By Pam Thornton
Time is the most valuable currency in HR and it’s slipping away. Too many HR professionals are still hesitant to adopt artificial intelligence, even as it quietly transforms industries all around us. The clock is ticking, and HR leaders who delay are risking falling behind.
AI is not a futuristic concept; it’s already embedded in daily tools you may be using. Microsoft, LinkedIn, Zoom, and Google all have AI-powered features that analyze, summarize, and automate routine work. According to a 2024 SHRM survey, 26% of organizations use AI to support HR-related activities, which equates to about 1 in 4.
What’s at Stake
According to a Deloitte-based analysis, HR professionals spend up to 57% of their work time on administrative tasks, which is equivalent to more than 22 hours per week in a standard 40-hour work week.Imagine what could be achieved if those hours were reinvested into strategy, culture, and leadership development!
The Benefits of AI for HR
- Time Savings: AI-driven recruiting tools can reduce screening time by up to 75% while improving candidate fit.
- Better Insights: Predictive analytics allow HR teams to anticipate turnover risks, identify skill gaps, and strengthen workforce planning.
- Improved Compliance: AI-powered auditing tools can scan policies and employee records for inconsistencies and legal risks in minutes.
- Enhanced Employee Experience: Chatbots and virtual assistants now answer common HR and Benefits questions 24/7, freeing human resources staff to handle complex employee relations conversations and high-value issues in the organization.
- Upskilling Opportunities: AI helps identify internal talent ready for reskilling, closing skills gaps and reducing external hiring costs.
Why HR Can’t Wait
The “wait and see” approach is costly. Competitors who adopt AI now are gaining efficiency, reducing costs, and positioning HR as a true strategic driver. According to a study from Gartner, the share of HR leaders who are actively planning or already deploying GenAI has jumped from 19% in June 2023 to 61% in January 2025. This sharp rise highlights growing recognition of GenAI’s power to reshape HR processes. We can’t just “lean on” and set it and forget it when using AI. When we “lean in” and provide input and human oversight to synthesize the information and use our critical thinking skills to leverage AI as a tool; we gain the strategic advantage. Humans will always remain at the heart of HR.
The message is clear: HR’s future isn’t AI vs. human, it’s AI plus human. Those who embrace the tools today will lead the transformation tomorrow. So, the real question is: How much longer can you afford to wait?