Last week, we discussed how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the widespread adoption of generative AI (GenAI), has transformed the traditional HR functions across the six stages of the employee lifecycle. Many professionals want to understand what roles still remain for humans in HR.
The Big Question
Reflecting on our personal and professional experiences, my co-author, Dr. R.L. Fernando Garcia, and I reviewed the relevant literature and industry reports to answer:
How can HR professionals sustain their critical role in the organization when AI is transforming traditional HR functions?
The Answers
We provided our answers to the question in our recent article published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Our reflection reveals that AI adoption does not diminish HR’s importance. Instead, AI will redefine the HR profession. HR professionals must strengthen the areas that AI cannot replace while embracing new responsibilities that emerge from AI integrations, with three pathways:
- Deepen human-centered expertise – Skills in empathy, cultural sensitivity, ethics, and conflict resolution remain uniquely human and will continue differentiate HR from machines. For instance, HR must actively listen to employees' concerns to show empathy. They must also enhance their cultural sensitivity by participating in diversity and inclusion training. These areas will continue to differentiate HR professionals from machines.
- Lead responsible AI adoption – HR is increasingly responsible for supervising AI platforms, auditing bias, ensuring data ethics, and aligning AI outputs with organizational culture. This means HR professionals need to be vigilant in identifying and addressing any biases in AI algorithms, ensuring that AI is used in an ethical manner, and making sure that AI outputs align with the values and culture of the organization.
- Expand strategic influence – Liberated from routine administrative work, HR can now concentrate on shaping organizational culture, workforce planning, and talent development. This shift positions HR as a strategic partner, wielding significant influence in the organization's trajectory.
How Can HR Professionals Remain Irreplaceable?
HR professionals are not in a race against AI, nor should they fear being replaced by it. Instead, they should focus on leveraging their uniquely human skills, such as empathy and cultural sensitivity, to ensure that technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human side of work.
Now, let's reflect: Which uniquely human skills are most valuable in our HR team or organization? How prepared are we and today’s HR professionals to supervise and manage AI responsibility?
Stay tuned for another highlight of the answers to RQ3 next week --- What research questions can be addressed to support organizations and HR professionals in a new GenAI-empowered work environment?
Note: The picture was generated by ChatGPT.
It is no question that AI is extremely helpful in many different ways, most especially in the HR department where it can improve hiring decisions, analyze employee performance or enhance employee experience. This article makes a great point in emphasizing how AI, however, cannot replace human skills such as empathy and cultural sensitivity. As mentioned in our textbook, the HR department now focuses on developing employees. With that, the uniquely human skills most valuable in our HR team would be the care and motivation that only a human can provide. I believe that AI is still on the rise, but today’s HR professionals are more than ready to manage AI responsibility because I agree with what was mentioned in the article, HR professionals are in no competition against AI but can simultaneously work with it for the good of an organization.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really smart and eye-opening article. AI is not the enemy, it’s actually a door to endless opportunities. I loved the point that AI will not eliminate HR, it will redefine it. HR should focus on what machines can’t do: empathy, ethics, understanding people, and emotional intelligence.
ReplyDeleteBefore AI, HR managers were overloaded with administrative work. Now, AI can handle those repetitive tasks with human supervision, which gives HR professionals more time to shape company culture, improve retention, and focus on people’s well-being. I really believe that a healthy balance between AI and humans could make HR stronger than ever. After all, HR still stands for human resources, and that human touch will always matter most.
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ReplyDeleteThis article, in my opinion, makes a strong case for how AI is changing HR tasks rather than taking their place. The three paths, deepening human-centered expertise, leading responsible AI adoption and expanding strategic influence, explain how HR professionals can continue to be essential in an AI-driven workplace, in my opinion. I especially value the emphasis on cultural sensitivity, ethics and empathy as fundamental human traits that technology cannot duplicate. These abilities, in my opinion, will determine the future worth of human resources since those who can successfully strike a balance between ethical responsibility and technological innovation will be essential in creating long-lasting corporate cultures.
ReplyDeleteElsa Gerges
Q: Which uniquely human skills are most valuable in our HR team or organization?
ReplyDeleteMy Answer: One of the most valuable human skills is face-to-face communication with others. I feel this is an important skill for not just the HR team but also the organization as a whole. Without proper communication or talking in general, it would be quite difficult to get the necessary tasks completed and for the workplace to run smoothly. Additionally, having face-to-face interactions can strengthen relationships in the workplace by building trust with others and creating a sense of belonging for employees in the workplace. Another valuable human skill that technology, such as AI, is unable to replicate includes emotional intelligence. The ability to understand the emotions of others is important for an organization in order to fully resolve conflicts or figure out solutions to difficult problems. Finally, creativity and adaptability are also valuable skills in our organization. Creativity gives people the ability to create new ideas and approach situations from a different perspective. Adaptability also allows people to think quickly on their feet and make the necessary changes to navigate difficult challenges and continue working efficiently.
I completely agree with the article explaining how human interaction is irreplaceable particularly in the hospitality field. There is no world where I ever see a person wanting to speak to a machine rather than another human being, especially if the individual is seeking some type of information. Allowing AI to complete simple repetitive tasks very much helps the workplace, however it should never be used to replace a physical employee. Having a strong sense of empathy is key, machines have no emotions and lack the understanding quality that people have the ability to use during human interactions. Those experiences are what make companies memorable, furthermore emphasizing why it is so important for people to have face to face contact.
ReplyDeleteI really like this perspective! It’s clear that AI isn’t here to replace HR but to transform how HR operates. Skills like empathy, cultural sensitivity, and ethical decision-making are uniquely human and can’t be replicated by machines. I agree that HR professionals should focus on supervising AI, checking for bias, and ensuring technology aligns with the company’s culture and values. Freeing HR from routine administrative tasks also gives them the chance to be more strategic, shaping organizational culture, workforce planning, and talent development. This really highlights that the human side of HR will always be irreplaceable, even as AI becomes more widely adopted.
ReplyDeleteLeah Little
The article makes very compelling points arguing that rather than worrying about Ai replacing its work, HR professionals should focus on how they can leverage ai in the work place. This allows HR managers to focus on the human aspect of the job with everyday interactions with employees and long term company goals. To answer the question what uniquely human skills are most valuable to an HR professional, I believe it is the ability to interact with employees on a deep emotional level. As an HR professional there are times when tough convocations will arise in the work place and it is your job to mediate and be abele to connect with employees on a personal level that requires a humans touch that ai can not replace.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, our main focus on our uniquely human skills is the ability to interact with other humans and being able to understand them as a person and decide if they are able to be a good fit in the company. Even being able to understand others is so unique that AI can't actually replicate it as only the human aspect of HR can fully sympathize with others regarding this post. So even if AI can make HR a whole lot more accessible and easier to maintain, it does not take away what is unique and most important in the HR management which is our ability to understand and being sensitive and vulnerable to others and being understanding to their problems and situations.
ReplyDeleteI think that the human touch will never be replaced. Some of the skills that a human brings is emotion such as empathy and creativity. As an employee, one looks for that relationship for support and mentorship. I believe that is something that is irreplaceable by AI because it involves the presence of a human. Like mentioned in the article, the HR department AI will not replace the HR position, it will enhance the job. I think incorporating AI is a great idea because it is a tool that is impacting everyone and is continuing to grow. This will also lead to the HR department changing focus possibly, which will positively impact a company, as they will focus on their employees more one on one and have the opportunity for more improvements and projects. AI can help generate creative ideas but it takes a human for an idea that is original. I believe we need to prepare more before fully making the complete switch with AI.
ReplyDelete-Denise Guerrero
HR professionals can remain irreplaceable for the simple fact that they are human. There are functions AI can assist with, causing this need for a redefinition of the role "HR professional", however, AI cannot replace human experience. HR professionals have the ability to share emotions like empathy with guests, which AI can't do. Yes, AI may be able to craft a sentence that easily addresses someone's needs, however, it can't connect with a human. When guests - espesically older guests - have an issue in need of addressing, a professional can not only resolve the issue but show care and empathy through expression, tone, and body language.
ReplyDeleteHalo Hubbard