In late 2023, HR tech analyst firm Valoir collaborated with Human Resource Executive® to study the challenges confronting HR leaders as they integrate AI within their enterprises. The result is a report released this month called Is HR Ready for AI?
Valoir’s findings confirm that while HR functions were generally early adopters of AI and automation, many organizations are deficient in the necessary “policies, practices and training” required to safely and efficiently implement AI for their teams and the organization.
This report includes insights from over 150 HR executives from diverse organizations about their intentions to adopt AI-driven HR technologies, as well as their perceptions of the potential advantages and drawbacks associated with AI implementation.
Only 16% of organizations surveyed say their organizations have a policy regarding employee use of generative AI, with even fewer having policies addressing the ethical implications of generative artificial intelligence. Regarding AI training, only 14% of companies have implemented policies for the effective use of AI. In comparison, 8% have established programs for developing workers whose roles may be replaced by AI.
The study also found that HR leaders think that AI will drive the most opportunity in the areas of recruiting, learning and development, and talent management—but these are also the areas that pose the most risk.
Valoir advises that HR leaders now must balance risk to reap the benefits of AI, gen AI in particular. The next steps involve selecting reliable vendors and technologies and establishing comprehensive policies, procedures, safeguards and training programs for both HR staff and the broader workforce.
According to Valoir, ethical AI usage policies should align with organizational values and accommodate varying tech literacy levels and job impacts. Tailored training programs focused on empowering employees, reducing bias and promoting critical thinking are necessary, along with strategies for supporting at-risk employee groups.
Researchers found that effective communication between HR and the workforce is essential for fostering trust and maximizing AI policies that support data privacy and security while being flexible enough to adapt as the technology evolves.
Read the full report here to learn more.
HR tech updates
There’s always a lot happening in the world of HR tech, but this week, my inbox was bursting with interesting news. AI-powered releases, important people moves, intriguing acquisitions and funding rounds are all part of the rundown.
Paradox: New CEO
Conversational recruiting software company Paradox announced the elevation of Adam Godson from president and chief product officer to CEO. Meanwhile, company founder Aaron Matos has transitioned to executive chairman.
According to a release, Godson started his career as an HR practitioner and was the chief technology officer at AI-enabled recruiting platform Cielo before onboarding at Paradox in 2020. During his time with Paradox, the organization grew significantly, adding hundreds of clients and earning multiple HR Executive Product of the Year awards.
iCIMS: Winter release
iCIMS unveiled its winter release mid-month, introducing a generative AI-powered recruiting assistant to boost talent acquisition efficiency. Additionally, customers learned about iCIMS Apply Network, an ecosystem of third-party job sites and partners—such as ZipRecruiter and Jobcase—under the iCIMS umbrella. The integration with additional partners such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Veritone Hire and Dalia is anticipated later this year.
Lattice: AI Day
Through Lattice AI, managers receive recommendations for employee performance reviews based on various factors such as goals, feedback and areas for growth. Additionally, Lattice’s upcoming AI Engagement Insights feature, set to launch later this month, is designed to reduce the time burden of measuring employee engagement by analyzing open-ended survey responses, identifying trends and generating actionable recommendations for HR teams. See the recent AI Day presentation for commentary from Lattice CEO Sarah Franklin.
Udemy: GenAI skills pack
Education technology company Udemy released its GenAI skills pack, aimed at supporting organizations worldwide in adopting and implementing generative AI skills. Drawing from over 1,700 gen AI courses on its platform, Udemy has consolidated content into structured learning paths for leaders and professionals across technical and business domains, including human resources.
Oracle: New features
This week at Oracle CloudWorld London, participants were briefed on the latest developments in the Oracle Fusion Applications Suite, highlighting new generative AI features, including capabilities for HR teams. Additionally, Oracle unveiled Data Intelligence, empowering users to make more informed talent decisions by integrating data-driven insights with AI-driven actions. Oracle also announced the introduction of payroll support in HCM for Ireland.
Solera: Integration with AON
Health tech platform Solera has partnered with Aon to streamline healthcare analysis for employers, facilitating personalized healthcare for employees. By combining Solera’s condition management platform with Aon’s predictive analytics, employers can identify and engage “high-risk employees” effectively, according to a release. Aon will integrate Solera’s data with employers’ medical and pharmacy data to evaluate health outcomes and assess the ROI of healthcare services utilized by employees.
Remofirst: Series A funding
Remofirst, an HR solution for global talent acquisition, has secured $25 million in Series A funding. Octopus Ventures spearheaded the round, joined by existing investors QED, Mouro Capital and Counterpart Ventures. Remofirst specializes in enabling businesses to compliantly onboard an international workforce across more than 180 countries through its comprehensive Employer of Record and International Contractor solutions.
Empathy: Series B funding
Empathy, a unique platform designed to relieve grief and loss, has disclosed a $47 million Series B funding round. The platform provides an enterprise plan for employers to offer bereavement support to their workforce.
Index Ventures led the investment and was joined by General Catalyst, Entrée Capital, Latitude and Brewer Lane. Additionally, major life insurance carriers—including Allianz, MassMutual Ventures, MetLife and others—have invested.
Accenture: Udacity acquisition
Accenture has introduced Accenture LearnVantage, which aims to equip workers with essential skills for an AI-driven economy. With a $1 billion investment, this program covers training from specialized AI and data science to gen AI for C-suite executives. To bolster its capabilities, Accenture has acquired digital education platform Udacity, adding over 230 experts to its team. This solution is supported by tech partners such as AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft, which will contribute industry-relevant content and certifications.
More from HRE
Paulo Pisano, executive vice president and CHRO of Booking Holdings and chief people officer of Booking.com, recently shared with HRE how he envisions tech and talent working together to drive success at the intersection of the technology and travel industries.
Mercer’s Jason Averbook writes about FOBO—fear of becoming obsolete. It’s the unsettling feeling that the rapid advancements in technology, particularly AI, might outpace our ability to keep up, potentially sidelining our careers. Get his expert advice.
You’re invited to join your global HR tech industry peers at HR Tech Europe 2024, May 2-3 at RAI, Amsterdam. Discover all the trends, tools, technology and insights to take your HR tech strategies beyond best practices—all in one spot. Sign up now.
