HUMAN CAPITAL
Gartner says that around half of the organisations the firm has talked to are already investing in AI or planning to do so in the next three years . “ AI has already proven it delivers against cost-saving expectations and is now evolving into more refined uses such as enhanced decision making , for example , not just by screening more CVs , but also by providing recommendations on which CVs to shortlist and why ,” says Kropp .
And while there are those who argue that digitisation of the HR function will lead to loss of human touch , the opposite can in fact be true .
Using technology to support and engage people Duncan believes that in the future we will see AI being used as an ‘ intelligent co-pilot ’, complementing and enhancing the existing skills of HR teams rather than replacing them .
“ AI provides HR departments with an opportunity to improve the candidate and employee experience by automating repetitive , low-value tasks and freeing up time to focus on more strategic work ,” says Duncan . He argues that with so many businesses looking at creating more flexible hybrid models of co-located and distributed work for the future , the focus long-term must shift from “ how businesses can use technology to improve their bottom line to how can they use technology to support and engage their people ”.
HR leaders should concentrate on using technology as an enabler for better employee experiences , working in the background to support greater workforce productivity and issue resolution .
For example , as a tool for augmented experiences , Duncan argues that technology can be a powerful enabler for connecting employees and teams who may not traditionally have face-toface interaction in an office . He points to new videoconferencing platforms based
“ Long-term , the focus must shift from how businesses can use technology to improve their bottom line to how can they can use technology to support and engage their people ”
ANDREW DUNCAN CEO UK , INFOSYS CONSULTING businesschief . com 197