Dive Brief:
- A new IBM survey found that half of HR executives already recognize cognitive technology’s potential impact on their profession.
- The report showed that cognitive technology will significantly affect key HR functions, from hiring and onboarding to employee engagement and talent management. A majority of CEOs in the survey (65%) envision cognitive technology driving significant value for HR functions.
- IBM lists several areas in which this technology will have the biggest impact, including: making "information-rich decisions," interacting with users, handling large volumes of "unstructured data" and creating personalized output for individual workers.
Dive Insight
Studies such as IBM’s might counter the argument that AI, robotics and other technological developments will replace HR departments, rather than give them tools to improve their performance.
Most CEOs appear ready for cognitive technology, compared with just half of HR folks, but both groups need to partner on technological initiatives. Employee buy-in is good news, although resistance to changes with certain functions is to be expected.
It's hard not to associate Big Blue with its own iconic cognitive tech application, Watson. Previous reports have detailed Watson's ability to assist HR professionals in areas like recruiting as well as its ability to monitor and improve employee health.
Workers' — especially millennials' — pre-exposure to cognitive technologies such as artificial intelligence, speech recognition and natural language processing through mobile devices and robotics might make for a more natural transition into cognitive-driven activities.
Cognitive tech can be applied to a broad range of workplace activities. IBM’s Susan Steele, executive partner in Global Talent and Engagement, said that cognitive tech will enhance decision-making, an age-old critical skill across all disciplines and workplace functions.
