Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries across the globe, and Human Resources is no exception. Amidst all the hype, it can be challenging to answer the question, "What can AI do for me?" We often hear about interactive features like chatbots, or heavily specialized logistics programs while others are focused on fears of being replaced by AI. These stories distract us from what AI can do for us in our jobs and while the future is unpredictable, one thing is clear: leveraging AI now can make HR professionals more productive, giving them a competitive edge.
What we refer to as AI today includes a group of products called Large Language Models (LLMs). These advanced systems are designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the vast amounts of data they have been trained on. They perform a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating reports, making them versatile tools in various industries, including HR.
Tools like ChatGPT from OpenAI or Claude from Anthropic can be thought of as your new assistant. This assistant doesn’t take time off, has access to the entire internet all at once, and can assist with nearly anything. When you sign up for a paid ChatGPT account ($20/mo), you can customize its interactions, set the tone, and provide information about your company like brand, culture and mission. It will remember your conversations and build on them. The key to success when using an LLM is in the prompting.
Effective Prompting Techniques
Prompting in an LLM refers to how users interact with these AI systems by providing specific instructions or questions to guide their responses. Essentially, it's about how you "ask" the AI to do something, whether it's generating text, answering questions, or performing a task. Effective prompting can significantly enhance the quality of the output you receive from the AI. For instance, if you want the AI to draft an email, your prompt might include details about the recipient, the purpose of the email, and any key points you want covered.
Examples of Effective Prompting:
Instead of: "Draft an email."
Try: "Draft an email to John Doe, our new hire, welcoming him to the company and providing details about his first day."
For those interested in learning more about AI prompting, several excellent online resources are available:
Coursera: Offers courses on AI and machine learning, including specific modules on effective prompting techniques.
LinkedIn Learning: Various courses that cover the basics of AI, including sections dedicated to using AI tools and effective prompting.
Section: Has many courses for every level of user from workshops to certificate programs for those who want to join the AI class.
Practical Applications in HR
Your new assistant doesn’t stop at helping with emails, written policies, or offer letters; it can analyze data too. Upload a spreadsheet and ask for the data relevant to what you need. Looking to propose a new initiative? Your new assistant can run an ROI analysis to include with your proposal, saving you time. Use it to practice your presentations; ask it to act as a specific person, and it will give you feedback that will be eerily close to human. People who integrate AI into their workflow are saving hours of time every week.
In the context of HR, AI, particularly through LLMs, is revolutionizing how companies approach recruitment, employee engagement, and talent management. These models can analyze resumes, conduct initial candidate screenings, and even assist in onboarding processes. They help identify the best candidates by sifting through large volumes of applications quickly and accurately, ensuring that HR professionals can focus on more strategic tasks. Additionally, AI-driven tools can enhance employee training programs by providing personalized learning experiences and real-time feedback, fostering a more engaged and skilled workforce.
Case Study Example: Imagine you work for a mid-sized tech company. The company is looking to hire a new software developer, and you have received hundreds of applications for the position. To streamline the recruitment process, you can use an AI-powered recruitment platform that leverages an LLM.
First, input the job description and the desired qualifications into the AI system. The AI then scans all the submitted resumes, analyzing them for relevant skills, experience, and keywords that match the job requirements. Within minutes, the AI sorts and ranks the candidates based on their fit for the role.
Next, you could even ask the AI to conduct initial screening interviews. The AI chatbot interacts with candidates, asking them standardized questions about their experience, skills, and career aspirations. These interactions are recorded and transcribed, allowing you to review the responses at your convenience.
Additionally, the AI system analyzes the interview responses to provide insights into each candidate's potential cultural fit and communication skills. It highlights standout candidates and flags any potential concerns, such as gaps in employment or inconsistencies in their answers.
With the AI handling the initial screening and analysis, you can focus your time on the most promising candidates and schedule in-depth interviews with the top-ranked applicants, confident that the AI has already identified individuals who meet the core requirements and show potential for success within the company. This use of AI not only saves significant time and effort but also helps ensure a more objective and efficient hiring process, ultimately leading to better hiring decisions. If you do not have an ATS with these tools built in, many of these tasks can be done through your new assistant with the right prompts.
Acknowledging Limitations
Now let’s be clear, you still have to do the work – there needs to be a human in the room. Your new assistant is so eager to please, it may occasionally make up an answer rather than let you down. It may also get confused and mix up the information; these are called hallucinations. Hallucinations are mistakes made by AI for various reasons; many of these mistakes can be mitigated with better prompting techniques. But anything of a sensitive nature or requiring hard facts needs to be verified.
Additionally, it is crucial to protect your company's sensitive data when using AI tools. Many AI platforms allow users to turn off data sharing, ensuring that your interactions and proprietary information remain confidential. Before integrating AI into your workflow, check the privacy settings and when necessary, disable any features that might share your data with the learning platform. This step is especially important when dealing with confidential HR information, such as employee records or strategic business plans. By taking these precautions, you can leverage AI's benefits while maintaining the integrity and security of your company’s data.
Whether you’ve never used AI or tried it and didn’t see the value right away, I encourage you to get in and play with it, take some classes, or research prompting tricks. Find some tasks you can experiment with, and the chances are pretty good you will find you can save some real time with a full-time assistant who works for just $20 a month. Some people are naming their assistants and find it is a very pleasant work relationship; but they won’t get you coffee, yet.
Shane is the Director of Marketing for Integris. With over a decade of experience in the background screening industry, he holds an advanced FCRA certification from the Professional Background Screening Association.
The information provided is not intended to constitute legal advice and is for informational purposes only.
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