Canada: use of artificial intelligence remains low within companies, according to HR

8 août 2022

Human resources (HR) plays an important role in organizations. In Canada, the College of Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRP) conducted a web-based survey of 304 Certified Human Resources and Industrial Relations Professionals (CHIRP) working in business and found that the use of AI within organizations is low and that there are many barriers to taking advantage of its full potential.

Canada is world-renowned in AI, with renowned educational institutions, world-class researchers, and leading technology companies. In 2017, it commissioned CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Strategy, the second phase of which it recently launched, yet this survey revealed a significant gap between AI development and implementation.

Manon Poirier, CHRP, executive director of the College of CHRP, states:

“The use of AI in organizations still seems a bit timid. Yet, with one of the highest concentrations of researchers in the world, a multitude of centers of excellence, startups and incubators, as well as government support through public funds, Quebec is a world-renowned hub for artificial intelligence. The gap between what is experienced on the ground and the immense potential of Quebec in AI is surprising.”

HR teams play a critical role in the organization of companies: HRM (personnel management), recruitment, training, payroll and benefits management, as well as policy and guideline development. AI has the potential to simplify, among other things, the recruiting process and payroll management yet 60% of the CHRAs or CRIAs surveyed say their organization has not integrated or does not plan to integrate AI into their day-to-day operations, or the situation does not apply.

The “Use of Artificial Intelligence through the Lens of Human Resource Management” Survey

In the context of a labor shortage, the use of AI for human resource management could help to:

Optimize the process 84.27%;
Increase productivity 62.92%;
Eliminate repetitive tasks 57.30%;
Improve employee retention and loyalty factors 19.10%;
Alleviate labour shortage 25.84%.

Regarding the obstacles encountered when integrating AI within their company, respondents mentioned:

Employee resistance to change 40.45%;
Lack of training for use 31.46%;
Fear of elimination of positions within the organization 23.60%;
Increased qualifications required to fill positions 22.47%;
Don’t know/does not apply 22.47%;
Difficulty in assimilating and practically integrating new technologies 20.22%;
Less human and friendly interactions 17.98%;
Lack of evidence to properly inform AI 15.73%;
Complexity due to reorganization of work (reduction of certain tasks or time allocated to those tasks)
time allocated to those tasks) 12.36%;
Other 5.62%;
None 3.37%.

When asked about the reasons for the non-integration of AI within their company, it would be due, according to them, to:

Lack of resources (financial, human, technological, etc.) 47.22
The use of these technologies has never really been discussed within the organization 38.89%;
Insufficient knowledge of AI-related technologies and their potential benefits 37.04%;
Not necessary for job performance 24.07%;
A lack of time (research, evaluation, implementation, training….) 19.44%;
Organizational culture resistant to change (employees and/or management) 12.04%;
Don’t know/does not apply 11.11%;
The sensitive nature of data management 9.26%;
New technologies, including AI, appear intimidating 4.63%.

Of those surveyed, 15.71% say they use AI while 75.86% say they do not. They think their company should integrate AI in the following areas:

Recruiting 46.38%;
Workforce planning (departures, leaves, promotion…) 38.72%;
Skills development 28.94%;
Work organization 25.96%;
Health, safety and wellness 21.28%;
Compensation 17.87%;
Retention 17.45%;
Don’t know/does not apply 15.74%;
Equity, diversity and inclusion management 8.09%;
None 3.40%;
Labor Relations 2.55%;
Other 0.85%.

CHRPs/CRIAs could support organizations in managing the change that comes with implementing AI technologies as well as supporting workers to successfully use them.

Translated from Canada : l’utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle reste faible au sein des entreprises selon les RH