Most organizations are still in the early stages of AI adoption, SHRM research finds, with HR leaders playing a crucial role in advancing AI initiatives despite significant gaps in understanding and implementation.
Two-thirds of HR leaders say their organizations are unaware of, avoiding, or learning about AI, according to SHRM’s August 2024 Current Events Pulse survey. And only 1% say their organizations have progressed to advanced stages such as clustering, scaling, or driving AI adoption. More than a third of HR leaders say their organizations have neither implemented any form of AI nor have any plans to do so.
Only 28% of HR leaders are implementing generative AI tools, the most widely adopted type of AI. The adoption of other AI tools, namely enhancement, optimization, and predictive AI, lags even further, with implementation rates of 14%, 11%, and 10%, respectively.
HR Continues to Play a Key Role in AI Implementation
HR leaders play a significant role in AI adoption, with 92% reporting participation in AI implementation. While 30% say they are actively involved in AI projects and contribute to decision-making processes, 25% say they support implementation processes. Only 8% of HR leaders report no involvement in AI implementation. Despite HR’s involvement in implementation, over a third of HR leaders report having limited or no theoretical understanding of AI.
While Gaps Remain, US Workers Gain AI Experience
SHRM’s August 2024 Current Events Pulse survey finds that most U.S. workers are still in the early stages of understanding AI. Four in five workers (80%) classify their understanding of AI as beginner or intermediate, while only 20% report advanced or expert-level AI knowledge.
Meanwhile, the survey finds that around 1 in 5 workers (22%) still lack experience with AI, and 63% classify their proficiency with the technology as beginner or intermediate. Only 15% of workers consider themselves advanced or experts in using AI technologies.
According to SHRM’s August 2024 U.S. Worker Panel Report, workers who use AI most prefer to use the technology in routine tasks, with 33% of respondents favoring AI over co-workers for these assignments. However, the preference for working with AI on problem-solving tasks increased 4 percentage points this month, climbing to 23%.
Generational Gaps with AI
When it comes to AI experience among U.S. workers, SHRM’s August 2024 Current Events Pulse survey reveals that older generations are notably trailing behind their younger counterparts, with 96% of Baby Boomers and Traditionalists and 85% of Generation X employees reporting beginner or intermediate AI skills. In contrast, 73% of Millennials and 68% of Generation Z workers report higher proficiency levels. Millennial and Gen Z employees are also more likely to describe their AI experience as advanced or expert than their older colleagues.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the dynamics of AI adoption can be critical for organizations when planning for talent development and strategic investments. Although the understanding of AI among HR professionals is still developing, HR leaders’ ongoing efforts to drive AI projects underscore their commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing organizational capabilities.
While generational and skills gaps in AI literacy could potentially hinder productivity and innovation, they also present an opportunity for organizations to invest in training programs that can elevate their workforce’s capabilities. By fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability, companies can empower their workforce to harness AI’s full potential and drive productivity, ROI, and growth.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
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