Top Shelf Take: AI Is Changing the Workforce. Is HR Ready for What Comes Next?

[00:00:03] [SPEAKER_01] Welcome to Top Shelf Take from SpeakEasy HR, presented by Payroll Partners. This is a quick take to cover one topic, share one perspective and give you one takeaway. And now your host, David Noe.

[00:00:19] [SPEAKER_00] Hey there and cheers to you. Welcome to another Top Shelf Take from SpeakEasy HR, presented by Payroll Partners. I'm David Noe, HR leader with 20 years of experience, content creator, recruiter and host of SpeakEasy HR. If you're new here, this is a quick take where we cover one topic, share one perspective and give you one takeaway. So let's get into it.

[00:00:41] [SPEAKER_00] Let me ask you a question. When your company starts talking about AI, who's in the room? IT? Operations? Finance? Most likely all of those. But what about HR? Because here's the thing. AI just isn't changing the technology we use. It's changing the work we do, skills we need, the way we hire and potentially

[00:01:03] [SPEAKER_00] the jobs people will hold in the jobs people will hold in the future. And if HR isn't part of that conversation from the beginning, we could find ourselves in a world of trouble trying to manage the people impact of decisions that we had no role in making. And that's not where we want to be. So today we're talking about AI, the changing workforce and why HR needs to be ready for what's coming next. So let's be honest. There's a lot of excitement around AI and for good reason.

[00:01:32] [SPEAKER_00] It could help us work faster, automate repetitive tasks, analyze information and free people up to focus on work that requires human judgment, creativity and connection. But there's another side to this conversation. What happens when the skills required for a job change?

[00:01:49] [SPEAKER_00] What happens when certain tasks disappear? New roles emerge and employees feel like the technology they're being asked to use could eventually replace them. And perhaps most importantly, who's helping leaders think through those questions? That's where HR needs to step up.

[00:02:07] [SPEAKER_00] So I'm going to give you three things that HR should be thinking about right now. First, get involved early. Don't wait until the technology has been selected, implementation plans finalized and the organization is ready to roll it out. HR should be at the table when leaders are discussing AI strategy because every technology decision has a people component. That means understanding how roles might change, which skills will become more valuable and where employees may need support.

[00:02:35] [SPEAKER_00] Second, start thinking about skills, not just jobs. Instead of asking only which jobs might AI change, we should be asking what will our people need to be successful as the work changes? This means identifying skill gaps, investing in learning and development and helping employees build the capabilities they'll need for the future.

[00:02:57] [SPEAKER_00] And let's not forget the human skills that matter just as much, if not more. Critical thinking, communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence and leadership. Technology may change how the work gets done, but people still have to make decisions, build strong relationships, solve problems and lead. Third, don't confuse adoption with transformation. Just because employees are using AI doesn't mean the organization has transformed the way it works.

[00:03:27] [SPEAKER_00] And just because a tool makes something faster doesn't automatically mean it makes the outcome any better. Efficiency is important, but effectiveness matters too. HR can help leaders ask the right questions. Are we solving the right problems? Are we improving the employee experience? Are we helping people do more meaningful work? And are we being thoughtful about how those changes affect our culture?

[00:03:52] [SPEAKER_00] Because implementing technology without considering the people using it isn't transformation. It's just implementation. Here's what I want you to remember. AI is not a future of technology conversation that HR can't afford to sit out on. It's the future of work conversation and HR has a critical role to play in that.

[00:04:15] [SPEAKER_00] We don't need to be the technical experts in every room, but we need to understand enough to ask questions, challenge assumptions, anticipate work, anticipate workforce needs and help leaders navigate change. The organization that gets this right won't simply be the ones that adopt the latest tools. They'll be the ones that figure out how to use technology while continuing to invest in their people. So here's my challenge to you.

[00:04:43] [SPEAKER_00] If your organization is asking and talking about AI, make sure HR has a seat at the table. Don't wait for the workforce to change and then try to catch up. Help your organization prepare for what's next. I've explored this topic even further in my latest article and blog on the SpeakEasy HR website. AI is changing the workforce. Is HR ready for what comes next? Find all that there at speakeasyhr.com.

[00:05:11] [SPEAKER_00] Give it a read, share it with your leadership team and let's get this conversation started. Until next time, keep it real, keep it human and keep people at the center of HR. Cheers to you.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_01] Thanks for tuning into another top shelf take from Speakeasy HR presented by Payroll Partners. If you're still waiting on hold with your payroll provider, maybe it's time for a change. Let's talk. Cheers to you and we'll catch you on the next one.

[00:05:39] Cheers.