Peter Cheese said, Chief Executive Officer of the CIPD that HR can “play a central role” to ensure AI is integrated responsibly – balancing employee development and wellbeing with business performance.
The CIPD announced that it would be collaborating with Innovate UK’s BridgeAI program to examine the impact of AI on jobs, skills and organisational strategies. The initiative is backed by UK government and aims to address the key factors that affect AI adoption at work.
The research will help employers understand the skills needed for AI-driven workplaces and contribute to developing ethical frameworks.
Cheese stated, “AI will have a significant impact on jobs, careers, and workplaces. We must all ensure that it is used ethically and responsibly, while understanding its many benefits. AI adoption in organisations is not as rapid as AI development.
HR can play a key role in establishing the way AI works with people, and how it shapes future jobs that are not only good for business performance but also for people. BridgeAI will allow us to better understand how organizations are adopting AI and learning about it, as well as the skills and frameworks that will be required across the workforce.
AI Adoption Research in the Workplace
BridgeAI’s role for the CIPD will be divided into three workstreams. The first is a joint research project with the Institute for the Future of Work. This project will evaluate how organisations use AI today, their plans for implementation in the future, and its impact to employees.
Interviews, surveys and workshops will be conducted with HR leaders of organisations that are already using AI or who are considering it to gain insights on how AI affects tasks, roles and performance. The findings of this research will be used to develop practical tools and guidelines for HR professionals in order to help them manage AI adoption effectively. The CIPD will use the results to develop a profession map that outlines the essential knowledge and behaviors HR professionals require to integrate AI.
The CIPD and other BridgeAI partners will continue to work together later in the year to improve ethical AI frameworks, as well as expand the AI skill framework. These initiatives are designed to equip businesses with the necessary tools to implement AI that will benefit both employers and workers.
Sara El-Hanfy is the Head of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning for Innovate UK. She said: “BridgeAI joins forces with CIPD in order to champion responsible AI adoption at the workplace. This partnership is designed to provide businesses with ethical AI frameworks, and help their employees unlock the full potential of AI.
