Artificial intelligence is moving beyond basic applications and starting to reshape how we think about HR at a strategic level. At the recent Unleash World HR Tech and AI conference in Paris, attended by our Managing Director, Claire Harrison, the “AI 301” presentation focused on the more advanced uses of AI in HR—highlighting how businesses can move from basic automation to truly transformative AI applications that enhance organisational effectiveness.
The Strategic Use of AI in HR
AI is now advanced enough to offer more than just process automation. With AI 301, businesses can leverage sophisticated tools that analyse deep employee behaviour patterns, facilitate workforce planning, and even assist in culture-building. AI 301 addresses how HR teams can use AI to support decision-making at the highest levels and align HR strategy with overall business goals.
Advanced AI applications can help businesses predict workforce needs, model different organisational scenarios, and even assess the potential success of leadership candidates based on historical data. These tools allow for predictive analytics that provide deeper insights into employee performance, engagement, and satisfaction levels—enabling HR professionals to take proactive measures rather than reactive ones.
What Problem is Being Solved for Businesses and Employers?
As organisations grow, managing the workforce becomes more complex. Strategic workforce planning is no longer a luxury—it’s essential. The main issue AI 301 tackles is the difficulty in managing large, complex organisations where understanding the needs of each individual and predicting future workforce requirements is challenging.
Through the use of AI, businesses can better understand the current and future needs of their workforce, allowing them to plan ahead and allocate resources effectively. Additionally, AI helps businesses identify potential leaders and high-performers early in their careers, which helps in succession planning and long-term organisational growth.
Moreover, AI 301 emphasises the ethical use of AI in HR. As AI tools become more integrated into decision-making, companies need to ensure that they are using these tools in a way that promotes fairness and avoids discrimination. This is a key challenge as biases can still be embedded within the data AI uses.
Advanced Applications: From AI-Driven Leadership to Ethical AI
AI 301 discusses the more sophisticated applications of AI that are now available to HR professionals. One such tool is AI-driven leadership development programs, which use data from performance reviews, engagement scores, and even team dynamics to identify potential leaders and tailor development programs to fit their strengths and weaknesses.
Another critical area is ethical AI. Advanced AI tools must operate with transparency and fairness to avoid perpetuating biases. Organisations must implement AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical AI use, involving regular audits and oversight of AI algorithms.
Claire’s Top 5 Take-outs for Businesses Implementing Advanced AI in HR (AI 301)
- Embrace Predictive Analytics: Use AI to predict future workforce needs and challenges, allowing for better strategic planning and resource allocation.
- Develop AI Governance: Establish ethical frameworks around the use of AI in HR to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to company values.
- Customise Leadership Development: Implement AI tools that can identify emerging leaders and customise development programs based on individual data points like performance metrics and team feedback.
- Focus on Data Security: As AI systems process more sensitive employee data, ensure that your business has robust data security measures in place to protect employee information.
- Integrate AI with Human Insight: While AI can provide powerful data-driven insights, human judgment is still crucial. Combine AI insights with HR professionals’ expertise to make the most informed, ethical, and effective decisions.
If you’d like to find out more about this topic and/or Harrisons please contact us on 1300 001 447 or contact us.
Claire Harrison is the Founder and Managing Director of Harrisons, a flourishing HR consulting business that sprouted in 2009 from Claire’s passionate belief that inspiring leaders and superstar employees are the key success factor to any business. With over 20 years’ experience, Claire has worked as a HR Director of multi-national organisations, as a Non-Executive Board Director, and a small business owner. Claire’s corporate career includes working with companies such as BHP, Westpac, Fonterra and Mayne Nickless.
