4 June 2025
It feels like a couple of years ago that no one knew what AI was. Now many people use it in everyday life. From asking ChatGPT to create content, to using voice assistants like Siri or Alexa to perform tasks, AI has made its way into every part of daily life.
AI has come a long way in streamlining processes and providing quick answers, but when it comes to HR, can it really replace human expertise? It’s a question we’re asked all the time as HR professionals, and one that we ask ourselves as well.
The real answer? As with all tech, AI is a tool that can make HR tasks easier or support HR functions. However, we don’t believe HR can be fully automated or replaced with AI—let’s look at why.
A common misconception is that HR just deals with policies and procedures. While of course a large part of our work has to do with making sure your HR documents are in order, we also deal with people.
People are the lifeblood of any business, and they’re also the reason that no two businesses are the same. AI systems analyse data patterns and generate recommendations based on data. However, the technology lacks the ability to fully understand the unique human context behind each situation.
Here’s an example: an AI-powered system might flag a team member’s declining performance based on their output. However, it won’t have any data on what might be the cause of this, like the individual’s personal challenges or how team dynamics might have changed and are affecting their current performance at work.
Without understanding the nuances of your particular company,workplace culture, the specific situation and the people involved in it, relying entirely on advice given by an AI tool could cause more harm than good.
AI can definitely be used as an early warning system to flag any concerning issues or trends. HR professionals can look into these further, and make informed decisions based on their contextual knowledge. AI can highlight any causes for concern, but you should still be the one to interpret the data and make any decisions.
We say it often because it’s true: employment law is complex and constantly evolving. As an example, we’ve seen major changes in employment law happen in just the first few months of the year. Relying on AI to make legally sensitive decisions could open you and your business up to serious risks.
One of the things to be wary of when looking to AI for employment law advice is that the tool might be relying on outdated or even incorrect data. Trusting AI tools for advice on legislation without cross-referencing it first can lead to costly errors or legal breaches.
Instead of using an AI tool to rely on legislation updates or advice on employment law, consider using it to keep track of your HR documentation. AI can also automate tasks like sorting and filing documents.
AI chatbots and automated programs are impressive, especially when it comes to their output. However, they’re not perfect—if you’ve ever used an AI tool, you’re likely familiar with its disclaimer about double-checking the information you were provided. AI can generate incorrect or incomplete advice, something to always keep in mind when using it at work.
Relying solely on AI can create extra work for you instead of saving time. It can be time-consuming to cross-reference the information AI puts out (especially when it comes to legislation). What’s worse is that acting upon faulty advice can lead to confusion and wasted time. Worst-case scenario? You might need to do some damage control using HR or legal professionals.
Think of AI as a junior assistant. Don’t rely on AI to make decisions for you, especially if it involves sensitive matters that can have an impact on your business and your people. We suggest using AI to gather initial information, generate ideas, or even automate routine tasks to free your team up for other tasks. However, don’t forget to always validate AI-generated outputs with human knowledge and expertise.
AI is here to stay, and it has a multitude of uses that we can’t do without these days. However, as we’ve explained, it can’t be a stand-in for tailored HR advice from experts.
At Now Actually, we combine industry expertise with a people-first approach to ensure your business stays compliant and your employees feel supported. The kind of advice we offer can’t be found anywhere else.
Need HR support that’s tailored for your business and your people? Our team of HR Partners dig into what you need, and come up with the best possible solution for you…now and into the future. Talk to our team today!
