Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across industries globally is continuously transforming corporate strategy in today’s digital era, and HR and talent acquisition are no exception. Visions of the future are debated across departments and teams, as are hopes and concerns around how to approach and deploy this new technology.

My participation in two panel discussions at HR Tech North America, a two-day virtual conference organized by the HR Exchange Network, has prompted me to think more about where we stand when it comes to AI. Here are some key considerations and why they are important as companies continue to explore and invest in this technology.

1. Don’t be afraid of AI.

With generative AI taking center stage since late last year, the biggest shift has been that users now have access to these tools directly. We are able to try them out and experiment ourselves, and we should. The future of work has arrived, and what we have been talking about for many years now is finally a reality.

Those who don’t continue to explore and learn risk falling behind in a fast-moving field. Staying on top of recent developments and learning about the strengths and weaknesses of these new tools, as well as their limitations, is key. This is reskilling and up-skilling in action, in an ever-faster changing environment. Staying on top of developments will be a key differentiator, across all areas of business, and agnostic to roles and seniority.

2. We need to be able to walk before we can run.

As with every new technology and development, our gaze is easily drawn to the overarching solution. How can we automate all of HR? How can we automate and improve talent acquisition as a whole? While this “vision” element is key for innovation and empowers thought processes and strategic thinking, we need to remind ourselves to move forward one step at a time.

The key here is to identify very specific use cases with key deliverables that provide value for the business—speed, accuracy, scalability, availability, process management and analytics. With a specific use case in mind, a strategy can be developed, the best tools can be identified and the project can be planned, delivered and evaluated.

With any project around innovation, you will have a learning curve. With every step along the way, you will learn lessons, measure impact and outcomes, make improvements and re-evaluate strategy and next steps. Keep in mind that AI is not a solution in and of itself. No technology itself has ever been a solution, rather, it is an accelerator for a very specific purpose.

3. Will AI take your job?

In most scenarios, AI is simply a tool, and the tool needs someone to use it. Jobs, of course, will change. With AI, new skills will arise, new roles will develop and some roles will change or even fade over time. Don’t think of AI taking away your role; think of AI as a tool that will improve your performance.

Those who keep up to date with these new tools and their applications and use cases will remain much more a part of the conversation and strategy within their organizations than those who don’t. In the future of work, it is key that everyone’s knowledge and skills remain current—a fact that our focus should be on rather than the concern of what may or may not happen in the future.

4. Don’t just think about the use case—also think about corporate culture.

An excellent use case of AI in talent acquisition is that of AI-led interviews, a tool that is being deployed already (and successfully) across many use cases and sectors. Instead of scheduling dates and times for all involved, in a global economy, these systems allow convenient, 24/7 availability, and applicants can start the process whenever they feel ready.

However, if an organization’s culture is not fully digital in the day-to-day workings, then it sends a very different message to utilize AI-led interviews, contrary to the general company culture in an organization. Use cases and measurable deliverables are key, but culture is a critical factor to take into consideration.

In Conclusion

Together with your teams, welcome the challenge as well as the opportunity recent AI developments bring. Staying up to date, continuously, is key here, in order to make informed decisions as to the use cases and tools deployed to improve day-to-day workings and operations.

Keep in mind that AI is a tool sitting alongside many other tools. Applying the right tool in the right context and culture, effectively, has the potential to turn into an impactful solution. AI, in and of itself, is neither a silver bullet nor a solution.

Source: 4 Key Considerations When Exploring AI Technology For Business Use (forbes.com)

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