WorkBuzz research reveals HR teams have an open mind about AI but there remains some anxiety about its impacts
The majority of U.K. HR professionals (81%) are open to using artificial intelligence (AI) to support HR, with half admitting that they’re “interested” and “excited”. Just 19% of HR professionals are reluctant to introduce AI into their HR functions.
These are the findings from WorkBuzz’s latest The State of Employee Engagement Report, which involved research with over 640 HR professionals including 335 from the U.K.
“We’re seeing a shift in how HR professionals are viewing AI”, says Steven Frost, CEO of employee engagement specialist, WorkBuzz. “In last year’s State of Employee Engagement Report we found that just over half of U.K. HR professionals were open to using AI, and so mindsets are significantly changing as time-poor HR teams look at how new technologies can effectively support them.”
The report identifies that HR professionals are mainly worried about the ‘human’ element in HR being lost by using AI. Others highlight concerns with AI impacting job security, presenting data risks, and artificially inflating candidates’ qualifications in the recruiting process.
Frost says, “It’s right to be cautious when introducing new technologies, however AI’s use in HR shouldn’t be stalled for fear of its impacts. Instead, organisations should do a thorough risk assessment and then put in place the right guardrails to ensure potential risks are identified and effectively managed.”
As HR juggles a number of conflicting priorities with already stretched resources, the Report recognises how AI is already starting to reduce HR professionals’ workload and add value. Streamlining processes, delivering deeper insights and personalising the employee experience are the key areas where AI is having a measurable impact.
Frost adds, “AI is already taking HR operations to a whole new level by automating and refining a number of processes, from recruitment and onboarding through to everyday employee management. It’s also delivering deep, value-adding insights while enabling tailored and curated employee experiences so that HR’s contributions can be even more strategic and impactful. As more HR professionals start to lean on AI, they will discover new, highly effective ways of working that will be nothing short of transformative.”
WorkBuzz’s State of Employee Engagement Report 2024/25 can be downloaded here: https://workbuzz.com/resources/research-ebooks/state-of-employee-engagement-2024/
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