We have talked about how employees need to be the end-users of any innovation you tack on to your operations. We are now going to take that a step further and focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) specifically can help you meet the needs of your employees more effectively.
AI, in a business context, is all about using the maximum potential of all the data you have collected in your enterprise systems. It involves not only making certain tasks easier, but also gaining insights on how to improve several areas of your business for greater efficiency down the road.
Technological innovation is drawing an increasingly clear line from data to results. In other words, the better your data, the better your results. Notice how we said “better,” not “more” data. Yes, more data might give you a better shot at acquiring better insights, but AI is what bridges the gap between piles of data that might seem useless to truly actionable information.
One example of how AI can improve working conditions comes out of the practice of hiring new employees. With artificial intelligence, you have an opportunity to better learn what you are looking for when interviewing for a job. AI tools can parse through data from various sources to help you create profiles for your ideal candidates. It can also provide insight on how to best serve your current employees.
Here’s how AI can work with your Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to keep your business in top form.
How HRIS Benefits from Artificial Intelligence
When you think about all the information in an HRIS software platform, it is not a stretch to think of the possible lengths AI could go with it. Your HRIS contains everything including employee salaries, performance reviews, job history, medical information, addresses and more.
An HRIS makes the process of sifting through resumes faster and more effective. AI takes it up a notch by recognizing patterns in data. Either for your employees or new recruits, AI can help you better know what works and what doesn’t at your company.
In addition, the system contains company documents like handbooks, guidelines and legal papers. AI can look at this whole hodgepodge of information stored in the HRIS and connect it to the human element by giving you a way forward in decision making.
With AI ensuring information is consistent, there is less likely to be mistakes in payroll or other reporting. In hiring, specifically, it’s exciting to think about a future where you no longer have to manually sign physical documents through the hiring process.
Another benefit of an AI-powered HRIS will be greater democratization of HR-related matters for employees. HR professionals can remain the custodians of that information without diving too deep into employees’ personal lives or spending an entire day answering questions that could be solved by a simple search or conversation with a chat bot. Employees can manage their time, pay, benefits and other issues more independently than before.
Now, here are a few key, practical ways AI will be instrumental in your information systems down the road.
1. COVID-19 Tracking
One of the biggest things that has changed in today’s working world is the addition of masks. COVID-19 continues to spread, and companies are looking for solutions to pull their weight in preventing it.
A smarter human resources platform would catch wind of the latest regulation around masks, turn around and email employees with any updates to the company’s policy.
This is one way AI can make it more manageable to look out for employee health and wellness.
Beyond that, employers can send reminders about fitness programs or anything that promotes the physical well-being of employees in timely fashion.
2. Understanding a New Generation
Gen-Z, or the “Tik Tok” generation, are becoming adults. As they join the workforce, businesses will have to adapt their guidelines and culture to meet a workforce starkly different from any prior.
Employers will be challenged with getting to know these prospects and adjusting at a fast rate. With artificial intelligence, information systems may be able to track Gen-Z employees in real time to get a clearer picture of their preferences for flexibility, culture, pay, etc.
This is reportedly a much harder-working generation than the last two— some studies show 58% are willing to work weekends for higher pay. That’s also coming from a generation already steeped in digital technologies, where “content creator” or “influencer” is the new “rock star.”
The culture is also growing increasingly concerned with social issues and authenticity. With the help of technologies to observe how young employees interact with the company, guidelines and messaging can be adapted in real time to meet new standards.
3. Uniting Your Gig Workers
The gig economy is changing industry as we know. We’re going from more centralized, hierarchal corporations of lifelong employees to a scattered web of temporary “as-needed” workers to fill certain roles.
This is more efficient, of course, because you would not keep someone in-house for a job that only takes a few weeks.
The problem arising from a growing gig economy is that it is more scattered, not a traditional chain of command. Technology can help unify those seemingly scattered areas of work.
AI can help human resources systems improve tracking workers from different places through cloud computing. It can organize and update company policy to comply with regulations around gig workers.
It can also speed up the hiring of gig workers, as it can gather information and expound on what makes an ideal candidate for your company based on previous employees and needs.
Conclusion
Adapting to COVID-19 and Gen-Z are huge factors in determining whether a company survives or thrives in the digital age to come.
This will require rapid, but precise, transition to a digital model of work, adapting to artificial intelligence and cloud solutions that best serve employees and customers.
It starts with knowing who you are as a company, which you can’t really do without having the right people.
Newman’s International Associates (NIA) is a team of international IT veterans who want to usher in the digital age by matching the best teams with the best talent.
To learn more about how you can adapt your workforce to the latest trends, contact NIA today.
