The Secret HR Director: So when will I be replaced by a robot?

Last month’s April Fool’s article about an HRD being replaced by a robot sent me into a bit of a panic and got me thinking; so when is it my turn?! It may seem far-fetched but Artificial Intelligence is becoming a really hot topic again and there is no denying that it is on the verge of really taking off. Could I really be replaced in this way? And how would I feel about my work being performed by R2-D2?

Now just to be clear about something, I’m all for technology. I have the latest iPhone, pay with stuff using my touch gadgets and drive a Mercedes-Benz Hybrid (a pretty geeky vehicle). So I’m in no way a technophobe.

However, the thought of a robot doing my job just seems crazy. I mean, how could a robot deal with the seemingly endless office politics and the out of process decisions by line managers? Or the constant race to find a perfect solution to skills gaps? Or the repetitive meetings about performance being linked to talent?  

And how on (virtual) earth could a robot cope with managing a team of highly-skilled, emotionally intelligent, cake-loving brilliant HR professionals, most of whom are outspoken, challenging and drink large quantities of decaf coffee?