Artificial intelligence (AI) has streamlined many human resource processes. These sophisticated computer programs excel at recognizing patterns, planning, and adapting in ways that mimic human thought. Unlike people, however, who can grow tired, bored, or even bring unconscious biases into their decisions, AI programs are fast, tireless, and efficient.

AI is increasingly being used to automate many HR processes. Let’s consider seven ways AI improves efficiency in HR.

  1. Sifts through thousands of applications faster. Empty positions exhaust your existing workforce and hurt company morale. When it comes time to hire, it’s important to fill the position with the right person quickly.

Sorting through incoming resumes is an arduous task that’s prone to error when left to human beings. But AI can save HR departments up to 23 hours per hire by analyzing incoming applications and using sophisticated algorithms to assess and evaluate the applicants’ experience, knowledge, and skills.

  1. Increases retention rates and productivity by hiring more qualified candidates. Not only does AI speed up the candidate selection process and provide invaluable analysis, it also uses that data to help match candidate to the right jobs. AI algorithms can identify the traits of successful employees and look for candidates with similar characteristics for certain jobs.
  2. Reduces hiring biases. While discrimination in hiring is clearly against the law, HR personnel sometimes don’t realize they are allowing personal biases to creep into the hiring process. After all, we are only human. On the other hand, AI can disregard information regarding a candidate’s age, race, and gender. It also does not have any pre-conditioned biases for or against specific geographic areas, universities attended, or organizational affiliations. These factors might play a subconscious role in hiring decisions when humans are reading resumes. Using AI can reduce hiring bias and help create a more culturally diverse workplace.
  3. Streamlines employee onboarding. New hires typically have many questions regarding benefits, paid time off, and company policies. AI chatbots can answer these repetitive inquiries, freeing up HR personnel to handle tasks like training and office tours. AI can also assist with new hire paperwork, permitting new employees to get to work faster.
  4. Creates job descriptions. Today’s AI software can help recruiters craft the perfect job description. Programs like Textio recognize gender bias in ads, helping recruiters choose neutral language. Additionally, by comparing the language in an ad to previous ads that have worked well, AI software can help the writer craft prose to reach the desired candidates.
  5. Improves employee engagement and build better relationships. AI is not just useful in hiring, it can also enrich relationships with existing employees. From scheduling meetings to coaching employees, today’s AI technology streamlines common business processes and eliminates the chance of human error.
  6. Saves time with AI. AI helps recruiters and HR departments save time and increase efficiency. HR managers who do not use automation for tasks such as payroll, applicant tracking, training, job postings, and more say they lose an average of 14 hours a week completing these tasks manually. If your organization has not used AI software to automation at least some aspects of HR, you could be losing time and money.

Why HR Still Needs People

AI excels at tasks that rely on data processing and pattern recognition, completing these functions faster and more efficiently than human beings can, making it an incredibly valuable tool for automating many aspects of HR.

But the “human” aspect of human resources should not be neglected. From making the final hiring decisions to finding creative ways to keep workers engaged, HR directors know their employees and their organization in ways AI software doesn’t. AI automates repetitive tasks, giving HR team members more time to get to know employees, shape company culture, and address issues that crop up in the workplace.

Finally, not every employee is comfortable adopting unfamiliar technologies. HR staff can ease the transition to AI, showing employees how using AI in HR can help nearly everyone in the workplace become more productive and efficient.

Photo Credit: www.techroomage.com Flickr via Compfight cc

This article has been published on TalentCulture.