Technology | Payroll's AI reality check

Payroll is changing fast, but new research from MHR suggests the profession is still caught between ambition and operational reality.

According to MHR’s survey of 250 payroll managers and senior leaders across the UK and Republic of Ireland, 91% are already using AI in their payroll processes. Yet the same report shows that many teams remain heavily reliant on manual work, spreadsheets and duplicated data.

The payroll paradox

This tension is the central payroll paradox. Leaders are looking to AI, automation and data-led decision-making to transform the function, while payroll professionals are still wasting valuable time checking information, rekeying data and correcting errors.