Artificial intelligence (AI) has been gaining in popularity lately. People in a wide range of industries are using AI-powered tools to generate content, automate routine tasks, and analyze data. But can you really use it in the human resources (HR) department?
While HR AI tools aren’t going to replace human HR professionals any time soon, you can use them to streamline HR tasks related to talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, career development, and more.
Here’s what you need to know about HR AI tools, including what they are, how to use them, and best practices for using AI software in your HR department.
What Are HR AI Tools?
HR AI tools are software programs that apply the power of artificial intelligence to HR functions. HR AI tools range from standalone tools that perform specific tasks to HR management platforms like Pulpstream that incorporate AI-driven features.
HR AI tools may incorporate one or more of the following AI technologies:
- Generative AI: Generative AI tools can produce text, images, videos, and other forms of content from a text-based prompt. HR teams can use generative AI to craft job descriptions, welcome emails, and employee onboarding documents.
- Conversational AI: Conversational AI tools include chatbots like ChatGPT that can have a back-and-forth dialogue with a human. You can use these tools to field questions from candidates and facilitate online training programs.
- Natural language processing (NLP): Natural language processing refers to the ability of AI tools to process written or spoken language. These tools can “read” resumes, transcribe video interviews, and translate between languages.
- Machine learning (ML): Machine learning involves the use of AI algorithms to process and analyze data. Using AI tools for talent management and workforce analytics can offer valuable insights and help you make data-driven decisions.
Benefits of AI HR Tools
Ideally, the AI tools you use in the HR department will benefit your HR team members and your employees alike. For HR professionals, AI tools empower them to get more done and make better decisions. For employees, they offer a seamless onboarding process and faster resolution of common employee relations issues.
Here are three key advantages of using AI tools in HR:
Efficiency
AI tools are more efficient than traditional HR software. They allow you to digitize and automate HR processes, streamlining everything from resume screening to employee onboarding. While traditional workflow automation tools can eliminate some repetitive tasks, AI HR tools have more advanced capabilities and customizable features.
Accuracy
By reducing the amount of time spent on time-consuming manual tasks, you’ll increase accuracy and HR compliance. Whether you use an AI assistant to schedule meetings, NLP tools for translations or data entry, or an AI-powered platform to store employee data, AI tools can help you reduce human errors and keep your data secure.
Decision-making
Many AI tools provide the power of predictive analytics to help you crunch the numbers and make better decisions. From sales forecasting to workforce analytics, you can use AI tools to get actionable insights into datasets that are too large to review manually.
Use Cases for HR AI Tools
Knowing when to use HR AI tools makes all the difference. Before launching a new AI initiative, consider which of your HR systems are ready for an overhaul. Here are four areas of HR operations that can benefit from artificial intelligence:
Recruitment
The recruitment process requires a human touch — but some parts of it are easy to streamline with HR automation. Many HR teams already use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to store resumes and track the progress of job applications.
You can use also AI recruiting tools for:
- Managing job postings
- Social media outreach
- Candidate sourcing
- Resume screening
- Skill assessments
AI recruiting tools help you streamline your recruiting and hiring process to ensure you reach the best candidates and provide a positive candidate experience. You can also use HR AI tools to standardize the new employee onboarding process and welcome new hires to your organization as efficiently as possible.
Employee engagement
By using HR AI tools to resolve employee relations issues, you can increase employee retention throughout the employee lifecycle. With RapidBee, Pulpstream’s AI-powered employee service center, you can create custom chatbots that can answer employee questions about benefits, healthcare, company policies, and more.
Some AI tools act as a virtual assistant, responding to employee inquiries in real-time, even when your HR team is unavailable. For example, RapidBee AI can automatically suggest the appropriate form for each inquiry, and can convert almost any document into a user-friendly online form that employees can fill out and sign digitally.
Performance management
Traditional performance reviews leave things open to interpretation and only tell you so much about what’s really going on. With AI-powered HR tools, you can generate custom performance review templates, collect 360-degree feedback, and conduct a sentiment analysis to gain deeper insights into employee performance and job satisfaction.
Pulpstream’s high-performance management system makes it easy to set goals, identify skill gaps, and create personalized performance improvement plans. Use Pulpstream to track employee performance metrics so you can identify areas for growth and support employees in their own professional development journey.
Analytics
One of the most impactful ways to use HR AI platforms is for data analysis. Predictive analytics can be used for things like forecasting cash flow, anticipating staffing needs, and estimating employee turnover. You can also use AI analytics to assess historical datasets, such as using claims analytics to track business insurance claims.
Pulpstream’s intuitive reporting dashboards allow you to monitor trends over time and identify patterns. Or, zoom in to get a 360-degree view of each case with our dynamic case management platform, with built-in messaging and workflow automation.
Best Practices When Using HR AI Tools
Artificial intelligence has come a long way in recent years, but HR AI platforms still vary widely when it comes to pricing, features, and capability. Here are three best practices to keep in mind when using AI-driven tools in the HR department:
Address bias and inaccuracies
AI tools are only as good as the information you provide them. If you’re using AI for data analysis, make sure that your datasets are accurate and complete. If you’re using AI to write job descriptions or social media content, review the output for accuracy.
Be on the lookout for biased algorithms, especially if you’re using AI recruiting tools to source candidates or screen resumes. Consider whether your tools are inadvertently filtering out candidates by age, race, gender, or other protected attributes.
Integrate with your existing systems
Some AI tools may come built into the software that you’re already using, such as an AI assistant that adds items to your calendar or to-do list. Others may be standalone tools like an AI chatbot or image generator that you use for specific tasks.
For best results, ensure that your HR AI tools are compatible. For example, Pulpstream integrates with existing platforms, like your accounting and payroll software, so you can easily create streamlined workflows across all of your systems.
Prioritize the employee experience
Finally, don’t forget that HR AI tools are meant to improve the employee experience, not complicate it. Some HR tasks still require human intervention, and new employees may welcome a human touch throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.
With RapidBee’s multi-channel ticket management system, you can accept messages from multiple channels and route AI interactions to the appropriate human agent.
Elevate Your HR Practices with Pulpstream
HR AI tools have the potential to transform your HR system by streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and improving decision-making. You can use AI tools for recruiting, onboarding, performance management, workforce analysis, and more.
RapidBee, Pulpstream’s AI-powered employee service center, features a multi-channel ticketing system and a self-service portal. By resolving employee issues faster, you can improve employee engagement and increase retention at your organization.
Request a demo today to see Pulpstream’s HR AI tools in action.
