When we look back at 2019, it’s hard to deny it was another banner year for HR technology.  With so many advancements, HR continues its digital transformation.  There is no end in sight and that is both exciting and a bit terrifying for the same reason:  HR professionals have no idea where the road is going.

The big star of the year was, without a doubt, artificial intelligence.  It's rise as an HR technology can be described a meteoric in nature.  It continues to be adapted to all areas of human resources such as a data gathering and automation.  It is also the base technology behind the increasing use of chat bots and machine learning.

Virtual reality is another technology on the way up.  Primarily used as a gaming technology, VR is now being used by HR as a recruitment tool.  How?  Companies are deploying the technology as a way for potential employees to visit the company headquarters without ever having step foot on the property.  It's also being used to assess job candidates' skills before proceeding with an interview.  VR is also being used as a learning tool -- allowing companies to test and train for soft skills.  It's also being used as a way to train employees on difficult subjects such as workplace violence and sexual harassment.  Not only can employees learn how to deal with these issues, they can do so in a safe environment.

The sky is the limit and the 2020 stage has been set for more exciting advancement.  As we move into the new year, here are the Top 10 HR Tech Articles of 2019.

Best of HR Tech

1. Why HR is at the Center of Digital Transformation

“Digital transformation is primarily about mindset, people and processes and not technology.  HR is in the people business and any successful digital transformation relies on significant contributions from HR professionals.”

HR Technologist contributor Ashish Deshpande writes the digital transformation is neither a single project nor a single technology.  Really, it’s about modernizing and bringing a much stronger digital footprint to bear in the organization.  A big piece of that is reliant on the people and business processes at any given company.  Deshpande takes a deep dive into the topic explaining several points including how HR plays a dual role in today’s world and why the digital transformation is crucial for talent acquisition.  Read more here.

2. AI and Blockchain in Human Resources

Since their individual inceptions, both artificial intelligence and blockchain have been looked at as viable HR technologies.  Now, Dr. Tirath Virdee, the director of Artificial Intelligence for Capita Plc says the “whole employee life cycle will be disrupted by the implementation of digital identity in the form that can be realized using Blockchain technology.”  AI, which is a bit older than blockchain, is already being used and in droves.  For instance, AI has already been built into many strategies including that of recruitment.  To read more from Dr. Virdee on how artificial intelligence and blockchain continue to disrupt HR, click here.

3. HR tech is amazing equalizer in quest for diversity and inclusion

“In the world of HR, technology can truly be an amazing equalizer. After all, even with the best of intentions, implicit biases may sneak into the resume selection of even the most well-intentioned of managers.” 

For some time now HR professionals have tried, and failed in some respects, to remove bias from the recruitment process.  It’s not an easy prospect.  Leaders are looking everywhere for strategies that put an end to bias.  Enter HR technology.  In her piece published on Campaign Live, Gradient managing partner Pauline Oudin discusses how technology can be leveraged to stave off the impact of bias on the recruitment process.  Going a step further, Oudin also discusses what needs to get done in order for technology to work with respect to diversity and inclusion.  Read more here.

4. Digital HR: What Is It and What’s Next?

Technology has changed the game for everyone, including human resources.  In his latest piece published on the HR Exchange Network, Dave Ulrich focuses on the implications of HR Technology, which he says can be grouped into four phases of evolution in Digital HR.  Those include efficiency and information as well as innovation and connection.  Ulrich takes a closer look at each one and explains how technology is being used in these areas.  Click here to read more.

5. Uniting VR and AI to supercharge HR practices

Innovation Enterprise Channels author Caitlin Stanway-Williams starts out this piece with a keen observation.

“Place a worker from 30 years ago in an office today and they would probably feel like they had been dropped in an alien world.”

Stanway-Williams says this has been driven by the data boom of the past decade.  In fact, data has created a number of solutions that have had an impact on HR practices including artificial intelligence and virtual reality.  She says “88% of companies worldwide use some form of AI in their HR practices.”  Stanway-Williams explains how VR and AI are developing empathy skills and training workers.

6. Empowering HR Leaders with Technology to Improve Engagement and Retention

Technology is a powerful tool.  When it comes to Human Resources, it can empower leaders.  That’s according to ion Learning CEO Shavon Lindley.  In her article on the HR Technologist, Lindley explores this idea and offers some real ways technology improves the working lives of HR professionals.  Read it here.

7. AI in HR

Artificial intelligence is pushing humans and machines closer together.  It’s exciting!  AI’s influences are being felt across the HR space… being used to automate business processes, enhance efficiency, and reduce bias among other things.  In fact, McKinsey’s latest forecast of AI’s impact on the global economy is that it will generate $13 trillion in economic activity across the globe by 2030. But there is room for improvement.  Read how by clicking here.

8. The Legal Impact of AI on HR

Should the use of artificial intelligence be legislated? If you don’t know your position on the question, read this article to help you decide.  It provides some of the latest developments in the AI space and what’s at stake at the federal and state level with regards to the technology and how it may or may not impact HR as a whole. 

9. Recruit Like A Social Media Influencer

Are you recruiting like a social media influencer?  If you’re an HR professional using or looking to use social media as a recruitment tool, you need to seriously consider taking this approach.  And the data supports the embracing of the strategy.  Young Americans, according to a survey from Morning Consult, say their dream job is to be a social media influencer.  A stunning 85 percent of Millennials or Generation Z people, ages 13 to 38, say they’re willing to give the gig a shot.  Imagine the results if a company could turn these workers into recruiting social media influencers?  Click here for more.

10. The Changing Workforce Landscape

Innovation is doing the same thing, but better. Disruption is doing new things that make the old ways obsolete.  The digital revolution, the popularity of social media and the market entry of accessible artificial intelligence have dramatically changed the way we live, impacting every market in every industry, forcing companies to adapt – and fast.  And it’s had a major impact on the workforce.  Atrium Health and HR Exchange Network Contributor Sebastien Girard explains in his article here.

Want more content faster?  Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  And don't forget to join our LinkedIn group!

Photo courtesy:  Pexels