Edition #22 [AI reshaping HR, Skills-based hiring, Gen Z, More AI, Digital HR excellence, well-being, More AI, Digital transformation ...]

HRElevate: People & Tech News #22: 2025 is here and it's game on! ???

With AI reshaping every corner of work, technology adoption accelerating, and change management becoming our new core competency, we're stepping into a radical new era.? But, we're not just along for the ride—we're in the driver's seat, ready to elevate HR from a support function to a strategic powerhouse. Time to flex those creative muscles, embrace technology, and show everyone what HR can really do. LFG! ??

It's clear that organizations are at a critical turning point. We've got AI evolving at breakneck speed, skills gaps widening, and workforce expectations shifting dramatically, while employer/employee trust continues to deteriorate. It’s not ok. But, it’s also not just HR's job to deal with. Every single person in the organization (especially leadership) has a role to play in tackling these challenges and in seizing the opportunities they present. The opportunity is there … waiting … almost begging for someone to take ownership.

Look, the AI revolution isn't coming - it's here. And, whether you like it or not,? it’s reshaping everything we do. But are we, as entire organizations, ready for it? Too often, companies treat AI literacy as something only the tech team needs to worry about. That's old-school thinking. We need to create a culture where everyone, from the CEO to the newest intern, is excited about learning and adapting to new technologies and processes.

And it's not just about AI. Think about how we manage goals and align with company values. Clear objectives drive performance, right? But in how many companies do people really understand how work contributes to the bigger picture?

Change management is another area where organizations tend to struggle. In today's world, the ability to navigate change isn't a nice-to-have, it's essential. Organizations need to invest in building change resilience across the board. This isn't about HR running a few workshops; it's about creating a mindset where adapting to change is part of everyone's job description.

Here's the bottom line: the competitive edge that organizations can gain from a skilled, motivated, and prepared workforce is huge. But to get there, we need to stop thinking of learning and development as HR's responsibility and start seeing it as a core part of the business strategy.

HRTech businesses like Peoplelogic need to adapt too! We get that you need more than just software. That's why we've crafted three killer workshops that dive deep into OKRs, tech adoption, and performance metrics. We're not just building modern performance tools; we're building resources to help organizations break through bottlenecks and accelerate their potential.

What might this look like in practice at your organization?

Imagine leaders at every level fostering a culture where continuous growth is not just encouraged, but celebrated and rewarded. What if we reimagined our approach to everything from onboarding to performance reviews, with a laser focus on constant people development?

The future of work seems to favor organizations that are not just knowledgeable, but inherently adaptable and innovative. Perhaps it's time to move beyond merely discussing the importance of investing in our people, and instead weave this principle into the very fabric of our organizations. Could this be the moment for a fundamental shift in our approach to people development?

What if your organization took the lead in this transformation? How might that reshape your competitive edge and organizational culture? Something to think about for sure.

Here are this week's articles:

TL;DR:

→ AI reshaping HR: AI transforming talent acquisition and boosting productivity

→ Skills-based hiring: Gaining momentum as traditional methods falter

→ Gen Z job paradox: Young talent burning out faster, demanding more from employers

→ Digital HR excellence: Strategies for HR leaders to embrace digital transformation

→ Employee well-being: Headspace crucial for optimal work performance

→ Future of work trends: AI to transform 90% of jobs in the next decade

AI's next act reshapes talent acquisition, productivity

URL: https://www.hrdive.com/news/HR-2025-trends/736360/ Publisher: HR Dive

Overview: AI is becoming the primary focus for HR in 2025, reshaping talent acquisition and boosting productivity across organizations.

Key Points:

• Companies are incorporating AI directly into areas such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, and sentiment analysis
• AI is changing how recruiters and applicants participate in the job search process, with automated job matching becoming more prevalent
• The first wave of AI adoption focused on "first-tier employee services," while the next step involves more complex HR functions

There's 'huge opportunity' for AI to lift HR up, says Google Cloud's head of HR

URL: https://www.unleash.ai/artificial-intelligence/theres-huge-opportunity-for-ai-to-lift-hr-up-says-google-clouds-head-of-hr/ Publisher: UNLEASH

Overview: Google Cloud's HR head emphasizes the significant potential of AI to elevate HR functions and improve overall organizational performance.

Key Points:

• AI presents opportunities for HR to automate routine tasks, allowing focus on more strategic initiatives
• The technology can enhance decision-making processes by providing data-driven insights and predictive analytics
• AI implementation in HR requires careful consideration of ethical implications and potential biases

OpenAI's Sam Altman has predicted virtual employees this year - here's what that might look like

URL: https://www.unleash.ai/artificial-intelligence/our-take-openais-sam-altman-has-predicted-virtual-employees-this-year-heres-what-that-might-look-like/ Publisher: UNLEASH

Overview: Sam Altman's prediction of virtual employees becoming a reality in 2025 sparks discussions about the future of work and AI integration.

Key Points:

• Virtual employees could handle routine tasks, customer service, and even some decision-making processes
• The concept raises questions about job displacement and the changing nature of human-AI collaboration in the workplace
• Implementing virtual employees will require significant changes in organizational structure and management practices

What will 2025 bring for HR? Top analysts share their predictions

URL: https://www.unleash.ai/future-of-work/what-will-2025-bring-for-hr-top-analysts-share-their-predictions/ Publisher: UNLEASH

Overview: Leading HR analysts provide insights into the key trends and challenges that will shape the HR landscape in 2025.

Key Points:

• Continued focus on skills-based hiring and the importance of upskilling and reskilling initiatives
• Increased emphasis on employee well-being and mental health support in the workplace
• The growing role of HR in driving organizational sustainability and social responsibility efforts

Cracking the code: Fixing the retention problem in the tech industry

URL: https://hrexecutive.com/cracking-the-code-fixing-the-retention-problem-in-the-tech-industry/ Publisher: HR Executive

Overview: The tech industry continues to grapple with retention challenges, prompting a reevaluation of employee engagement and retention strategies.

Key Points:

• High turnover rates in tech are driven by factors such as burnout, lack of growth opportunities, and competitive job markets
• Successful retention strategies include personalized career development plans and fostering a strong company culture
• Flexible work arrangements and competitive benefits packages are becoming increasingly important for tech talent retention

Change will accelerate in 2025: How HR can keep up

URL: https://hrexecutive.com/change-will-accelerate-in-2025-how-hr-can-keep-up/ Publisher: HR Executive

Overview: As the pace of change continues to accelerate, HR departments must adapt quickly to remain effective and relevant.

Key Points:

• Agile HR practices are becoming essential to respond to rapidly changing business needs and workforce expectations
• Continuous learning and development programs are crucial for keeping HR professionals up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies
• HR needs to embrace data-driven decision-making and predictive analytics to anticipate and address future challenges

Skills-based hiring: Where we stand heading into 2025

URL: https://hrexecutive.com/skills-based-hiring-where-we-stand-heading-into-2025/ Publisher: HR Executive

Overview: Skills-based hiring continues to gain traction as organizations recognize its potential to address talent shortages and improve diversity

Key Points:

• More companies are moving away from degree requirements in favor of assessing specific skills and competencies
• Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating skills-based hiring through advanced assessment tools and AI-powered matching
• Challenges remain in standardizing skills assessments and overcoming ingrained biases in traditional hiring practices

What's keeping HR up? 5 key takeaways about changing priorities

URL: https://hrexecutive.com/whats-keeping-hr-up-5-key-takeaways-about-changing-priorities/ Publisher: HR Executive

Overview: HR leaders are grappling with evolving priorities as they navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.

Key Points:

• Employee well-being and mental health have become top priorities for HR departments
• The need for continuous upskilling and reskilling is putting pressure on HR to develop more robust learning and development programs
• Balancing remote and in-office work arrangements continues to be a challenge for many organizations

Sorting through 7 effective tips to improve managers' performance and skill

URL: https://www.thehrdigest.com/sorting-through-7-effective-tips-to-improve-managers-performance-and-skill/ Publisher: The HR Digest

Overview: Enhancing managerial performance is crucial for organizational success, with focus on developing key skills and behaviors.

Key Points:

• Regular feedback and coaching are essential for continuous improvement of managerial skills
• Emotional intelligence and communication skills are increasingly important for effective leadership
• Encouraging a growth mindset and promoting continuous learning can significantly improve managerial performance

Why candidate experience matters more than ever

URL: https://www.thehrdigest.com/why-candidate-experience-matters-more-than-ever/ Publisher: The HR Digest

Overview: A positive candidate experience has become crucial in attracting top talent and maintaining a strong employer brand.

Key Points:

• Candidates' expectations for a seamless and transparent hiring process have increased significantly
• Poor candidate experiences can negatively impact an organization's reputation and ability to attract talent
• Technology plays a key role in enhancing candidate experience through improved communication and streamlined processes

The future of work: Key trends in employee benefits for 2025

URL: https://www.thehrdigest.com/the-future-of-work-key-trends-in-employee-benefits-for-2025/ Publisher: The HR Digest

Overview: Employee benefits are evolving to meet the changing needs and expectations of the modern workforce.

Key Points:

• Personalized and flexible benefits packages are becoming the norm, allowing employees to choose options that best suit their needs
• Mental health support and wellness programs are increasingly important components of employee benefits
• Financial wellness benefits, including student loan repayment assistance, are gaining popularity among younger workers

The Gen Z job paradox: Why fresh talent is fading fast

URL: https://www.thehrdigest.com/the-gen-z-job-paradox-why-fresh-talent-is-fading-fast/ Publisher: The HR Digest

Overview: Gen Z workers are experiencing burnout and disillusionment early in their careers, presenting challenges for retention and engagement.

Key Points:

• Gen Z employees are seeking purpose-driven work and rapid career advancement opportunities
• Work-life balance and mental health support are top priorities for this generation
• Traditional career paths and hierarchical structures are less appealing to Gen Z workers

Digital excellence in HR: Strategies for HR leaders in 2025

URL: https://hrnews.co.uk/digital-excellence-in-hr-strategies-for-hr-leaders-in-2025/ Publisher: HR News

Overview: HR leaders must embrace digital transformation to drive organizational success and enhance employee experiences.

Key Points:

• AI and machine learning are becoming integral to HR processes, from recruitment to performance management
• Data analytics and predictive modeling are essential for strategic workforce planning and decision-making
• Digital platforms are enhancing employee engagement and facilitating more effective communication and collaboration

Headspace is the number one thing employees need to enable them to do their best work, according to new global study

URL: https://hrnews.co.uk/headspace-is-the-number-one-thing-employees-need-to-enable-them-to-do-their-best-work-according-to-new-global-study/ Publisher: HR News

Overview: A global study reveals that mental clarity and focus, or "headspace," is crucial for employee productivity and well-being.

Key Points:

• Employees cite mental clarity as more important than physical workspace or technology for optimal performance
• Stress management and mindfulness programs are becoming essential components of employee wellness initiatives
• Organizations are exploring ways to create work environments that promote focus and reduce distractions