Article updated November 07, 2024, 10:00 AM
2025 is just a few months away and AI is no longer something in Sci-Fi films. It’s here, it’s real, and it’s quietly reshaping the workplace where it has evolved from an emerging concept to a tangible reality. This is especially true in the world of HR, where it's making heavy workloads easier to carry. Still, a lot of people are asking the same question: Should I be worried? The short answer? No. AI isn’t here to take your job; it’s here to make your job easier. Instead of feeling uneasy about the changes, it’s time to see AI for what it truly is—a tool that supports your role by taking away the mundane tasks that steal your time while allowing you to focus on the parts of your job that actually matter.
Key Points:
- See AI as Your Assistant, Not Your Replacement: It’s taking care of repetitive tasks so you can focus on the things that actually matter.
- Improves Recruitment: AI is making hiring faster, fairer, and less biased, without removing the human touch from the process.
- Adaptable Across Industries: Even in people-first sectors like hospitality or construction, AI is proving that it can help without sacrificing the human element.
- Empowers HR Professionals: AI allows you to focus on culture, leadership, and strategy instead of getting bogged down by admin tasks.
See AI as Your Assistant, Not Your Replacement
The workplace is changing and there's no overlooking that AI is a big part of that. While there is no doubt thoughtful management of these systems is important, it’s not something to be afraid of. In fact, in the past few years, AI has quietly become one of the most useful tools in HR, offering immense support in key areas such as talent acquisition and recruitment or onboarding, allowing HR Leaders to focus on the things they’re good at—like developing talent, improving employee engagement, and creating a workplace culture that people actually want to be part of.
Evidenced in our State of Employee Engagement 2024/25 report, the percentage of HR professionals considering using AI has seen a healthy increase over the past year from 28% to 35%, and it’s clear that this number will only continue to grow. But instead of thinking of it as some kind of robot invasion, think of AI as a new assistant who happily handles the grunt work—like sorting through resumes, scheduling interviews, and managing payroll—so you can keep your focus where it belongs: on your people. As Jeanne Meister, co-author of The Future Workplace Experience, puts it, “AI isn’t taking HR jobs—it’s making them more impactful by allowing HR leaders to do what they do best: lead.”
How AI is Revolutionizing Recruitment
Let’s talk about hiring, one of the most exhausting tasks HR teams deal with. The time spent shuffling through resumes and scheduling interviews can drain your energy before you even meet the candidates. Enter AI. Tools like AI-driven applicant tracking systems (ATS) are making this part of the process faster and fairer. They scan resumes in minutes, highlighting the best candidates and cutting out a lot of the bias that can creep into hiring decisions.
And it’s not just about sorting resumes. AI-powered chatbots — a more job-specific version of ChatGPT—are answering common applicant questions and even doing some initial screening, giving candidates a smoother experience. If you're worried this is the end of the human touch, don't be. According to Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory, AI is about improving efficiency, not taking away the human element. "It’s helping HR make smarter decisions faster, but it’s still the people who lead the way.” In summary, you’re still making the calls; AI just gets you to that point faster and more effectively.
Why AI Works, Even For People-First Industries
If you’re in a deskless industry like construction or hospitality, you might be thinking, “Sure, AI sounds cool, but how does this help me?” These sectors rely heavily on human interaction and are often slower to adopt tech as a result. But as we pointed out earlier, AI can still make a massive difference without taking over that human element.
In industries where shifts, safety, and customer service are top priorities, AI tools can help with scheduling, compliance, and even tracking employee performance. It’s not about automating jobs but more about making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time — and that they have the support they need to do their jobs well.
The Bottom Line: AI and HR Are Better Together
For HR managers, AI isn’t a scary, looming threat—it’s your new best asset. Instead of worrying about it replacing jobs, HR leaders should be looking at how AI can free them up to focus on the strategic and human-centered elements of their role. From recruitment to employee retention, AI is rapidly changing the game, and those who embrace it are going to come out on top.
Still Have Questions About How AI Can Help Your HR Team?
On December 12th we are hosting a webinar that will give you more insights into the benefits and opportunities that AI can bring to your HR function: AI Unplugged: Answering the Tough Questions HR Leaders Are Afraid to Ask. Find out more and register today.
Ready to make your employee insights work for you? Discover how our new product, People Science AI, delivers real-time, tailored insights from your employee surveys, helping you to make better data-driven decisions. Learn more now.