AI to reshape workforce in professional services, staffing industries – study

PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES — Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is poised to reshape the workforce within major industries, with staffing giants like Robert Half and ManpowerGroup expected to experience significant changes.

The study, conducted by the Burning Glass Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management, analyzed Fortune 500 companies. It suggests that staffing giants and firms in finance, insurance, and professional services sectors are poised to face significant disruption from AI technologies.

Staffing industry braces for AI-driven changes

Robert Half, which ranks 16th on the list, sees an alarming 84.6% of its roles susceptible to AI influence. Meanwhile, ManpowerGroup finds itself with a lower, yet substantial, exposure score of 68.7%.

Also included in the list are ServiceNow (76.2%), IBM (72.4%), Emerson (70.3%), DXC Technology (68.7%), and Cognizant (65.5%).

The report also identifies the finance and insurance industries as the most exposed to generative AI’s impact. 

Companies like Edward Jones, New York Life, Equitable, and Northern Trust top the list with the highest AI exposure scores. This finding suggests that these sectors may need to rapidly adapt to the changing technological landscape to maintain their competitive edge.

The study emphasizes the urgency for business leaders to prepare for the AI-driven transformation. 

“Business leaders at these firms must begin planning for GenAI-driven disruption and devise ways to leverage GenAI to their advantage,” the report stated.

HR roles set for transformation

According to the report, HR roles could be transformed dramatically, with AI automating routine tasks and allowing HR professionals to focus on more strategic roles. This shift would not only affect job responsibilities but also require a reevaluation of HR’s role within organizations.

Manav Raj, an assistant professor at the Wharton School and co-author of the academic paper used by the Burning Glass Institute, remains cautious about the projections. 

Speaking to The New York Times, he described the efforts to understand generative AI’s impact as educated guesses. “The many papers out there generally conclude that this wave of AI has the potential to have a very large effect,” Raj said. “But it’s going to take some time to find out what that effect really looks like.”