The Practical Uses of AI in Human Resources

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been changing our lives for decades – even though we may not have known it, or even been familiar with the term. In a nutshell, AI automates time-consuming tasks, augments human capabilities, and amplifies human functions. While it may sound a bit overwhelming, it is the wave of not just the future, but the present. And, it has myriad helpful applications in HR.

Where is AI Today?

AI is fast becoming part of virtually every kind of software, so in essence, it’s everywhere. There are numerous aspects of AI to consider regarding how it impacts HR.

Nearly 40 percent of companies are using some form of AI in HR alone. AI is present in nearly every industry, from healthcare and advertising to transportation, finance, law, education and more.

AI for HR

As noted by author Jeanne Meister in her article The Future of Work: The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Human Resources, HR leaders are using AI to deliver more value to their companies by using chatbots for recruiting, employee services, development and coaching. Other applications include:

The development of more seamless, user-friendly employee and candidate experiences.
Improvements such as lower human bias and higher efficiency in candidate assessment.
Improved employee relations, compliance levels, and training programs.

AI and Enhanced Productivity

A growing wave of Expert Automation and Augmentation Software (EAAS) platforms has begun to steer us towards a new era of AI-assisted productivity. They use machine intelligence to replicate and supplement human understanding.

A common concern is: Will AI take away our jobs? The answer is “no” as long as we can help our companies to reskill for the future. Used effectively, AI and robotics won’t automate jobs, but rather automate tasks and augment human functions. Employees can do their jobs better and faster, time will be freed up for more interesting tasks, and people will be enabled to move into new, more rewarding roles.

AI and Enhanced Engagement

Employee engagement programs can increase company revenue by 25 percent or more. In this regard, AI can be applied to:

Talent acquisition: AI can relieve your staff of many time-consuming and monotonous tasks allowing them to focus their time and build relationships with top candidates. For instance, software can scan, read and evaluate applications, eliminating up to 74 percent of them from your recruiting process.
Onboarding: Customized procedures can be developed for every position. And it’s a well-known fact that new hires who complete well-planned onboarding programs have much higher long-term retention rates.
Training: Online courses and digital classrooms are the most common examples. In addition, AI can determine the best time frame for new courses and schedule training to fit each individual employee’s preference.
Performance evaluation: Using AI, you can set concrete objectives for your employees to achieve, and monitor their progress and results. This type of work is easier to follow and assess, and it generates better overall results. This not only serves to boost productivity, but also detects employees who show a lack of engagement or who are not meeting expectations.
Retention: AI can effectively analyze and predict employee needs. For instance, this could mean revealing who should get a raise or who might be dissatisfied with their work/life balance. As a result, you can nip potentially problematic concerns in the bud.

To learn more about AI and additional techniques, methods and strategies to enhance your HR and overall business performance, give HR Works a call today. We’d love to share our expertise to make your job easier and your company stronger.