HR Meets AI: What Will the New Technology Mean for Workers?
MindEdge/HRCI’s Joint Survey: HR, AI, and the New American Workplace
With artificial intelligence (AI) taking hold in many American workplaces, HR professionals do not have a consensus viewpoint on how the new technology is likely to affect workers -- but they agree on the need for stricter government regulation of AI research.
The results of MindEdge and HRCI's fourth annual survey -- HR, AI, and the New American Workplace -- show that HR professionals are uncertain about AI's long-term impact on the workforce. While many think AI will free up workers to do more satisfying work, many others see AI as a threat to eliminate jobs. Interestingly, though, most HR professionals do not see AI as a threat to their own job security.
MindEdge/HRCI's national survey of 1,030 experienced HR professionals with HRCI certifications was conducted online from September 22 through 29, 2023. The top findings: 44% of respondents say that AI represents an opportunity for employees to do more satisfying work, while 33% consider AI a threat that could eliminate many jobs. Another 23% are still unsure about AI's effect on American workers. Despite this lack of consensus about AI's impact, almost three-of-four (73%) HR professionals favor stricter government regulation of AI research.
The survey results indicate that HR professionals are unsure about AI's effect on most workers, but they feel strongly that the government should do more to regulate AI research. In the top chart, 44% of respondents say that artificial intelligence is more of an opportunity for workers, because it could free them up to do more satisfying work; 33% say it is more of a threat to workers, because it could eliminate many jobs; and a relatively high 23% are unsure what to think about this issue. At the same time, most HR professionals do not see AI as a threat to their own jobs: 62% see AI as an opportunity for them to take on more satisfying work, and only 17% view it as a threat to their own job security. Another 21% are unsure on this point.
The bottom chart shows the near-consensus agreement among HR professionals on the need for stricter government regulation of AI research. Fully 73% favor stricter regulation of AI research, including 29% who strongly favor such a move. Only 13% oppose stricter AI regulation, while 15% are undecided.