Navigating AI in HR: Start Small, Think Big and Build Wins
The AI revolution is reshaping every industry, and HR is no exception. While the technology promises transformative potential, there’s real wisdom in following what our colleague Rik Reppe from Cortico-X Innovation recommends—start with the basics, build on a manageable scale, and gradually expand as comfort and understanding grow.
This isn’t about incremental improvements to existing frameworks—it’s about reimagining the fundamental relationship between organizations and their most valuable asset: their people.
What’s Actually Happening
Forbes recently highlighted AI’s growing momentum in Human Resources, with SHRM’s 2024 research showing that 26% of organizations are now using AI to support HR activities. These early adopters are focusing on practical applications:
- Enhancing interview and hiring processes
- Elevating learning and development programs
- Strengthening performance management systems
Organizations report these implementations are unlocking greater creativity and innovation in workforce support—validating that even foundational applications deliver meaningful impact.
Practical Use Cases with Wins Worth Pursuing
Consider something as straightforward as using ChatGPT to help employees navigate HR policies—an often overlooked but potentially game-changing use case. Imagine transforming dense employee handbooks into interactive resources that instantly answer specific questions about benefits and policies. This creates both exceptional support for employees and valuable time savings for HR teams, elevating leaders from necessary but tactical responsibilities.
Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
With creativity comes responsibility. In another write-up, Forbes has also emphasized that HR needs to establish thoughtful guidelines governing AI usage that reinforce ethical practices and sustain trust, fairness, and empathy throughout the organization.
Where to Begin
For HR leaders taking their first steps with AI, we recommend focusing on applications that combine practical utility with strategic value—creating the foundation for more sophisticated implementations as your organization’s AI maturity develops.
What Alyson Thinks
AI presents a powerful opportunity to reimagine HR communications beyond traditional one-way channels. As we’ve explored in previous articles, employee engagement flourishes through continuous, active listening—not through isolated touchpoints or annual surveys.
What if we leveraged AI to facilitate ongoing conversations with employees, creating dynamic listening channels that capture real-time insights? HR teams could implement conversational interfaces allowing employees to engage on-demand with questions central to their experience:
- “How can I effectively manage my performance?”
- “What opportunities exist to expand my skills and build my career?”
- “What specific actions will help me progress toward promotion?”
This approach removes unnecessary friction from career development conversations while empowering employees to drive their professional journey with enhanced support.
“This isn’t about replacing human connection but rather augmenting it with accessible tools that complement traditional HR touchpoints.” Alyson Daichendt
As with any AI implementation, establishing clear parameters remains critical. We’re obligated to place ethics, standards, and employee-centered thinking at the heart of every AI use case. The mantra remains consistent: start small, define responsible usage guidelines, and build from there.
What Robyn Thinks
“Employees are your true competitive advantage. Equipping them with intelligence to make better-informed decisions doesn’t just improve operational outcomes—it fundamentally enhances engagement by demonstrating that their contributions matter within a larger strategic context.” – Robyn Gilson
By harnessing real-time feedback from texts, chats, reviews, calls, interviews, and emails through AI-powered analysis, leaders gain immediate access to insights that would otherwise remain obscured. This intelligence allows organizations to proactively remove obstacles, reimagine experiences, and catalyze growth before small issues become significant challenges.
On the Horizon: Reimagining Employee Experience
The AI journey in HR represents just one dimension of the evolving workplace landscape. As organizations navigate this technological frontier, equally significant transformations are reshaping how we conceptualize the employee experience itself.
What are forward-thinking organizations doing differently? How are they reconciling technological advancement with fundamental human needs? What strategic imperatives are driving sustainable engagement in today’s dynamic environment?
Keep an eye out for more content on this topic in coming weeks, as we unpack how our clients are fundamentally reinventing employee experience for today’s workforce. We’ll examine how leading organizations are moving beyond conventional approaches to create environments where both technology and human potential flourish in parallel.
Partner with Cortico-X
Ready to transform HR AI strategy? Contact Cortico-X today to learn how we can support you with data-driven strategies and proven expertise. If you found this article informative, please follow Cortico-X on LinkedIn for more strategies on transforming HR and employee experiences.
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Robyn Gilson
is a Vice President at Cortico-X and leads our Experience Management practice. She excels at turning customer feedback into useful business insights that produce measurable results while building stronger relationships with everyone involved in your business.
Alyson Daichendt
is a Vice President at Acquis Consulting, the parent organization for Cortico-X. Alyson specializes in Organization and Talent consulting. She helps clients enhance employee experience, drive engagement, and build great workplace cultures.