Transforming Human Resources: The Impact of AI with Insights from Microsoft

PLUS: What GenZ thinks about AI at work and how the White House is combating AI deepfakes with updated authentication

Today we discuss how artificial intelligence integrations are improving HR functionality by digging directly into how Microsoft is using AI internally.

We also highlight Gen Z’s approach to AI and how this is impacting their professional careers and future outlook.

Let’s get to it!

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Microsoft's Strategic Partnership with Mistral AI

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Microsoft has announced a significant multiyear partnership with Mistral, a French AI startup valued at €2 billion. This collaboration marks Microsoft's continued investment in the AI sector, following its previous $10 billion investment in OpenAI. As part of the deal, Microsoft will take a minor stake in Mistral, a 10-month-old company that has quickly gained prominence in the AI industry. The partnership aims to integrate Mistral's open and commercial language models into Microsoft's Azure AI platform, making it the second company after OpenAI to offer a commercial language model on Azure. This move is expected to enhance the development and deployment of next-generation large language models.

Mistral is also launching a new AI model called Mistral Large, designed to compete with OpenAI's GPT-4 model. Unlike its previous models, Mistral Large will not be open source, but it promises strong results on commonly used benchmarks. The model will be available on Mistral's infrastructure in Europe or through Azure AI Studio and Azure Machine Learning. Additionally, Mistral is introducing a new chatbot, Le Chat, based on its AI models. The partnership with Microsoft enables Mistral to explore more commercial opportunities while maintaining its commitment to open-source models. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of AI in the tech industry and the competitive race to develop advanced language models.

Generative AI and the Confidence of Gen Z

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Gen Z, often referred to as "AI natives," is showing a remarkable comfort level with generative AI technologies in educational and professional settings. Unlike older generations, many in Gen Z view AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E as opportunities to gain a competitive career edge. This generation's familiarity with AI is evident in their academic pursuits, with many college students enrolling in AI courses and planning to use generative AI in their future jobs.

Surveys indicate that Gen Z is more likely than older generations to want to learn AI skills, with many believing that AI will help advance their careers by providing faster access to knowledge and insights. Despite concerns about the potential job disruptions caused by AI, Gen Z's focus on studying technology in school may position them better in the job market compared to their elders. The majority of U.S. adults may be apprehensive about AI's risks, but Gen Z's optimism and proactive approach to learning AI skills suggest that they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of the digital age.

White House's Initiative to Verify Biden's Communications

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The White House is taking proactive steps to ensure that communications from President Joe Biden are verifiably authentic in an era where generative AI can easily create convincing deepfakes. With the rapid advancement of AI tools, there's a growing concern about the spread of misinformation through fake images, videos, and voice calls. Ben Buchanan, Biden's Special Advisor for Artificial Intelligence, has indicated that the White House is working on a method to cryptographically verify all official communications, whether they are written statements or videos.

This initiative aims to provide the public with a reliable way to distinguish authentic White House releases from potential deepfakes. The effort to verify communications is separate from the executive order on AI, which established an AI Safety Institute to develop standards for watermarking content. Buchanan emphasized that the goal is to ensure that viewers can immediately recognize the authenticity of White House videos, thereby preventing misinformation and maintaining trust in government sources. This initiative reflects the White House's recognition of the potential harm posed by generative AI and its commitment to staying ahead of technological challenges.

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Transforming Human Resources: The Impact of AI with Insights from Microsoft

The integration of artificial intelligence into human resources is reshaping the landscape of workforce management. Microsoft exemplifies successful applications of AI in HR, demonstrating the potential of this technology to streamline operations and enhance decision-making.

At Microsoft, the company's HR team has harnessed AI to save over 20,000 hours annually, primarily through an AI-powered HR chatbot. This chatbot efficiently handles routine employee inquiries, from leave policies to benefits information. This allows HR professionals to concentrate on tasks that require a human touch.

Amy Coleman, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of HR & Corporate Functions, highlights the dual role of technology in enhancing both efficiency and humanity within HR practices. She stated, “We’re trying to make it as personalized as possible and as accurate as possible –take some of the human error out of it and allow the HR professional who’s interacting with you to be more about empathy and an understanding of the context.” By automating repetitive tasks, the HR team can allocate more time to meaningful interactions. Aspects such as coaching leaders and fostering a culture of empathy and understanding.

Top 5 Applications of AI in HR

1. Recruitment Optimization: AI revolutionizes recruitment by automating resume screening, candidate matching, and initial interviews. This not only accelerates the hiring process but also ensures a more objective evaluation of candidates.
2. Data-Driven Performance Reviews: AI systems can monitor and analyze employee performance, providing insights for more accurate appraisals. This data-driven approach helps identify development opportunities and fosters a culture of transparency and accountability.
3. Streamlined Onboarding: AI simplifies the onboarding experience by automating administrative tasks, guiding new hires through essential procedures, and personalizing their training programs. This ensures a smooth transition and quick integration into the company.
4. Personalized Talent Development: AI tailors learning and development initiatives to individual employee needs, aligning them with their career aspirations and the company's strategic goals. This targeted approach maximizes the impact of training and development efforts.
5. Strategic Workforce Planning: AI aids in forecasting future talent needs by analyzing current workforce capabilities, industry trends, and business objectives. This proactive approach allows for strategic hiring and skill development to meet evolving organizational demands.

The integration of AI into HR is offering solutions that enhance efficiency, objectivity, and employee engagement. Microsoft's application of AI in HR serves as an example for companies seeking to leverage this technology. By embracing AI-driven tools, organizations can modernize their HR practices, making them more responsive to the dynamic needs of their employees and the business landscape.

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The Simply Augmented Team