The Role of HR in the Age of Technology

As technology, AI and automation become more integrated into our workplaces, today’s business leaders must learn to invest in the future of technology without putting employees, clients and their businesses at risk.

“The business community is embracing emerging technologies, but not without warranted concern,” says Ron Gauthier, CEO and Registrar at CPHR Manitoba. “How AI is regulated and the ethical concerns it presents are top of mind for the business community and our members.”

According to the 2023 KPMG CEO Outlook report, 75% of Canadian CEOs are making generative AI a top investment priority, yet 93% are worried that generative AI could cause more cyber-attacks, and 44% of CEOs don’t feel prepared to face it.

“From an HR perspective, it’s about change management and staying ahead of the curve,” says Gauthier. “Business leaders are turning to HR professionals to help identify skill gaps and develop plans to upskill and reskill employees to work future-forward.”

The KPMG report shows that 80% of small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are encouraging their employees to upskill in areas like AI and data analytics so they can make more informed decisions about how to use and implement technology in the workplace. 

“Business must evolve to face these obstacles and learn new ways of working,” says Gauthier. “AI can help leaders streamline processes, improve efficiencies and make data-driven decisions. But human expertise is irreplaceable. We must set up guardrails to review and test AI to ensure it’s used the right way.”

 KPMG reports that CEOs and SMBs are concerned about the ethical challenges around generative AI, including bias in datasets, privacy, transparency, misinformation and intellectual property.

 “Strategic HR leaders recognize the need to develop new approaches to manage human and machine intelligence,” says Gauthier. “That starts with prioritizing people and culture, so employees feel valued, engaged and confident about reskilling for tomorrow.”

 CPHRs are uniquely qualified to help leaders achieve their business goals. With proven expertise across nine key business metrics, CPHRs have the most current knowledge and the experience to address the factors that underpin the degree of immediate and long-term business success.

 “With strategic HR leadership, CEOs will be well-positioned to meet the challenges ahead.”

CPHRs are best equipped, through their education, experience and expertise, to shape the future of work in the age of technology.