We’re in the midst of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in human resources. HR departments everywhere recognize the benefits of using AI technology to automate workflows and manage simple tasks. You might use generative AI to write job descriptions, draft emails to your candidates, or employ an AI chatbot to answer questions on your career site. 92% of HR leaders say they intend to use AI even more in the near future.
However, the proliferation of AI solutions brings with it some apprehension from HR, employees, and candidates. You’ve probably wondered if your HR role could be replaced by AI. Your people wonder if big decisions about hiring and firing are being made by AI software. Considering the scope of AI’s capabilities, it’s not an uncommon fear.
Luckily, the evidence shows that AI in HR is unlikely to take over anyone’s role or make final decisions about your employees. Instead, it’s a powerful tool that can take mundane, repetitive work off HR’s plate so they can focus more on the human element of their work. Keep reading to learn more about why people are such an irreplaceable part of HR and the future of AI in the human resources field.
The Value of AI in HR
It’s no secret that HR uses AI to help with different parts of people management. What may not be as clear is that AI isn’t taking over duties that require a human touch. Rather, HR teams are using it to improve their processes, making them more efficient, streamlined, and intelligent. 63% of HR leaders expect generative AI to eliminate redundant HR activities.
Here are a few of the top benefits of using AI in HR:
- Streamlining talent acquisition or recruitment, hiring, and screening processes
- Creating personalized onboarding experiences
- Enhancing performance reviews and feedback
- Automating tasks and reducing workloads
- Using predictive analytics to strategize and make informed decisions
- Improving employee engagement
AI-driven tools enable HR to analyze data, gain insight, and make decisions based on what’s actually happening at your company. The technology allows HR teams to sharpen their focus on what really matters — their people.
The Human Aspect: Irreplaceable Elements of HR
With the rise of AI in HR, it’s only natural to be concerned about its impact on your role. Lots of companies use AI for the recruiting process, and it’s at work in other aspects of talent management, too. Some of the tasks it can help with are:
- Drafting job descriptions and posts
- Identifying top candidates in applicant pools
- Prioritizing and automating candidate outreach
- Writing candidate emails and offer letters
- Designing personalized learning and development plans
- Identifying high-performing employees
- Giving performance feedback
- Making predictions about your workforce
Although AI often plays a role in talent management, it can’t replace humans in the most important parts of the HR function. No one wants it to, either, considering that using AI to make final hiring decisions is unpopular —71% of Americans are opposed. Aside from the majority opposition, here are a few reasons why humans are irreplaceable in HR.
1. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
AI can’t replicate the empathy and emotional intelligence of a human being, especially at the level required of HR employees. HR teams use these skills to build rapport with employees and facilitate a supportive company culture. AI isn’t capable of empathizing with any of the unique situations your employees are dealing with, nor can it understand others’ emotions and adjust accordingly. Your HR team is irreplaceable in this regard.
2. Building Relationships and Trust
HR teams are pivotal in establishing and cultivating company culture. They’re the first people your applicants interact with, and the team employees turn to when they’re dealing with difficult situations. AI can’t replace genuine human interactions, active listening, and transparent communication from HR, which are the basis of trust between employees and their employers. Humans are necessary for building a sense of belonging that enables employee engagement and retention.
3. Handling Complex Interpersonal Dynamics
Humans are complex, and so are our relationships with each other —and the workplace is no exception. Conflict does occur at work, and HR is typically the department that handles these complicated situations. You need humans on your HR team to understand nuances and mediate disagreements. They’re necessary for facilitating collaboration and teamwork.
AI also can’t replace humans when it comes to navigating the intricacies of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. You need people on your team to create a cooperative work environment where employees are satisfied, productive, and united in their purpose.
4. Ethical Decision-Making
Although we can employ responsibly developed AI tools, no technology can replace humans’ understanding of ethics and values. HR teams are often faced with ethical dilemmas in decision-making, and they can consider the impact of their decisions in a way AI can’t duplicate. Your HR team understands your company values, ethics, and morals and can apply those to these situations.
Upholding ethical standards is essential for a company culture of trust, support, and integrity. That’s not something you can use AI to achieve, and that’s why humans will remain an indispensable part of the HR function.
The Future of AI in HR
As technology advances, you should expect to see even more AI solutions for HR on the market. We know that HR executives plan to ramp up their use of AI, so you should also anticipate that your HR team will need more advanced AI skills. 43% of HR executives expect to see skills gaps as a result of the increased use of AI.
To prepare for this future, stay on top of what’s happening with AI in the HR space and talk to your team about its impact. Together, you can create a plan for AI to supplement your processes and the skills your team will need to get the most out of the technology. Instead of replacing your people, AI can give them a brand-new skillset that benefits your team and your business.
AI in HR Technology
As an HR technology provider, ClearCompany keeps its finger on the pulse of the space's trends and advancements. We focus on responsible AI development that enhances clients’ capabilities and expands their toolkits. Our AI assistant is already helping clients with written tasks in the recruitment process to attract the best-fit candidates and enable faster hiring.
Try our AI-Assisted Job Description Generator to experience how AI empowers — rather than replaces — humans in human resources.
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