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May 8, 2024
Yes, AI is creating new jobs, and here’s how your HR team can prepare themselves and your organization.
It’s an age-old belief – technology is here to take our jobs. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), this is the top concern for many people. Even with all the new AI applications we’re discovering, the invaluable human touch isn’t going anywhere, and here’s why.
Consider the concept of ‘nutrient synergy’. It’s the idea that certain combinations of nutrients, when consumed together, enhance their physiological benefits to your body. For instance, turmeric and pepper or Vitamin C and E. Humans and AI are similar in this regard; to harness the full potential of AI, we must work with it in harmony. An IBM survey reveals that 87% of executives believe AI will augment their employees, underscoring the potential of AI to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
Although AI has replaced people in specific jobs, it has also created new jobs or redefined how some jobs are done. The adoption of AI and the change that comes with it is inevitable. As custodians of employee experience and organizational culture, human resource (HR) teams are not just observers but active participants in this transition. They play a vital role in supporting the adoption of AI in the workplace, ensuring a smooth transition, and helping employees adapt to the changes.
Let’s explore how AI impacts our workforce and how HR teams can prepare to guide their organizations through this transformation.
As we continue to learn about AI and discover its many applications, we also see the emergence of new jobs and the redefining of existing ones. A recent Upwork survey found that 64% of C-suite respondents plan to hire more professionals due to AI. These new jobs include AI trainers, data scientists, AI ethicists, and many more. As with most new technologies, adopting AI brings untapped opportunities to explore and can fill the gaps in team members’ skills.
Returning to our nutrient synergy analogy, AI creates new jobs to help technology and humans work together. Even with AI and automation causing redundancies, the human element remains irreplaceable in some areas. Although you can automate manufacturing or data aggregation processes, you still need humans to conduct quality control or interpret and use AI-generated data. Similarly, specialists in HR consulting for consumer brands will be the first to tell you about the power of human interaction in areas such as customer relations, which significantly impacts a company’s reputation and overall success.
There is still a vast uncharted territory when it comes to AI, and several new jobs are emerging to ensure that this technology continues to function ethically, safely, and effectively. HR professionals play a crucial role in this aspect. They can help ensure that AI is used in a way that respects employee rights, promotes diversity and inclusion, and is transparent and accountable. Data scientists, for example, must continually test the quality of data being fed into and generated by AI. Cybersecurity specialists help address concerns around security, while AI ethics experts ensure that AI-generated decisions and recommendations are morally and ethically sound. Technology is still in progress, and human touch is needed to ensure it does more harm than good.
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AI has redefined traditional sectors such as healthcare, and AI-powered job creation is bridging the gap between what AI generates and how those results are used. It has given rise to jobs such as data analysts in healthcare, chatbot trainers in customer service, and agro technologists who combine AI-generated data with their niche expertise to enhance decision-making and planning. These examples illustrate how AI is not just replacing jobs but also creating new ones and transforming existing roles.
As we navigate the uncharted territory of AI, HR teams must take the lead in preparing themselves and their organizations to accommodate these new jobs and adapt to the changes that AI brings. By seeking insights from experts in HR services for SaaS companies, your team can proactively prepare for the AI-powered future of work, empowering them to shape the future of your organization.
Successful adoption of AI depends on recognizing and building relevant talent within your workforce, driven by a hands-on HR team. As the vital support system for an organization’s people, HR leaders are crucial in guiding the way to an AI-powered future. According to the MIT Sloan Management Review, high-performing companies focus more on training, change management, and team design. With these three weapons in their arsenal, HR teams can successfully usher their organizations into the workplace of the future.
The best way to support a transition to AI is to understand it for yourself and identify how it can contribute to your organization. Start by adopting AI into HR practices such as payroll, recruitment, or learning and development. For instance, AI can automate repetitive tasks in payroll, analyze resumes to identify the best candidates, or personalize learning and development programs based on individual needs. This will allow you to experiment and play around with AI-powered tasks and determine how your organization can best adopt this technology. This first-hand experience and the knowledge you gather will lend credibility to your efforts to foster an open environment in which to experiment and embrace AI.
Establish a learning and growth mindset within your company to support the AI rollout. In the AI era, continuous learning is not just a nice-to-have but a necessity. Work with experts in talent management for consumer goods to upskill current employees who are already culturally aligned, know how your business works, and have the preliminary skills required to collaborate with AI. Employees who feel encouraged to innovate and experiment will be more adaptable and accepting of new technologies and the changes that come with them.
Even in this era of automation, there are some things machines cannot replicate, including soft skills or the skills that make us human. Cultivating your employees’ soft skills, such as collaboration and critical thinking, in your employees will not only complement adopting AI technologies but also ensure their continued relevance in the workplace. HR services for SaaS companies can help you identify gaps in soft skills and design effective training programs specific to your organization’s needs.
With specialized talent management for consumer goods, you can bolster your change management efforts with training programs that support employees’ understanding and acceptance of AI. Help employees understand how AI can benefit operational efficiency and personal and professional growth. While the technology is being rolled out, train them to incorporate AI into their work.
Instead of automating the most apparent processes, identify areas that will benefit most from AI support. Experts in HR consulting for consumer goods and SaaS companies can help you analyze your current working methods and make recommendations based on existing inefficiencies. Then, you can apply AI, which will have the most significant impact and allow employees to work on tasks where they contribute the most value.
Involve your employees in the analysis stage to make them feel part of the process. Encourage them to think of ways that AI can support their work or areas that it could optimize.
From avoiding bias to ensuring inclusivity, HR teams play a critical role in AI technologies’ ethical deployment and management. Your HR team will need to implement regulations to ensure that your organization’s adoption of AI is efficient while still maintaining ethical and moral standards related to privacy, discrimination, and fairness. Among the many benefits of HR outsourcing for SaaS companies is access to experts well-versed in ethical and legal compliance and can minimize risks related to these areas.
As with any new technology, AI creates jobs and redefines our working methods. Adopting AI can be dark and full of obstacles, and your HR team plays a crucial role in guiding your organization’s journey. By acting as role models, prioritizing learning and innovation, and creating an ethical roadmap, HR teams can prepare themselves and their organizations for a successful crossing into the AI-powered future of work.
Want more help with getting your HR team ready for the AI-powered workforce? In addition to taxes, accounting, bookkeeping, and CFO services through its FinOps, Escalon’s Essential Business Services include PeopleOps (HR, benefits, recruiting, and payroll) and Risk (business insurance). Talk to an expert today.
Devika Hastak is a dynamic content writer who is passionate about using the power of the written word to promote knowledge sharing and drive business success. She is adept at crafting compelling content tailored to client objectives and successfully executing SEO strategies that significantly impact brand awareness and lead generation. When she’s not wielding her digital pen, you can find her conducting culinary experiments in the kitchen or enjoying a good laugh with her family and friends.
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