Recent trends in corporate management show an increasing tendency to merge Human Resources (HR) and Information Technology (IT) departments under a single leadership. This shift is driven largely by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in business operations. A survey conducted by Nexthink reveals that 64% of senior IT decision-makers at large firms anticipate a merger of these functions within the next five years.
Tracey Franklin, Chief People and Digital Technology Officer at Moderna, oversees both HR and IT, a role that requires her to navigate the intersection of human resource management and technology development. She emphasizes the need for a unified approach to work processes, particularly in leveraging AI and other technologies to enhance productivity.
Moderna has partnered with OpenAI to train its employees in AI application, aiming to equip them with tools that can reshape their workflows. Franklin, who transitioned from an HR-focused role, acknowledges that while she leads both departments, the specialized functions of HR and IT professionals remain unchanged.
Covisian, a customer care service provider, similarly combined its HR and IT teams under Fabio Sattolo, who believes the merger facilitates a shared vision on utilizing technology for employee development. The company is actively integrating AI into its call center operations, emphasizing that human agents will utilize AI to enhance customer service.
However, David D’Souza from the CIPD cautions against merging HR and IT departments entirely, suggesting that while collaboration is beneficial, the distinct skill sets of each field are vital for addressing complex people issues and require specialized expertise.
At online bank Bunq, the integration of IT and HR is viewed as a natural collaboration, with the aim of creating AI-driven systems that empower employees. The company plans to automate a significant portion of operations by the end of 2025 without laying off staff, indicating a focus on evolving roles rather than redundancy. This shift reflects a broader trend where organizations rethink how work is conducted in the age of AI.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0w8gvq84xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss