarding, with plans to increase its usage in the future.
  2. Enhancing Onboarding: AI-powered chatbots can make onboarding smoother and more personalized, assuring that new employees receive guided support. This technology also frees staff to focus on more complex tasks.
  3. Learning and Development: Personalized learning experiences powered by intelligent algorithms cater to individual employee needs, boosting skill development and career advancement opportunities.
  4. Employee Monitoring and Analytics: This technology now plays a role in monitoring employee productivity and engagement, providing valuable insights including detecting signs of burnout or misconduct and optimizing workflows.
  5. Supporting Recruitment: It can also simplify and automate tasks such as job postings and job offers, and aid in eliminating biases in reviewing candidates.
  6. Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Concerns: As in the case of any new technology used to store business information, People departments must ensure robust cybersecurity measures to protect personal employee data and maintain trust.

Related Articles:

Five Ways for People Leaders to Gain AI Skills and Knowledge

If you are an HR leader wanting to build your knowledge about this technology, where do you start?

Depending on the time you want to invest in learning — and how quickly you need to get up to speed–here are five types of resources that can help you gain proficiency.

1. Industry Analyst Research

Referencing analyst Josh Bersin’s recent research on AI provides valuable insights into current trends, best practices, and emerging technologies shaping the Talent landscape. Bersin’s reports and articles serve as comprehensive resources for executives seeking to understand the implications of the technology on strategy and operations.

Gartner for Human Resources Leaders also provides resources for understanding an building this new technology into an HR strategy.

Articles:

2. Online Courses and Training

Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer specialized courses on  topics ranging from fundamentals to AI’s practical applications in talent management, employee engagement, and workforce analytics.

3. Industry Events and Conferences

Attending conferences and events provides opportunities to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain insights into latest innovations and case studies.

2024 Conferences of Note: 

4. Collaboration with Experts

Collaborating with AI experts, data scientists, and technology partners allows leaders to gain hands-on experience in implementing solutions tailored to their organization’s needs. Building cross-functional partnerships fosters knowledge exchange and enables People teams to harness the new capabilities effectively.

AI Consultants and Experts:

5. Reading Relevant Literature

Whether you are dedicating significant work time to expanding your HR tech knowledge, or looking for a vacation read, books by Erik van Vulpen and Ben Eubanks, offer in-depth insights into the intersection of AI and work operations, providing practical strategies, case studies, and ethical considerations for leaders navigating this new landscape.

Other Books on AI:

In Conclusion

As AI promises to reshape the future of work, leaders must proactively equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to harness its potential to drive organizational success. By embracing AI and leveraging expert resources, they can spearhead its ethical adoption, empower their teams, and unlock new opportunities for workforce innovation and engagement.

Related Links:

Frederickson Partners, a Gallagher company is a market leader in retained executive search since 1995. As one of the top-rated HR executive search and C-suite recruiting firms, we have expertise in placing Chief People Officers, Chief Human Resources Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Legal Officers and many other senior leaders. We draw on a broad network of rising and established executives and leaders, and a 28-year reputation as a talent acquisition and HR Advisory provider.

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