I’ve been getting lots of requests for predictions this time of year, and it’s been an absolute whirlwind of a year in our industry. AI is everywhere all at once—and we’re only just beginning to see how much it can do in HR and talent.
After 15 years tracking innovation cycles in HR technology and research trends in talent, I can honestly say I have never seen things move as fast (or as dramatically) as they have in the 24 months.
We are, quite literally, at the cusp of total and complete transformation of how HR and talent functions operate. And I’m not sure we’re quite ready for it.
Here’s why: For the last three years Aptitude Research surveyed HR and talent leaders about the greatest obstacles they face when it comes to the adoption of AI, and the leading response every year has been gaps in the HR organization’s understanding of AI and automation.
Figure 1 – Obstacles to Adoption of AI in HR, 2024
But the future of HR is undeniably intertwined with AI. As we look to 2024 and beyond, AI is poised to become the largest area of tech investment within HR, with 61% of organizations planning to increase their AI investments this year. While the opportunities presented by AI are vast, however, the pace of innovation has far outstripped the guidance and clarity many HR leaders need to confidently determine where and how to utilize AI.
And in the absence of established best practices, the potential pitfalls AI presents to HR—issues like the introduction of bias, lack of workforce readiness, lack of clear ROI—are stalling HR innovation at a pivotal moment. Lacking technical expertise and AI literacy, more and more HR and talent teams are being relegated to the stakeholder seat when it comes to AI and tech innovation.
My big question—and something I’ve been talking about with HR, talent, and tech execs all year—is, “How can we ensure the ethical, effective, and equitable use of AI in HR if HR doesn’t have a seat at the AI table?”
So… Yeah. It’s clear that AI will play a central role in the evolution of HR, but I’m worried that we’re headed down a path where HR leaders and talent professionals are offering input from the sidelines when it comes to how we utilize these rapidly evolving capabilities.
In a perfect world, we are working closely with our colleagues in IT, Legal, Compliance, and Operations to ensure AI is implemented and adopted in a way that serves the needs of businesses, the well-being of the workforce, and the fair and equitable treatment of candidates. But in reality, HR is increasingly relegated to the stakeholder’s seat–that decisions about how AI is adopted are being made by others. And now, more than ever, it’s critical that HR is in the driver’s seat.
So what are we going to do about it?
Announcing Aptitude’s Human-Centric AI Council (HCAIC)
Today, I’m excited to share we’re embarking on our own HCAI Initiative with the launch of a new program: the Aptitude HCAIC, a deeply collaborative, practical, and forward-thinking effort dedicated to supporting HR leaders in the responsible, ethical, and effective utilization of AI in HR.
Whereas we’ve hosted Research Councils in the past—bringing HR and talent execs and consultants together to shape and inform Aptitude’s Research agenda—this is a more focused effort dedicated to empowering HR and talent teams in the evaluation, implementation, and utilization of AI.
We believe AI should augment human workers and enhance human experiences—not displace human workers or over-automate important interactions. And who is better to inform and share best practices in this way than talent, HR, and technology leaders who have experience doing these things?
To ensure that AI technologies in the HR space are human-centric—prioritizing workforce well-being, fairness, equity, and productivity as we embrace the future of work.
Our Council is founded on three core principles: leadership, trust, and accountability. We’re starting strong with 10 founding members, all exec-level HR and talent practitioners who have been navigating these challenges and opportunities firsthand in global enterprise organizations.
At the heart of this Council is a commitment to ensuring that AI solutions are developed with human-centric values in mind. We want to move beyond just making HR processes more efficient—we want to ensure that AI enhances HR stakeholder experiences (candidates, employees, etc.), fosters equitable people practices and processes, and drives positive organizational outcomes.
As we move forward, our Council will focus on creating a framework for ethical AI practices, which will include establishing clear guidelines and standards for vendors and practitioners alike. By leading the way in this space, we aim to raise the bar for AI solutions that will have a lasting, positive impact on both the workforce and the organizations that rely on them.
It’s a mighty effort we’re undertaking—and we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re also thrilled to announce our initial underwriter, GoodTime, whose support will help us get things off the ground. Together, we have spent the last couple of months assembling a collective of visionary and expert practitioner leaders who are committed to ensuring that AI in HR doesn’t just drive exceptional results, but also aligned with the values of fairness and inclusivity.
To kick off this exciting initiative, we’ll be hosting our inaugural “Session Zero,” where we’ll workshop the HCAIC’s first-year agenda. This session will bring together our founding members to identify key challenges in the AI adoption process, crowdsource best practices, and create a roadmap for the future for this effort.
Together, we’ll lay the foundation for an initiative that will (hopefully) help to shape how our industry approaches the integration and augmentation of AI into HR.
Ramping Up: What’s Next for Aptitude’s HCAIC
The HCAIC’s mission is not about regulation or lobbying—though these will be important efforts for our industry in the future. Rather, we’re more focused on empowering HR and talent leaders with the knowledge, tools, and connections to utilize AI responsibly and effectively. This Council’s value is built on collaboration, education, and practical guidance to ensure AI enhances the human elements of human capital and talent management
As part of our ongoing efforts, we’ll host virtual- and in-person meetings to connect, build relationships, discuss emerging topics, and set the agenda for our quarterly summits. These quarterly deep-dive sessions will tackle specific issues including discussions of what’s working, what’s not, and what we need to get ahead of, and will also identify opportunities for co-innovation between solution providers—on their own and with their partners.
We’ll also host “town hall” webinars to share notes with our colleagues, produce annual white papers to share key insights, highlight emerging best practices, and offer guidance on the most critical AI and HR trends. Our work will culminate in quarterly memos that share the Council’s perspective with the wider industry.
A Call to Action for HR and Talent Leaders: Join Us
The shift toward AI-powered HR is not just a trend—it’s a movement, a snowball effect that is already reshaping the way we work. We are inviting HR and Talent leaders, Technology and Change Management experts, and HR solution providers in Tech, Consulting, and Services to join us as we navigate this transformative journey. By coming together, we can ensure that HR isn’t just a stakeholder but a driving force in the conversation about how AI will shape the workforce of tomorrow.
Together, we believe we can create a future where AI is not only powerful but human-centric, where innovation is guided by ethical standards, and where HR has a clear and confident voice in shaping the technologies that are transforming the industry.
Join us in leading the way forward. Help us ensure that AI in HR serves people—not just processes. The time to lead from the practitioner’s seat is now.
