People are increasingly pressured to integrate AI into their workflows, challenging HR leaders to sift through the excitement and pinpoint its practical uses. The task for you as an HR leader extends beyond merely chasing the latest AI trends; it’s about discovering truly transformative applications that bolster your employees’ skills and organisational efficiency. The secret to leveraging AI effectively is not passive observation but active involvement with communities and platforms where its practical applications are being explored and developed. This is the goal of our Mindstone practical AI community; with its 2000-strong London base and thousands globally, it serves as fertile ground for HR leaders to explore AI’s tangible benefits. Here, we address some common issues you might encounter in seeking practical AI applications for your employees and offer solutions to these challenges.

AI is a process, not just a solution

A recurring theme among professionals is disillusionment with AI, often encapsulated in the sentiment, “I tried it, it didn’t work for me.” This typically stems from brief encounters with outdated tools like ChatGPT 3.5, devoid of a deeper exploration of AI’s capabilities. AI isn’t just something you use, it’s something you continuously learn to use; at Mindstone we place as much emphasis on identifying the specific problem you want to solve as actually solving it. 

The key here is to define what practical AI is – what applications have an immediate impact on how work is performed and the quality of output. Unlike the overhyped promises that paint a distant future, practical AI should focus on today, offering solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and efficiency in real-time. It’s about leveraging AI to make significant improvements in daily work life, from automating mundane tasks to fostering innovative problem-solving approaches.

Your employees don’t know what tools to use

Navigating the AI-as-a-service (AIaaS) ecosystem can be a daunting task for your employees. There are many free access tools available – ChatGPT revolutionising email communication, Gemini, Claude, Co-Pilot, Opus Clip transforming video editing, Gamma AI enhancing presentations – it’s understandable that they might feel overwhelmed by the choices and uncertain about which tools to leverage for their specific needs. Making AI accessible is vital, but guiding your employees on how to use it effectively is equally important. Consider setting up preferred AI software for specific tasks, similar to how you manage SaaS policies in your company. Just as you have preferred email or communication tools, this approach should also apply to AI tools.

To ensure your workforce is not only equipped with the right tools but also possesses the necessary skills to use them effectively, actively assess the AI competencies within your teams versus the skills required for future projects. This continuous evaluation is key to identifying where upskilling is urgently required. By doing so, you not only enable your employees to fully leverage AI technologies but also ensure their skills are in line with your organisation’s strategic goals. 

There’s not an obvious deployment process for AI

You can’t just dump AI into your existing workstreams and expect it to have an immediate impact. The most effective approach starts with identifying an AI champion within your organisation who can spearhead a culture of automation and innovation. Amplifying this culture through an upskilling program ensures that the workforce is not only familiar with AI tools like ChatGPT but also proficient in leveraging them to their full potential.

Developing bespoke training programs that are directly aligned with your organisation’s AI objectives is crucial, because it helps people contextualise the use of AI in their daily jobs. These initiatives should not only address current skill shortages but also anticipate future needs, ensuring your workforce remains agile and adaptable. This will facilitate a deeper understanding and engagement with AI across your teams.

The efficacy of AI tools also hinges on your own understanding and engagement with the technology. As a HR leader, you need to immerse yourself in these applications (and be upskilled in them) to better assess which tools are most beneficial for your employees and identify how to integrate them into existing workflows. It’s hard to lead on practical AI without understanding yourself what’s possible. A hands-on approach facilitates a more informed and effective adoption of AI, ensuring that the technology serves its intended purpose of enhancing employee skills and organisational efficiency, rather than just being a “nice to have”.

AI is developing too fast for you to adopt it

The perception that AI is evolving too quickly for adoption is a pressing challenge, yet it offers a significant opportunity for strategic leadership. The acceleration in AI development underscores the critical need for continuous engagement with emerging technologies, making upskilling a pivotal aspect of your role. As we move through 2024, with the pace of change set to increase even further, the urgency for fostering a culture of learning and innovation within your teams cannot be overstated.

The key to harnessing the potential of AI lies not in viewing its rapid development as an insurmountable barrier but as an impetus for proactive adaptation. Your role involves not only identifying and bridging skill gaps but also cultivating an environment where the adoption of AI tools and methodologies becomes a natural extension of your workforce’s capabilities.

Harnessing AI in HR is not about following trends but about identifying and implementing practical applications that have a direct and positive impact on the workforce. To augment this strategy, it’s also important to look to forge partnerships with AI specialists and technology providers that can help keep you abreast of the latest developments and provide valuable insights into practical AI applications tailored to your HR functions. My advice is this: lean in, learn, and lead the way in the practical application of AI.