How is AI affecting HR in Singapore?

It’s crystal clear that the government is fully supportive and encouraging businesses to use AI and machine learning to drive innovation, improve efficiency‌ and enhance the customer experience. But what about the HR industry? How can AI help businesses or employees work easier and faster? And what are the perspectives of HR professionals towards it?

The employment landscape for Singapore businesses may be tough right now. But our research tells us that professionals in SG are optimistic about AI enhancements and features, and how they will benefit employees and businesses greatly. From helping HR professionals with analytics, speed and efficiency to finding, retaining and training talent more efficiently while saving on costs. HR professionals in Singapore are already engaging with AI tools in the workplace, and expect to be using a lot more of it in the future.

To help you better understand how AI is affecting the world of HR and small businesses in Singapore, we polled 300 HR professionals in small and large businesses alike in May 2023.

The findings might surprise you, resonate with you, or give you a keen insight into the what, where, how and why of AI in HR right now.

We hope this report gives you valuable insight into this emerging landscape and provides some transparency on how AI is going to affect and improve things for small businesses in the years to come.

The team at Employment Hero 

What’s inside the report?

We carried out quantitative research with 300 HR professionals in Singapore. Respondents were primarily responsible for Employee Experience, Human Resources and Payroll. Aperion research comms conducted the survey from the 16th to the 25th of May 2023.

With the data, we explore how:

• AI is helping to find trends
• There’s plenty more AI to come
• AI is here to shape the future of HR
• Soft skills a priority for AI-readiness
• Technical skills are also sought after
• AI is here to enhance our workforce
• It’s also helping to streamline processes
• Speed and efficiency are also top of mind
• Not everyone was sure about how to measure ROI
• Ethical use and job loss are still a cause for concern
• Junior employees aren’t sure how they feel about AI
• Singapore is excited about AI tools, not giant AI experiments
• Employees look to benefit from the further introduction of AI

What HR leaders can do to embrace AI

Want our advice on how you could use this report to take your next step into the world of AI and HR? Here’s some advice based on our findings:

Embrace the potential of AI

Our findings highlight the significant impact that AI can have on HR practices. As an HR leader, it is crucial to embrace the potential of AI and explore how it can enhance your work. Look for opportunities to integrate AI tools into your HR software and leverage them to streamline processes, improve employee engagement‌ and make data-driven decisions.

Focus on soft and technical skills

With the rise of AI, there is a growing need for HR leaders to develop a combination of soft and technical skills. Critical thinking, communication, adaptability,‌ and empathy are essential soft skills that will enable you to navigate the AI landscape effectively. Additionally, acquiring technical skills such as programming and data security will provide you with a competitive edge in leveraging AI technologies.

Measure ROI effectively

Measuring the return on investment (ROI) of AI initiatives is crucial to demonstrate their value to stakeholders. Take the time to understand how to accurately measure the impact of AI in your HR functions. Consider metrics related to cost savings, outcomes achieved‌ and increased revenue. By effectively measuring ROI, you can communicate the benefits of AI adoption and secure support for future initiatives.

Address trust and privacy concerns

As AI becomes more prevalent in HR, it is essential to address concerns related to trust and privacy. Ensure that ethical considerations are at the forefront of AI implementation, respecting employee privacy and establishing transparent AI governance principles. By prioritising trust and privacy, you can build confidence in AI technologies among employees and stakeholders.

Foster a human-centric approach

While AI can automate certain tasks and processes, it is crucial to maintain a human-centric approach to HR. Recognise the unique value that human skills bring, such as empathy, creativity,‌ and complex problem-solving. Strive for a balance between AI and human capabilities, leveraging AI to augment and support HR practices while keeping the focus on the human aspect of employee management.

Stay informed and adaptable

The field of AI is evolving rapidly, and it is important to stay informed about the latest developments and best practices. Continuously update your knowledge and skills to keep pace with the changing landscape. Be adaptable and open to new possibilities that AI can bring to HR, as it has the potential to enhance the way HR professionals work.

By following the advice off the back of our research, we hope you can navigate the intersection of AI and HR effectively, leverage its benefits‌ and drive positive outcomes for your organisation and employees. Embrace AI as a tool to enhance your capabilities, while maintaining a human-centric approach to create a harmonious and efficient HR ecosystem.

If you’re looking to find out how AI can benefit your business, our platform already hosts AI-enhanced HR and recruitment features designed to help you work easy. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to one of our team and get your demo booked in today.

Methodology and sample profile

We carried out quantitative research with 300 HR professionals in Singapore (the comparison data came from 315 respondents in Malaysia). The length of the survey was 5 minutes on average. Respondents were primarily responsible for Employee Experience, Human Resources and Payroll. Aperion research comms conducted the survey from the 16th to the 25th of May 2023.