The AI revolution is upon us, poised to change the way we live and work beyond our current comprehension. Its impact is rippling across sectors, compelling businesses to adapt swiftly. In fact, PERSOLKELLY’s 2024 APAC Workforce Insights Report, titled ‘Future workplace: Opportunities and Adversities in AI’, found that 80% of Asia Pacific (APAC) employers currently already use AI, or are considering it.
There is a widespread understanding that AI represents the most significant productivity advance of our time. However, with that also comes implications on our people. According to Forrester, by 2040, automation could cause 63 million jobs to disappear in the five biggest economies in APAC (India, China, South Korea, Australia and Japan). From restructuring workflows to upskilling employees, evolution is now a strategic necessity for companies in APAC to navigate the shifting employment terrain.
In this equation, HR cannot be overlooked. HR acts as the implementers who ensure smooth transition by addressing employee concerns, training needs, and managing change in workplace AI. Furthermore, HR is key in establishing ethical guidelines and practices, ensuring AI applications are fair and transparent.
Here are five tips for HR professionals to ensure that their organisation remains agile, resilient and ready to succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by AI.
1. Embrace that AI is here to stay
It is fair to say that businesses cannot afford to ignore this trend if they want to remain relevant. Rather than looking at AI as a ‘job-stealer’, recognise that AI is more than just a technology; it is a strategic investment that can reshape operations, customer experiences and competitiveness.
From PERSOLKELLY’s report, companies are adopting AI technology to harvest benefits such as increasing efficiency (51%), increasing productivity (44%), reducing operational costs and increasing cost-efficiency (35%), reducing the risk of human error (32%) and staying competitive in the market (29%).
Embracing AI enables HR professionals to remain level-headed and make informed choices, improve recruitment strategies, enhance employee development programs, and ultimately drive organisational growth.
2. Cultivate AI literacy among employees
Insights from a recent survey by Amazon Web Services points to a growing demand for AI skills across various industries in APAC. Hence, developing a comprehensive understanding of AI applications and implications for workforce dynamics is essential for keeping your employees ahead. This also makes your company more attractive to potential employees.
A starting point could be to familiarise employees with popular AI tools: consider ChatGPT for brainstorming, Perplexity for research, Otter.AI for meeting transcription and Quillbot to language checks in critical emails and reports. That said, it is important to differentiate between AI hype and reality. Employees need to stay informed about the latest AI developments and make decisions based on facts. Avoid following trends that don’t align with business objectives or deliver tangible benefits. HR professionals can assist by conducting workshops or disseminating internal memos or EDMs to encourage learning in this area.
3. Develop an AI ready workforce
According to a survey by Skillsoft, companies based in APAC recognise the importance of upskilling employees to stay competitive through digital transformation. HR professionals are the key to fostering this organisational culture in the AI era.
PERSOLKELLY’s report reveal that the top three strategies for bridging the skill gap to implement technology include internal upskilling (18%), training and knowledge sharing for AI-related skills (14%) and supporting employees in obtaining AI certification/education (14%).
In addition to upskilling employees, attracting AI-specialised talents is crucial. However, the same report found that only 10% of companies would hire individuals with necessary AI skills, and only 8% would partner with staffing companies that specialise in sourcing talent familiar with technology they need. HR professionals need to tap on this under-utilised talent pool for companies to leverage the maximum potential of AI.
By adopting a holistic strategy that encompasses both upskilling initiatives and recruiting AI experts, HR teams can equip organisations with the necessary workforce to thrive in an AI-driven environment.
4. Prioritise ethical AI practices
Ethical considerations are paramount in the adoption of AI technologies within HR functions. HR professionals must prioritise fairness and accountability when deploying AI-driven tools for recruitment, performance evaluation, and decision-making processes.
According to Workday, building trust through ethical AI practices is the key to realising AI’s full potential in organisations. Having recognised the need for a unified strategy to foster trust, ASEAN developed the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics to help organisations deploy AI with mindfulness of its impacts on society, privacy and human rights. This guide serves as a starting point for HR functions to develop a nuanced and ethical approach to AI that aligns with their organisation’s values and goals.
By adhering to ethical AI practices, HR professionals can mitigate bias, promote diversity, and uphold the trust of employees.
5. Amplify the human touch
While AI technologies offer efficiency and automation, they cannot replace the human touch. HR professionals must prioritise empathy, interpersonal relationships, and employee well-being amidst technological advancements.
According to PwC Asia, cultivating an inclusive workplace culture is the key to retaining talent, boosting productivity and performance, and maintaining employee’s well-being. Hence, it is crucial for HR professionals to continue fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace to mitigate any sense of loss or apprehension employees may encounter with the advent of AI.
AI anxiety is becoming alarmingly prevalent in recent years. Between concerns about technological skill gap and being displaced by AI, many employees are left feeling uneasy about prospects at work. This underscores the importance for HR practitioners to strengthen employee engagement and boost morale for long-term organisational success.
The rise of new AI technologies offers significant opportunities for businesses, yet they also encounter specific challenges in APAC. Reaping the most out of this situation demands a holistic approach, collaboration with stakeholders and investment in talent development, as well as infrastructure and ethical frameworks. HR professionals are at the forefront of this change, ensuring that employees receive due attention as companies navigate the complexities of integrating AI into the workplace.
About the author
Ken Tan, Director, Specialised Contracting (Head of Division) and Head of Sales for PERSOLKELLY
An experienced professional with more than 17 years of experience in the HR solutioning industry, Ken currently holds a dual portfolio of the Head of Sales and the Head of Specialized Contracting Divisions, which include Technology, Engineering and Healthcare manpower solutions. He is proficient in strategic client management with proven track records in HR solutioning for various multi-national companies.
