28 JUN 2023

Two in five HR leaders need three years to prepare for AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to bring significant changes to the workplace, but HR leaders in the UK believe they need a minimum of three years to prepare for its impact. A recent survey conducted by Yoho Workplace Strategy reveals that 40% of HR managers and directors surveyed require three years or more to prepare for the introduction of AI, while only 15% anticipate being fully prepared within the next year. The study, which polled 600 HR professionals, sheds light on the current state of AI adoption, concerns, and anticipated benefits in the HR sector.

Slow Progress towards AI Adoption: The survey findings indicate that while some progress has been made, with 35.5% of organisations already trialing AI and an additional 40% investing in their tech teams to integrate AI, a significant portion of HR professionals still feel unprepared. Grant Price, CEO of Yoho Workplace Strategy, emphasises the urgency to prepare for the impending seismic changes brought about by AI, as the technology is expected to evolve rapidly within the next three years.

HR Concerns and Anticipated Benefits: The survey identifies several concerns regarding AI implementation in HR. The top concerns include a perceived lack of human interaction, over-dependence on technology, technical issues, ethical considerations, and security and privacy. However, HR professionals also recognise the potential benefits of AI. Improved decision-making, increased productivity and efficiency, automation of routine tasks, enhanced innovation and creativity, and better resource allocation and time management are among the anticipated advantages.

Anticipated Impact on Jobs: The survey reveals HR professionals' perspectives on the jobs that will be most affected by AI. The majority (27%) believe that IT and technology jobs will experience the greatest changes, followed by finance and accounting (23%), customer service and support (22%), sales and marketing (22%), and healthcare and media (21%). While concerns about job displacement persist, more than a third of respondents believe that the benefits of AI will outweigh the drawbacks when it comes to the job market.

The Need for Awareness and Adaptation: The survey results show that eight out of ten HR professionals are aware or fully aware of AI's potential impact on jobs, suggesting that some leaders in the field still need to catch up. Yoho Workplace Strategy's Grant Price emphasises the need for quick adaptation to leverage AI capabilities, with the younger generation, such as Generation Z, expected to adapt more swiftly due to their familiarity with technology.

Conclusion: As AI technology continues to advance, HR leaders in the UK recognise the need to prepare for its impact on the workplace. While many HR professionals anticipate the benefits of AI, concerns regarding human interaction, over-dependence on technology, technical issues, ethics, and security and privacy remain. IT and technology jobs are expected to be significantly impacted, followed by roles in finance, accounting, customer service, sales, marketing, and healthcare. To thrive in this evolving landscape, organisations must embrace AI capabilities quickly and leverage its potential to turn data into actionable insights. Awareness and adaptation will be crucial in navigating the future of work in an AI-driven world.