UNLEASH America: Go beyond automation

At times, artificial intelligence (AI) can sound like a buzzword in a sea of technology vendors. However, AI can make a huge difference to businesses when it’s sold and used correctly.

Dr Chris Mullen, executive director at The Workforce Institute UKG, tells the audience of UNLEASH America how AI can give personalized responses and continue to learn.

Mullen noted that configurable systems enable AI to go much further in delivering a positive experience for staff with questions or job candidates eagerly waiting to see if they got the position.

The impact of AI

During the session, Mullen outlined three areas where AI can benefit a business right now.

Mullen commented that AI can aid learning and development (L&D) by giving tailored information and courses to employees. As L&D becomes essential in a job market with skill gaps, using AI can have an impact on employee retention and engagement.

AI can also help anticipate the needs of teams. By using projective data, businesses can finally get ahead of issues rather than scrambling when an incident occurs. 

Additionally, AI can help employees feel supported and remove bias in the hiring process.

Mullen took a moment to dispel the notion that AI only helps desk workers, instead, he drew attention to open-shift notifications and the ability to ensure that workers are given or offered the right amount of hours. This can have a significant influence on the way businesses work.

Mullen reasoned: “It’s predictions and actions that let you make a positive impact. You see some questions here. We also have the adaptable side. Real-time guidance is your advantage, right?

“This is artificial intelligence. This is technology working for you. It analyses and delivers new and guided knowledge when you most need it.” 

Interestingly, AI can also save time and enable employees to be used in more effective ways. Reflecting on how AI removed a two-week task for a payroll team. Mullen commented: “What we ended up doing was dispersing them [the employees] back out.

“They stayed in payroll, but they went out to each department and we added to their jobs more of the human and the employee needs. So we could get more proactive rather than reactive.”

If time can be saved, engagement improved, and bias removed; AI could be an essential investment.

It looks like AI may just be common sense. 

If you want more from UNLEASH America but can’t make it to Las Vegas, check out our website and our social media channels.