As generative AI transforms many jobs, artificial intelligence is changing the way HR leaders envision employee roles, skills, and experiences.
“AI is reshaping the future of work by redistributing tasks within jobs.”
These are the words of a U.S.-based chief human resources officer who responded to a preliminary survey that CNBC circulated last week among members of the CNBC Workforce Executive Council, a group of human resources leaders from public and private companies.
When asked whether AI is currently impacting hiring in their organizations, more than two-thirds (67%) of HR executives surveyed by CNBC said it is. For the purposes of this study, ‘impact’ is defined as a significant portion of an employee’s traditional work being automated or a change in the way they work day-to-day.
Approximately 50% of the 21 senior HR leaders surveyed said AI is impacting less than half of their organization’s work. Meanwhile, 17% said almost half or more than half of their jobs would be affected, and 11% were unsure. Additionally, 22% said there was “no impact” on employment at all.
“It’s still too early to tell,” one HR leader said in commenting on the survey. “Most organizations have not fully integrated AI tools into all operations, nor have they identified how to measure their impact.”
The situation could change dramatically over the next 12 months, with 89% of senior leaders surveyed saying AI will impact hiring in the next year. About 45% say AI will impact almost half or more than half of all jobs, and 44% say it will impact less than half of all jobs. Approximately 11% said there would be no impact on employment.
Nearly two in five senior executives (38%) say their company will maintain its current headcount over the next 12 months. An equal number of HR leaders at companies expect the number of employees to increase (29%), as do HR leaders at companies who expect the number of employees to decrease (29%).
For leaders planning to reduce headcount in the coming year, the only reason cited by survey respondents was “the need to reduce costs in general,” rather than inflation, tariffs, declining demand or efficiency gains from AI.
In a CNBC survey, three in five (61%) leaders say AI has made their companies more efficient, but 39% say it’s too early to tell.
Additionally, 78% said AI has made their workforce more innovative, while 17% said AI has not yet had a significant impact on their workforce.
New research shows that AI could reshape work to enhance innovation, increase efficiency, and shorten the workweek. A new study from the London School of Economics found that employees who use AI in their work save an average of 7.5 hours per week.
Roughly one in four jobs (or 26%) posted on the career site Indeed in the past year are poised to be “fundamentally transformed” by AI, according to Indeed’s September report.
Senior human resources leaders say it’s important to learn how AI can enhance human interaction. One WEC member said: “This is an opportunity to accelerate the human experience, not replace it.”
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