AI Revolution: Powering Talent Acquisition and Organisational Growth

Artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI are reshaping the future of work, prompting Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) to explore how these technologies can enhance their HR functions and workforce operations. According to Evanta’s proprietary Leadership Perspective Survey, AI solutions have emerged as a priority investment area for many CHROs in 2024.

To delve deeper into this trend, another recent survey of 250 CHROs in Evanta communities captured their thoughts on AI and their progress toward AI adoption. A significant 87% of HR leaders expressed a positive outlook on the future of AI, with 60% having embarked on their AI journey –  whether by developing use cases, implementing AI solutions, or achieving measurable results. 

Despite this optimism, HR leaders have serious concerns regarding AI implementation. Notably, 70% cited data privacy concerns, and 69% expressed apprehension about managing AI usage within their workforce. Nevertheless, many CHROs conveyed a desire to "move quicker" and leverage AI more extensively than their organisations currently allow. 

In the Australia Community, CHROs are particularly focused on utilising AI to enhance skills across their organisations, as well as leveraging it for talent acquisition, and they convened for a town hall to discuss strategies for achieving these goals. During this interactive program, HR leaders shared insights on optimising HR processes across the talent lifecycle and implementing a skills-based talent strategy to drive workforce development.

The session was moderated by Allyson Skene, VP Global Product Vision and Experience at Workday. Discussion leaders included Kate Witenden, Chief People Officer at The Australian National University; Dora Peake, Group Director - People & Culture at Versent; Benjamin Morris, Group General Manager, Human Resources Culture & Capability at Mirvac; Anna Sparkes, Chief People Officer, Gilbert + Tobin; and Michelle Williams, Chief People Officer at The Lottery Corporation.

Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Navigating the Early Stages of AI Integration: Most organisations are in the early stages of integrating AI into their processes. CHROs are experimenting with AI tools and emphasised the importance of a cautious approach to ensure appropriate utilisation and alignment with organisational goals. They also acknowledge that the technology is still evolving, and continuous adaptation and learning are essential to fully harness AI's potential.
2. Focusing on Skills and Competencies: The conversation around skills was central, as they debated the difference between skills and competencies and how to verify them effectively. Some organisations dedicate entire departments to focus on skills development, while others are still defining how to incorporate this into their organisational structure. From a talent acquisition standpoint, one CHRO advised peers to think critically about the skills they aim to build rather than focus solely on job titles and descriptions.
3. Overcoming Challenges and Building a Case for AI: CHROs discussed the challenges presented by AI integration, particularly related to IT, legal, compliance, and governance, and they recognize that building a strong case for AI adoption involves demonstrating ROI and addressing these issues. One CHRO mentioned that a staged approach to implementation, starting with specific teams, can be a practical strategy.
4. Leveraging AI for Efficiency: For those who have implemented AI in talent acquisition, there have been noticeable improvements, such as reduced time-to-hire and enhanced candidate experiences. One CHRO shared that they have decreased hiring times by up to 75%. Another highlighted the impact AI has had on their success profile development, leading to successful outcomes.
5. Supporting Diversity with AI: Many CHROs expressed concerns about algorithmic biases and ensuring diversity among candidates. One HR leader is using an AI gender decoder to remove gender-coded language from job postings, which led to increased diversity of their candidate pools.

CHROs can continue this discussion on AI with peers at an upcoming Evanta community gathering. Evanta community members can sign in to MyEvanta to find events and register with one click. Not an Evanta member? Apply to join your local CHRO community to stay up to date on key topics for HR leaders.
 

by CHROs, for CHROs
 

Join the conversation with peers in your local CHRO community.