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Human Resources (HR) is rapidly evolving.
No longer just an administrative function, HR has become a strategic partner that utilizes data, technology, and agile frameworks to enhance the employee experience and drive business success. The key to this transformation lies in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and adopting agile principles.
Gartner found 76% of HR leaders believe that if their organization does not adopt and implement AI solutions, such as generative AI, in the next year or two, they will be lagging in organizational success compared to those that do.
AI stands to revolutionize how HR professionals approach their work. AI frees up staff to focus more on strategic initiatives that drive business value by automating routine and repetitive tasks. With AI handling mundane chores, HR teams can devote their time and talents to developing company culture, boosting employee engagement supporting leadership development, and other high-value work that requires human insight.
Leveraging automation for routine tasks and data for strategic decision-making
Many routine HR tasks are ideal for automation through AI. Recruiting chatbots can review candidates 24/7, screen resumes, conduct background checks, and manage employee records. This enables HR professionals to devote less time to repetitive tasks and more time to valuable activities like strategy and employee relations. According to the Boston Consulting Group, a balanced human and an AI strategy with clearly defined goals could eventually boost HR productivity by up to 30% or more.
AI enables HR professionals to devote less time on repetitive tasks and more time on valuable activities like strategy and employee relations
Further, AI can provide data-driven insights that allow HR professionals to make smarter talent management decisions. Predictive analytics can analyze employee and management data to predict attrition risk, allowing HR to proactively develop retention strategies. It may also reveal connections between management practices and absenteeism. Armed with these insights, HR leaders can better advise management on tweaks and changes that can help improve performance and morale. Rather than relying on gut instinct, AI enables HR professionals to make recommendations grounded in solid data analytics.
Adopting an agile mindset and approaches to achieve faster, smarter paths to success
Agility is key to realizing the benefits of AI for HR. An agile mindset emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and the ability to rapidly adapt. Rather than rigid, long-term plans, agile teams respond quickly to change and regularly re-evaluate priorities. This aligns perfectly with the iterative nature of AI systems, which learn and improve over time based on new data.
Agile HR teams can pilot tools, gather feedback, and make rapid enhancements. For example, an AI-generated recruiting assistant that screens resumes and schedules interviews can be refined based on how well candidates progress through the hiring process. Instead of waiting months or years to evaluate success, agile teams implement changes in weeks or even days.
Together, AI and agile methodologies enable HR to operate smarter and faster. AI automates the transactional while agile facilitates the transformational
Together, AI and agile methodologies enable HR to operate smarter and faster. AI automates the transactional while agile facilitates the transformational. This empowers HR to focus on the human element – building an inclusive culture, listening to employees, and supporting the organization’s vision. As HR continues to evolve from process manager to strategic advisor, it unlocks the capability to tackle higher-value initiatives like:
- Mapping skills gaps and forecasting future needs
- Designing personalized career development paths
- Proactively identifying retention risks
- Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion
- Coaching managers to be better leaders
The future of AI presents HR teams with tremendous opportunity. HR can transform into an insights-driven function that strategically aligns people initiatives with overarching business objectives by harassing AI solutions and agile methods. This paves the way for HR to have a greater strategic impact across the organization. As AI automation provides the gift of time and insights, HR can focus on the work that matters most in building an engaged, high-performing workforce.
Beth Hanson, a distinguished leader in the field of Human Resources, currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources leading the overall HR department at DeVry University. With a Master's degree in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology from The Chicago School of Psychology and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Business Management from the University of Saint Francis, she brings a wealth of academic knowledge and practical expertise to her role. With over 15 years of experience, Beth has honed her skills in guiding and inspiring Human Resources teams to excel in their roles and consistently deliver outstanding results.
