Editorial
We’ve all witnessed significant changes in the workforce over the past few years, from evolving return-to-office mandates to the Great Resignation and the mainstream adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI), causing individuals around the world to shift the way they think about work. In this dynamic environment, no matter where or how employees work, their expectations have changed, making it crucial to keep them engaged and productive from anywhere.
At the same time, leaders remain laser focused on maintaining operational efficiency. Many are trying to grow and scale responsibly, which means understanding the skills they need for today and for the future. Organizations are on a mission to upskill and reskill their workforce, attract and retain top talent and optimize the solutions, resources and people they have.
This begs the question: How can organizations truly shape future-ready workforces? The answer is AI.
Understanding the AI Effect: How the Proliferation of AI is Changing Roles
As more and more organizations adopt AI technology, everyone needs to grasp how it impacts their work. By 2030, “activities that account for up to 30% of hours currently worked across the U.S. economy could be automated — a trend accelerated by generative AI,” according to McKinsey.
Consider a marketing team that uses GenAI to write the first draft of an ad campaign. Their copywriters then become copy editors. Or a software engineer who uses GenAI to write code now reviews the code as a quality engineer.
The reality is that GenAI will boost productivity and transform many jobs that exist today. It’ll reshape job requirements and responsibilities, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks. Individuals who want to thrive in this new environment must proactively engage in learning and upskilling to prepare for the widespread adoption of AI. But they don’t have to do it alone.
Understanding that AI is coming fast, many organizations are already starting to prepare. They’re implementing training, guidelines and policies to ensure their teams know how to use GenAI safely and efficiently. And they’re identifying roles that will be augmented by AI and upskilling affected employees into new roles.
See more: 5 Ways AI Is Changing Jobs
From Role-Centric to AI Skill-Centric Hiring
The traditional approach to hiring, centered around roles and responsibilities, has undergone a significant transformation since the rise of AI. Hiring decisions used to be primarily based on a candidate's work history and educational background. However, AI is steering organizations toward a more forward-thinking and inclusive approach that places an emphasis on skills.
In AI-driven hiring, organizations can get a clear view into the skills needed for success in a given role, allowing for a match between a candidate's skills and the specific demands of a position. This isn’t only for technical skills. Organizations can leverage technologies to evaluate soft skills, such as engagement, tone, verbal skills and more.
Concerns exist about AI contributing to bias in recruiting, but it also has the potential to minimize bias in hiring decisions. Unlike the unconscious bias of a human, if AI demonstrates bias, it can be identified, trained and corrected. AI can also play a role in promoting equity in the job market by improving the discoverability of candidates. It does so not just by considering their current skills, but also by assessing their related skills and potential.
See more: What HR Professionals Need to Know Before Investing in AI
Building an AI Talent Pipeline From Within
Creating a strong talent pipeline is a crucial strategy for organizations looking to excel. It's not just about external hiring. Organizations need to nurture, develop and hire talent from within. The companies that do will win. The rise of internal talent marketplaces is nothing new for many organizations. But the adoption of AI tools and technology is making these talent marketplaces smarter, guaranteeing a consistent flow of skilled professionals.
Leveraging AI, organizations can identify employees within the company who possess the right skills or can be upskilled to fill certain roles. This not only streamlines the recruitment process, but also promotes a culture of internal mobility, employee growth and retention, while helping companies save costs. Employees are more likely to stay engaged when they see clear pathways for career progression within the organization, and AI enables companies to tap into this valuable internal talent pool. Employees who move internally have a 64% chance of remaining with an organization after three years, according to LinkedIn. That number drops to 45% for employees who haven’t moved internally.
See more: How AI Can Help Map Your Talent
Leveraging AI for Continuous Employee Improvement
The journey doesn't end with hiring and developing existing talent; it extends to continuous improvement. AI is a valuable tool in promoting a culture of continuous learning and development within the organization, especially when it comes to optimizing performance reviews.
Generative AI can analyze performance data and previous feedback, identify key strengths and areas for improvement and distill the information into concise summaries for managers with personalized recommendations. This capability streamlines the performance review process, simplifies the work of managers who are already overburdened and helps ensure feedback is data-driven and based on past performance — not assumptions.
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AI can also play a role in creating new and unique courses for employees. GenAI can create customized training content that addresses specific skill gaps and business needs. This ensures that learning initiatives are directly aligned with organizational objectives, enhancing the overall impact of learning and development programs.
The integration of AI in hiring and employee development marks a significant shift in how organizations approach workforce management. By embracing AI, organizations can enhance their ability to identify, attract and retain individuals with the right blend of skills — fostering a workforce that is not only technologically adept, but also diverse, adaptable and well-prepared for the challenges of the future.
See more: How Companies Can Get Employees on Board With the New Wave of AI
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