What does the future of work look like? Is technology really going to change everything? And will HR have to start incorporating new roles and responsibilities into the function as technology moves through organisations?
These were among the questions dealt with by The HR World’s webinar on technology. The Efficiency Programme: How HR Can Maximise Technology brought together the views of Adam Bertelsen, Human-Centred AI Lead, PA Consulting and Kameshwari Rao, Chief People Officer of Publicis Sapient.
In an intriguing and engaging discussion, the panelists explored the current state and possible future of technology use by HR and across the workplace in general. In the wake of the pandemic which has essentially switched workers from office to home, Kameshwari noted that this position would never be fully reversed with a future of hybrid working on the cards for many. In this context HR will face emerging challenges in terms of understanding the new technology, managing the ethics and moral side of tech and AI use, while ensuring that a geographically dispersed workforce still enjoys equal opportunities and access to company systems.
Certainly there are new issues for HR to pursue here but technology use is also a reason why HR could lead companies into the future. By increasing their understanding of technology and the issues around it, HR can give themselves a leading position of influence in their organisations.
The webinar is well worth a view and inspired many questions and comments from the live audience. It’s a subject to which The HR World will return and we welcome thoughts and ideas around this from you as well – let us know what you think the impact of technology will be on your workplace and what new considerations you will need to make in the future.
