Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used or considered by more than half (52%) of the UK’s HR professionals, according to WorkBuzz.
The employee engagement company’s study further found that nearly a quarter (24%) of those polled say that their organisation already uses AI or similar technology or plans to do so within the next 12 months. A further 28% are considering using it in the near future.
Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz, said: “Generative AI and in particular ChatGPT have been making waves over the past year, disrupting traditional industries and changing how we think about new technology. For HR leaders, AI has the potential to be transformative – allowing them to make smarter decisions, automate processes and improve productivity. But there is much still to navigate like overcoming bias, ensuring security and upskilling employees to leverage this effectively.”
Among the 400-plus HR professionals surveyed for the State of Employee Engagement Report 2023/24, those from traditionally ‘deskless’ sectors with frontline staff including manufacturing, construction, leisure and hospitality workers, were found to be less interested in AI. Fewer than one in two (49%) reported using it or considering doing so in the next 12 months.
Frost added: “It appears that HR teams in industries with traditionally deskless workers may be slower adopters. And although many commentators are predicting that AI won’t take jobs, workers might still be pushed out by those who know how to use AI, meaning all organisations need to adapt and embrace this next technology, otherwise they’ll risk falling behind.”
According to Gartner, over the next one to three years, generative AI solutions are likely to be embedded in current and new HR technologies.
Frost concluded: “AI can’t be ignored or stalled, with organisations increasingly relying on its advanced machine learning capabilities to streamline everyday processes. The sooner this is recognised, the sooner HR leaders can transition their teams to an AI way of working.”
