38% of HR embraces generative AI – Gartner survey

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by Gartner Inc. revealed the growing adoption of generative AI (GenAI) in human resources (HR) functions.
The research and advisory company revealed that 38% of 179 HR leaders surveyed in January this year were already experimenting with or implementing the technology, from 19% in June 2023.
Gartner shared that the top use cases of AI in HR include enhancing chatbots (43%), streamlining operations through document generation and administrative task automation (42%), and advancing recruiting (41%).
“Yet 67% of HR leaders reported they do not plan to add any GenAI related roles to their function in the next 12 months,” noted Dion Love, Vice President of Advisory in the Gartner HR practice.
However, Eser Rizaoglu, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner HR practice, pointed to uncertainty around the impact of GenAI on HR headcount, with expectations of a 5.1% decrease in roles.
“HR must work with business leaders across the organization to assess how GenAI investments should change their teams’ roles and workflows and the impact [on] current employees and future hiring needs,” Rizaoglu added.
The survey highlighted HR’s proactive preparation for integrating GenAI, including:
- upskilling employees (34%)
- hiring talent with AI skills (29%)
- training staff for AI-enhanced workflows (28%)
On the other hand, 41% of respondents admitted to not initiating any GenAI training yet.
“The organizations that are able to leverage GenAI to the fullest – and generate the most ROI – will be those that trust and empower their HR function to work with business leaders to pilot new programs, add new roles, and train their workforce,” Rizaoglu emphasized.
A separate Gartner survey revealed that 34% of chief financial officers (CFOs) participate in crafting GenAI approaches at their organizations. This places CFOs behind chief technology officers (55%) and chief information officers (48%).