In response to UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, the CIPD has reiterated the people profession’s crucial role in helping organisations to adopt AI ethically and responsibly.  

Plans to boost the AI across the UK’s public services could bring significant productivity gains to the UK economy. By letting AI handle repetitive and administrative tasks, it could free up public sector workers to deliver more human public services and make jobs in the public sector more fulfilling  

But AI is not without risks, and employers must monitor and manage these carefully – with the people profession at the forefront of discussionsA recent CIPD poll reveals that 60% of respondents would trust AI to inform, but not make, important workplace decisions. This insight underscores the need to maintain human oversight when adopting AI, to ensure it’s done ethically and responsibly.  

HR’s role in the responsible and ethical adoption of AI at work 

HR teams have an important role to play in creating clear workplace guidance, covering: 

  • the ethical and responsible use of AI at work 
  • data security 
  • fair treatment of people  
  • how to reskill the workforce to ensure no one gets left behind 

 

“Organisations should foster a culture of cross-team collaboration, helping employees develop their skills or reskill as necessary to ensure no one gets left behind as AI transforms workplaces and careers.”  

Hayfa Mohdzaini, Senior Policy and Practice Adviser, CIPD.

Support for HR teams to manage the risks and opportunities AI brings to the workplace 

A new ‘Focus on AI’ resource page on the CIPD website brings together a range of evidence and insights to build HR practitioners’ confidence to make informed decisions and manage the risks and opportunities appropriately.   



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the CIPD

Championing better work and working lives

At the CIPD, we champion better work and working lives. We help organisations to thrive by focusing on their people, supporting economies and society for the future. We lead debate as the voice for everyone wanting a better world of work. 

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