The rise of intelligent machines could displace hundreds of millions of jobs, but with guidance and support, humans can adapt. The question is whether businesses will invest in their most valuable resource.
LOVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / May 30, 2023 / The job market today feels precarious to many transitioning into new careers or entering the workforce for the first time. On one hand, AI technology threatens to disrupt entire industries, while simultaneously, massive tech giants have recently had record-breaking, headline-making layoffs. But it's not just job seekers who worry that the job market is uncertain and an area of concern, CNBC corroborates, stating, "One-third of US workers could be jobless by 2030 due to automation."
As AI and automation threaten to disrupt countless jobs, worrying everyone from employees to corporate executives about the future of work, some are looking in a different direction; rather than focusing upon what AI can do better than humans, they're instead focusing upon what humans can do better than AI. A March, 2023 Forbes Technology Council article by Forbes Councils Member Cristian Randieri agrees, stating, "While AI can replace some tasks, it cannot replace human problem-solving skills."
At the workplace intersection of AI and human capital lies HR; so much so, that even the White House is weighing in on the matter. The report, The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Workforces in the European Union and the United States of America, an economic study prepared in response to the US-EU Trade and Technology Council Inaugural Joint Statement, hosted on WhiteHouse.gov, features so prominently the intersection of HR and AI that an entire case study was conducted on the AI meets Human Resources intersection alone.
The case study read, "During the past decade of AI innovations across modern economies, the hiring process has dramatically changed," adding, "The consequence of this change in roles is that HR departments may be looking for a different combination of skills or experiences from their HR professionals."
So what does that mean for today's HR professionals, and how do they rise to the occasion, rather than being phased out by AI all together? After all, the signs point to HR already being on shaky ground; in a 2023 study from software company Oracle, HR leaders said they were struggling to attract and retain top talent, re-skill their workforce, and keep up with high employee expectations.
While HR isn't down-for-the-count, according to Jodi Brandstetter, founder of HR Career Expert and business consultant for HR professionals, the field of HR could benefit from a restructured approach, one which could potentially benefit job-seekers, corporations, and HR professionals alike.
If HR's role in business were regarded as one of leadership, versus a purely administerial function as it's seen in so many organizations, HR professionals might benefit from professional development like other leadership-track employees. In so doing, HR professionals could become business savvy, move into the C-suite, and become a backbone for their organizations.
Moving HR from admin-focused to leadership-focused roles, could possibly solve for the uncertainty of the future of work believes Brandstetter. "The key to humans thriving in this new era of computer automation may lie in intense focus and dedication to those things which AI cannot touch, namely, exclusively human capabilities like complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and empathy, which are difficult to automate."
In the previously cited WhiteHouse.gov hosted study on the impact of AI on the future of work, the case study on AI in Human Resources and Hiring states, "The traditional approach to hiring during the latter half of the 20th century was straightforward," adding, "During the past decade of AI innovations across modern economies, the hiring process has dramatically changed."
That dramatic change implies that HR professionals-and the companies they work for-must change in order to keep up. Brandstetter agrees, stating, "Armed with the right professional development for this new era, including having business acumen beyond traditional HR roles, HR professionals could understand the abilities are uniquely human and how to identify, recruit, and develop people with those abilities. This way HR professionals could become strategic partners in business, be more effective in their organizations, and ensure that humans are able to thrive in the way that only humans can … while still allowing for automation and technology to benefit all in the ways it can."
In an era where experts like consulting titan McKinsey are predicting that 800 million globally could be displaced by the year 2030, and as technology handles more routine tasks, human talents could become even more essential for business success if they are nurtured and developed correctly. Companies who are poised to attract and retain people with skills that machines cannot match could gain a competitive advantage. In an age of AI, human talent is the differentiator that may well determine which businesses thrive. But attracting and managing talent will only grow more challenging as technology transforms jobs. Will today's HR professionals be ready?
The road ahead remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the future of work cannot be left to chance.
ABOUT
Jodi Brandstetter, HR professional and bestselling author of "Hire By Design" and "HR By Design", helps HR professionals become leaders and entrepreneurs through personalized strategic career plans. Her next book, "Career Circle: 20 Ideas to Design Your HR Career", launches in 2024. HR Career Expert specializes in guiding HR professionals towards achieving their career goals, which may include transitioning into HR leadership roles, executive positions, or even entrepreneurship. Her comprehensive career strategy involves tailoring training and development programs, cultivating meaningful relationships, and keeping up-to-date with the latest HR and business trends. To learn more, visit HR Career Expert website or on LinkedIn.
CONTACT:
Jodi Brandstetter
513-310-4410
[email protected]
SOURCE: HR Career Expert