HR unprepared for AI surge

Willis Towers Watson's The Global Future of Work Survey approached 909 companies worldwide, and found that they expect automation will account for 22% of the work being done in the next three years. That compares with the 12% of work companies say is being done using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics today, and just 7% three years ago. The research suggested that HR is not currently fully prepared for potential organisational changes brought on by technology. Just 31% of organisations have taken steps to address talent deficits, only 32% have attempted to identify the emerging skills required for their business, while 29% say that they have tried to find appropriate talent for a digital workforce. While few employers have measures in place, respondents said they were planning to take action in the future through establishing which tasks can be automated (50%), and identifying ways to reskill talent whose work could be automated (48%).