Future-Proofing HR with Artificial Intelligence

English author Douglas Adams, best known for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," once famously said, "Anything that's invented between when you're 15 and 35 is new and exciting and revolutionary, and you can probably get a career in it. Anything invented after you're 35 is against the natural order of things." 

No prizes for guessing the most revolutionary invention of recent times. Yes, Artificial Intelligence (AI)! The workforce of the future stands on the brink of transformation, where the integration of AI promises to usher in a new dimension of work. With automation taking over repetitive and mundane tasks across various industries, more creative, strategic, and value-added aspects of work will come into focus. 

However, does this imply that AI chatbots will be conducting your next performance appraisal? 

You never know! On a serious note, enterprises have already embarked on this transformative journey, adopting AI technologies to enhance various HR functions. A study by Gartner shows that 81% of HR leaders have explored or implemented artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to improve process efficiency within their organizations. And India is no exception. According to IBM’s Global AI Adoption Index 2022, 57% of IT professionals in the country report that their organization has actively deployed AI in their business, and over a quarter (27%) indicate that their organization is exploring the use of AI.  

Indeed, there's a lot that AI can do for talent teams, and it can commence even before the employee is hired. 

Recruitment Reinvented 

For one, recruitment, often referred to as the cornerstone of organizational growth, is undergoing a seismic shift in India and globally, thanks to AI integration. The conventional approach of sifting through countless resumes is evolving into an era of data-driven precision. This means AI algorithms can now rapidly analyze candidate profiles, skill sets, and cultural compatibility while reducing bias and enhancing diversity. That, however, does not mean that biases don’t exist in AI. In 2018, Amazon made headlines for discovering that their Machine Learning system was ‘sexist.’ This issue arose because Amazon's computer algorithms had been taught to assess applicants based on trends found in resumes received by the company over 10 years. As majority of these resumes were submitted by men, echoing the prevalent male presence within the tech field. Amazon then took steps to modify the algorithms, ensuring they were impartial to these specific biases. 

Data scientists, therefore, are investing heavily in making diverse data that eliminates any discrepancies. By doing so, AI-powered tools such as writing assistants can allow recruiters and hiring managers to create a hyper-tailored job description. This ensures candidates not only possess the required skills but also resonate with the company's values. At SAP, we already have AI capabilities that HR can leverage for future benefits. Many of these technologies have been seamlessly integrated into our HR processes and are providing us with data-driven insights for informed decision-making. A case in point would be the ‘Job Analyzer’ under SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting, designed to assist you in crafting the most effective job description by offering language and hireability recommendations. This unique capability is made possible by proprietary SAP Machine Learning techniques, combined with historical applicant data to determine any gender-biased language.  

But the integration of AI does not stop at hiring; it extends to streamlining the onboarding process. New hires receive tailored training modules curated by AI, fostering quicker assimilation into the company culture, and accelerating their productivity. 

Revolutionizing Learning & Development with AI-Driven Training and Chatbots 

Today, no matter which industry you belong to, working smarter is a requisite. India is a fountainhead of talent, but the country’s rapid digital evolution demands a perpetual learning mindset. This is where AI becomes a game-changer in nurturing skills. By analyzing employee data, AI identifies skill gaps within teams and prescribes personalized training programs. The result is a highly skilled workforce equipped to tackle the industry's shifting demands. What truly sets AI-driven training apart is its adaptability. As employees engage with learning materials, AI gauges their progress and modifies content to match their learning pace and proficiency. This adaptive approach not only ensures effective learning but also elevates engagement. 

Administrative tasks and paperwork, which can sometimes be a burden for HR departments, are being automated with the introduction of AI-powered chatbots. For instance, at SAP, we have the SAP Digital Assistant, a cutting-edge chatbot powered by AI and Natural Language Processing, designed to understand and respond to a wide range of user inquiries. It offers employees a human-like companion for self-service, eliminating the need for human intervention in most cases. In situations where it can't provide answers, a failback mechanism seamlessly manages escalations. This digital assistant is accessible on both web and mobile apps, providing a versatile platform for various employee and manager self-service scenarios, complete with guided workflows. 

In a diverse country like India, where languages and dialects vary widely, AI's language capabilities are a boon. Chatbots can understand and respond in multiple languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. 

Strengthening Company culture with AI:   

The transformation driven by AI is not just a global phenomenon; it's reshaping the very fabric of India’s HR landscape. From reinventing recruitment to enabling continuous skill enhancement, and from personalizing rewards to providing instant query resolution, AI's influence is profound. AI-powered technology is designed to expedite time-consuming manual processes, allowing recruiters to redirect their focus toward more valuable initiatives. Its purpose is not to replace humans, regardless of what some may wish to believe. It serves, ultimately, as an assistant. 

Those who seamlessly integrate AI into HR processes are not only securing a competitive edge in talent acquisition but are also cultivating a culture of growth and engagement that propels them to the forefront of the industry. The journey is ongoing, and we have only just begun.