A Gartner report shows that 17% of organizations use AI in HR processes. The projections are that by 2022 the figure will have risen by 13%.
The reasons for the adoption are many. Such include cost savings, higher efficiency, and the use of data for decision-making.
Companies also invest in such technologies to improve their employee experience. Up to 57% cite this as one of the main reasons for the use of AI in HR processes.
HR technology and AI can do a lot for a business. We will look at some of the benefits of investing in such.
1. AI Augments HR Capabilities
Many people question whether technology will replace human capabilities. We do not foresee a situation when this will happen. AI-powered technology augments HR capabilities.
Whichever way you look at it, at the end of the day, these are machines. A human being must be present to oversee their functioning. What they do is take over tasks that may be repetitive and time-consuming.
Take the example of the use of AI chatbots in handling staff queries. The HR will input a preset list of questions from which it generates the answers. Over time the chatbots learn the behavior and repetitive patterns. They can handle more complex queries by adjusting responses.
In a very complex situation, the chatbots will turn it over to someone from the HR department. It means that the person only comes in when necessary. It frees up their time, allowing the teams to handle other core tasks.
2. Streamlining of Recruiting Processes
Hiring and onboarding are tedious, time-consuming, and expensive processes. The HR department advertises the position.
The department gets tons of responses from applicants. The team then has to sift through all of them to find the right candidate. One of the major challenges is that many HR are guilty of not focusing on skill.
Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, can creep into the process. Some organizations will, for example, not consider applicants from less well-known tertiary institutions. Other forms of bias may be due to race, age, gender, and even sexual orientation.
AI recruiting tools provide an excellent way to avoid some of the hiring issues. First of all, they automate the process resulting in higher efficiency. Second, the tool screens the resumes and makes recommendations based on ability. This is important if HR hopes to achieve objectivity in the hiring process.
The company must ensure transparency in its algorithms. The parameters they use for decision-making must also be testable. It helps to remove bias altogether.
Onboarding processes can apply AI algorithms to handle many tasks. Document verification, for example, is a critical step. But, the process of going through the documents manually is time-consuming. The right onboarding apps can take care of such tasks with ease.
Other technologies can assist with briefings about the new role. They can also walk candidates through company contracts and systems. The recruit also gets an opportunity to ask questions and receive prompt answers.
3. AI Can Help With Sentiment Analysis to Reduce Staff Turnover
One of the most significant challenges for companies is staff turnover. It can have a huge impact on the organization, especially when it loses top performers. It would be easy to assume that people leave because they are looking for better wages.
Yet, many other issues could contribute to the decision. Reasons could include lack of job satisfaction, boredom, and toxic work environments.
In most cases, the move by the employee catches management by surprise. Yet, the reality is that the signs were there all along. AI can help with sentiment analysis. You get to know what an employee thinks about the organization.
The HR technology uses natural language processing (NLP) to analyze feedback. The way an employee answers a questionnaire, for example, can provide tons of information.
The software gauges the combination of phrases and words. It then determines if it is negative, neutral, or positive. The company can then take the necessary action to improve the job situation.
4. Better Handling of Candidate Resumes
Companies receive a lot of interest from candidates. You can only imagine the number of resumes an HR department gets every single day. The company needs a proper system in place to handle such.
Having a pool of resources that the company can resort to when hiring can save time and money. But, it is only achievable if the information is easy to access. AI can help with the creation of intelligent digital forms.
Candidates input their information on such platforms. When there is a job opening, the HR types in the relevant search query detailing the job description. The AI technology then goes through the digital forms to pick out the best candidates.
Using advanced technology to streamline the candidate search is a great way to automate the process. It’s one of the good practices for an HR professional who wants to succeed.
5. Better Monitoring Of Employee Performance
Getting the right talent and onboarding is the first step. The company must manage and track performance for the greatest productivity. The right technology allows for the automation of such processes. You don’t need to keep peering over the employee’s shoulder to know if they are working.
Supervision involves the use of data for more accurate reviews. With transparency, employees also know how they’re performing. Self-monitoring technologies, for example, help avoid dependence on word-of-mouth feedback.
The company can also use insights to improve performance. Take the example of customer care agents. Analyzing how they interact with customers can give valuable insights.
It provides HR an opportunity to improve performance where it is lacking. They can, for example, invest in training opportunities to grow their skillsets.
6. Impact of AI on Learning and Development Programs
AI in fields like medicine is transforming the industry. Take the example of medical students performing virtual surgeries. No more dealing with cadavers as part of the learning process.
HR departments use such technologies for training and developmental programs as well. Losing skilled resources is a big problem for companies. It happens when those with experience retire.
But now, companies are creating digital resources of such experience. Those nearing retirement age work on a training manual that they leave behind. When new people take the positions, they can access the material at their convenience.
AI helps adapt the programs to the needs of each member. It uses agile learning models that avoid broad-based or one-fits-all learning solutions.
7. AI Helps With Remote Working
Remote working has been the new normal for countries heavily affected by the pandemic. The 2020 outbreak of the Corona pandemic did not leave much choice. Governments imposed quarantines, stay-at-home orders, and social distancing to curb the spread of the disease.
These moves had a significant impact on businesses. They realized it was an adopt-or-sink situation. Yet, many companies did not have the infrastructure to support remote working.
The good news is that there are HR technologies available. Platforms like slack and Trello help with collaboration. Zoom, Skype, and Google teams also make it possible for workers to go on as usual. Virtual coworking or conferencing spaces is replacing the need for physical workspaces.
Final Thoughts
HR technology and AI can do a lot for a business. We have looked at some ways they can help the HR department. You get streamlining of processes resulting in higher efficiency. Employee management and monitoring are a breeze with the right tools.
Recruiting, hiring and onboarding becomes easier with such technologies. It helps HR focus on skill rather than other factors that may bring in an element of bias. HR technologies have also helped with remote working, training, and so much more.
Very soon, companies that hope to scale and keep up with emerging trends may have no choice but to invest in such.