In The HR World’s latest webinar, ‘All Promises? Is AI the Answer to your HR and L&D Challenges’, the specialist panel got to grips with the current state and future promise of AI in the workplace, what it could do for HR and what HR needs to do in order to get the best from this emerging technology.

On the panel were Alison Richardson, Director of HR Operations, Yodel, Craig McCoy, Senior Interim HR professional and Chair of London HR Connect and finally Yashar Moradbakhti, CEO and co-founder of the webinar’s sponsor Lingio. Together the panel drew on their current experience as well as their hopes for technology in order to give a clear view on how to get best value from AI.

Alison Richardson noted that AI was still really in its infancy in terms of use among employers. Despite this she was clear that the technology will be the way ahead and should be welcomed in the workplace. Yashar noted that AI should always bring value when deployed, complimenting current work and making life easier for those it has contact with. From this point of view, while initial investment may still be difficult to raise, deployment will always pay the business back.

With all the challenges associated with training and onboarding staff – sometimes fast turnover staff who may not even work on site – technology and AI in particular already has a role to play in taking the mundane tasks away from HR and enabling HR professionals to concentrate on more value adding activities. It can also offer a gamified approach to skills development and training, boosting engagement among employees and enhancing their skillset. However, as Craig McCoy noted progress needs to be careful and cautious – the human side of business needs to be taken care of whatever technology progress is made.