How AI is Changing the Future of Work: Insights for HR Professionals
AI is no longer just hype or a vision of the future. It's already fully present in our work processes, customer interactions, and decision-making. Organizations that successfully integrate AI effectively benefit from increased flexibility, lower costs, and—equally important—more room for human and creative work. In the podcast "How AI is Changing the Future of Work" (in English), Jim Morris and AI expert Remy Gieling discuss what this technology means for organizations and professionals, particularly in the HR sector. Then listen to our latest The Relevance Podcast and welcome to the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Guests: Jim Morris (host) & Remy Gieling (AI expert, founder of AI.nl)
AI is not new, but the breakthrough is now
Although AI is often presented as new and revolutionary, the underlying technology has existed since the 1950s. What makes the difference now is the scale at which AI operates, thanks to big data, increased computing power, and cloud storage. For HR professionals, this is good news: the tools are already available and can be used immediately. The real challenge lies in adoption and integration.
AI as an accelerator of the 4th industrial revolution
AI is now considered the driving force behind the fourth industrial revolution. Just like steam power, electricity, and digitization, AI is changing the nature of work—particularly through machine learning, neural networks, and autonomous systems. HR departments will need to anticipate job transformations, new team compositions, and the need for reskilling. Only with a learning organization can you remain agile.
From fear to action: addressing AI resistance
Still, many employees feel skeptical or even fearful. And that’s understandable. Research by Edelman shows that 60 percent of workers feel uneasy about the idea of AI in the workplace. Uncertainty about the future, unclear human roles, and concerns about control all play a major role. That’s why HR has a key responsibility: ensure open communication, build support, and actively guide employees through the change.
AI tools for everyday HR & L&D applications
AI can immediately enhance HR and Learning & Development. There are already dozens of practical tools available that support daily tasks. Consider Fireflies.ai, which automatically transcribes and summarizes meetings, or Poised, which provides real-time feedback on communication skills during presentations or meetings. AI systems can even help ensure objective hiring and promotion. In one experiment, the use of AI led to 40 percent more women in leadership roles—a powerful way to break unconscious bias.
To steer this technological acceleration within the organization, it's worthwhile to appoint someone dedicated to discovering and applying new AI tools. Call them a Chief Automation Officer or an AI Ambassador. This person doesn’t need to be a programmer but should be enthusiastic about technology and able to engage colleagues in using it.
New skills: Prompt writing & AI communication
Another essential theme highlighted in the podcast is the importance of new skills. One of these is prompt writing—formulating effective instructions for AI systems like ChatGPT. Those who know what they want and can express it clearly will get better output from AI. Major tech companies like Anthropic are now paying up to $300,000 per year for top ‘prompt engineers’. For HR, this opens up opportunities: organize internal training or pilots to develop this skill more broadly within your team.
AI & Ethics
At the same time, we must not ignore the ethical side of AI. According to recent research, only 4 percent of jobs will disappear, but 96 percent will change fundamentally. AI also consumes a lot of energy—sustainability is a concern. And although it may sound futuristic, military applications of AI already raise alarm. Think of autonomous drones or armed robots. Regulation and oversight remain crucial.
If you want to use AI effectively, you have to start somewhere. A practical starting point is the tool page on AI.nl, where you’ll find an overview of more than 70 current AI tools. Many are easy to use without technical knowledge. Let employees experiment with tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, or Copilot. Also consider how to incorporate AI into your KPIs—for example, through time savings, improved efficiency, or new learning interventions.
Conclusion
AI is not a goal in itself but a means for HR to work smarter, more fairly, and more strategically. Companies that actively help their people collaborate with AI are building sustainable growth and resilience in a rapidly changing world.
