by admin | Oct 3, 2019 | Hot Topics, Human Resources
Artificial intelligence is pushing humans and machines closer together. It’s exciting! AI’s influences are being felt across the HR space… being used to automate business processes, enhance efficiency, and reduce bias among other things. In fact, McKinsey’s latest forecast of AI’s impact on the global economy is that it will generate $13 trillion in economic activity across the globe by 2030.
But, there is room for improvement, and top executives want it yesterday. A recent survey from PricewaterhouseCooper found 72% of executives believe AI will offer sizable business advantages in the near future. In another survey from IBM, 66% of CEOs believe AI can drive significant value in HR. Some are already exploring those opportunities. Uber, for instance, completed the world’s first cargo shipment using a truck controlled by AI!
State of AI in HR
AI as a Tool
The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the HR professional’s toolbox is not surprising. When looking for answers, look no further than the iPhone, for instance, or the black, cylindrical Echo tower sitting on the counter. Whether its Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Echo, people are using artificial intelligence at home in their day-to-day lives. It makes sense, then, that AI has made it into the workplace.
In most professional settings, AI is not required to do mundane tasks like answer questions about the weather or turn on the lights. Instead, AI is asked to do much more.
Reducing Human Bias
Humans are inherently bias. Even when striving for inclusiveness, HR professionals may subconsciously lean toward a particular candidate… for instance, someone who is more like the recruiter. Another potential bias, language bias; people’s subconscious word associations could indicate a particular preference.
Now, thanks to AI, algorithms can be designed to help employers identify and remove these biases. That potentially translates to better hiring communications and attracting a more diverse group of candidates. Those same algorithms can also find candidates who may have been screened out due to human bias. To put it in context, AI allows managers to go beyond gut feelings and rely on data-driving assessments.
AI Automation
AI is being used in HR to automate repetitive, low-value tasks thus increasing the focus on more strategic work. AI tools automate common HR tasks like benefits management or handling common questions or requests.
Recruiting through AI
Custom experiences are expected by applicants. These are tailored to unique needs as they apply for a new job, choose the right benefits or explore development opportunities.
Companies have implemented “AI recruiters” to automate scheduling interviews, provide ongoing feedback to candidates and answer their questions in real time. This allows human recruiters to spend more time converting candidates to hires.
Retention
Some companies are using AI platforms to single out employees that may be heading for the exit door. Those platforms track employee computer activity, emails, keystrokes, internet browsing and so on and store it. Then AI analyzes the data to determine a baseline of normal activity patterns in the organization. Based on that knowledge, outliers are flagged and reported to the employer. AI is also being used to detect changes in the overall tone of employees’ communications to predict when employees might be thinking of leaving.
AI Makes HR More Human
At some point in the career of an HR professional the question is asked: how can human resources become more human? At least one company believes it has the answer. Best Buy Canada says it’s to add more machines. Chris Taylor is the chief human resources officer for Best Buy Canada. He has gone on record saying the embracing of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in human capital management is a “mandatory investment in the future.”
So, why add more machines to make HR more human?
The automation of tasks through AI technology allows for the freeing of HR professionals to focus on uniquely human abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. While they are involved with the more human tasks, technology, at the moment, can handle the more mundane tasks.
All of that said, in a lot of ways artificial intelligence is still growing and learning itself.
What does that statement mean? AI is able to search a query based on the words you are using and give you a response, but that response isn’t contextual.
AI is heading in that direction though.
Instead of writing responses specifically to specific inputs… you just have a huge database of language around a specific knowledge domain and the AI can go into that knowledge domain and answer the questions from the user.
HR professionals interested in pursuing AI want it to do much more than answer questions and rummage through applications. They want to use it as a learning platform.
But it’s not there yet.
AI can teach itself to do something, but it’s not at the stage it can replace humans beings as the “drivers of education.” In the future, it may be used that way, but it would require a lot of adaptability.
Taylor says Best Buy Canada is embracing as much technology as they can get their hands on. For instance, the company has started investing in cloud-based solution that uses artificial intelligence, voice technology and machine learning. All of these technologies, Best Buy Canada hopes, will better the employee experience.
Conclusion
As much as the HR technology landscape continues to be disrupted by AI, HR teams must find ways to balance these advancements with transparency. It is essential in making sure the implementation of AI technology is successful. At the end of the day, artificial intelligence is not the end-all-be-all answer to every quandary HR finds itself in. It is a tool and nothing more. A tool that can improperly function based on the data it is given in order to work effectively. Even so, artificial intelligence can be a valuable resource. Work to embrace it now because it’s likely you’ll be expected to use it in the future.
By Mason Stevenson
Originally posted on hrexchangenetwork.com
by admin | Jun 29, 2018 | Hot Topics
New technologies are poised to fundamentally change the HR industry as we know it. Just as the smartphone revolutionized the way we communicate, artificial intelligence will reshape all areas of HR, from employee onboarding to learning management to developing top talent. And, similar to smartphones, these changes will take place at lightning speed.
But what exactly is artificial intelligence? And what implications might this evolving tech have on the future of health care? Buckle up, because we’re going to take a glimpse into the current AI projects, as well as what the future of health care could look like with AI advancements.
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
In its most basic form, artificial intelligence uses computer programming to develop systems that are able to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence. These tasks could include speech recognition, decision-making, language translation, and much more.
Have you ever wondered how ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft are able to predict ETAs for rides? Artificial intelligence. Or, how email platforms know how to filter out spam and nicely categorize your emails into categories? Yep, artificial intelligence. Or, how your banking app is able to process a check deposit via a simple image? You guessed it, artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of many of the technologies and services that we use in our everyday life without us even knowing or really thinking about it.
In addition to its many convenient applications, AI also offers a promising and impactful future in the field of health care.
Examples of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
The use of artificial intelligence is completely altering the front door of health care as we know it. From specific programs that aid in medical diagnostics to intelligent apps that triage remote patients, AI is making health care more efficient and accessible than ever.
Medical Data Mining
One of the primary areas in which AI shines versus manual human processes in the field of data analysis. Not only can artificial intelligence process complex sets of data at lightning speed, it can also provide meaningful and actionable insight and recommendations based on data sets. DeepMind(acquired by Google in 2014) is an AI-based technology that works to expedite the process in which patients are moved from ‘test’ to ‘treatment’. IBM’s Watsonproduct provides solutions for interpreting, organizing, and easily accessing clinical and patient data, in addition to providing technology for recognizing patient similarity and medical insights. According to IBM, medical data is expected to double every 73 days by 2020. And, each person will generate enough health-related data in their lifetime to fill 300 million physical books. Utilizing AI will not only expedite the process in which health care providers access patient info but also better-organize and analyze data available and even provide predictions on future health concerns and recommendations for treatment plans.
Powering Diagnostics
The FDA recently approved the use of artificial intelligence powered software for the use of medical diagnostics, marking the first use of AI in this application. The program is designed to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause long-term vision loss and that impacts more than 30 million people in the United States alone. The technology uses an AI algorithm to scan and analyze multiple images of an eye and then delivers a positive or negative test result. This is the first FDA approved solution that does not require a doctor to interpret test results, and more AI-based diagnostic solutions are expected to get the green light in the next several years.
Drug Development
It’s no secret that testing pharmaceuticals through clinical trials is an expensive and time-consuming process. The full development, testing, and approval process can literally take decades and cost billions. Though pharmaceutical players of all sizes are currently experimenting with AI applications in the drug discovery and development process, GSK is considered a leader in the space. GSK has fully embraced AI research and applications with their dedicated in-house team, ‘In silico Drug Discovery Unit’. The ultimate goal of the GSK project is to leverage artificial intelligence to shorten the drug research, testing, and launch window to under a year, a bold vision. Making the pharmaceutical process more efficient could drastically reduce the cost of medical treatments and the cost of health care in general.
Solving Doctor Shortages
China is facing one of the most alarming doctor shortagesin history, with only 1.5 doctors for every 1,000 residents (compared to 2.5 doctors per person in the United States). The need is dire, and the government is calling for action and loosening restrictions on the use of data and new technology. Currently, more than 100 companies are working to develop AI solutions to address urgent health care needs. A recent reportpredicted that China’s market for AI-powered health care services will reach almost $6B yuan ($930 Million) by 2022. Current projects include diagnostic tools to assist with CT scans, x-rays, ultrasound scans and prosthetic design and manufacturing.
Improving Telemedicine
Which would you prefer – an hour-long wait in a doctor’s office plus the time to actually see the doctor, or a quick 15-minute consultation and diagnosis via your smartphone? Though many assume telemedicine is a modern iteration of health care, this practice has actually been around since the 1950’s. Now, telemedicine is a common alternative to traditional doctor’s visits for simple diagnostics and treatment. A new app, 98point6, is taking this remote-experience to the next level with artificial intelligence. The technology interacts with subscribers to help better understand medical needs and then channels requests to the appropriate doctor for evaluation. The AI-bot essentially serves as a personalized triage service, saving manual time and labor.
The Bottom Line?
The adoption and utilization of artificial intelligence in the health care space will make health care more accessible, efficient, and affordable for everyone.
by Meisha Bochicchio, Content Marketing Manager at PlanSource
Originally posted on blog.ubabenefits.com
