--- description: Capterra surveyed 1,376 SME employees to discover trends in the use of AI in HR in Australia. What are the opportunities or concerns? Read more to find out. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress title: AI in HR: Outlook and adoption by SMEs in Australia --- # Are SMEs leveraging AI in HR to help with decision-making processes? Canonical: https://www.capterra.com.au/blog/4107/study-on-the-future-of-ai-in-hr-australia Published on 31/07/2023 | Written by Laura Burgess. ![Are SMEs leveraging AI in HR to help with decision-making processes?](https://images.ctfassets.net/63bmaubptoky/4hXNWOP8M3bBuVf5UOfCfx/d113fdce3d95fcaf52da4d8a91d0d6a9/ai-in-hr-employee-exit-AU-Cap-Header.png) > With artificial intelligence (AI) tools popping up everywhere, human resource (HR) departments may find AI data helpful with hiring, retention or lay-off decision-making. But are small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leveraging AI data to transform these HR processes? Capterra surveyed over 1,300 SME employees regarding the implementation and concerns of AI in HR in Australia. ----- ## Article Content With artificial intelligence (AI) tools popping up everywhere, human resource (HR) departments may find AI data helpful with hiring, retention or lay-off decision-making. But are small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leveraging AI data to transform these HR processes? Capterra surveyed over 1,300 SME employees regarding the implementation and concerns of AI in HR in Australia. In this articleOne in five Australian SMEs use AI in HR71% of employees are uncomfortable with AI determining lay-offsHow the use of AI in HR decision-making may affect employeesEmployees think training is the most trustworthy use of AI in HRThe future of AI in HR decision-makingThe technology landscape continues to evolve in the workplace as AI tools can help HR professionals deal with the everyday challenges that their departments may face. Capterra's first article in this two-part series on employee exit strategies looked at how Australian SMEs manage offboarding processes. Whilst AI can help with various HR-related tasks, such as onboarding, retention and redundancy procedures, it is no stranger to controversy. HR-related decisions made by AI tools may come with ethical concerns. For HR professionals, it's vital to avoid unconscious bias or favouritism with potential new hires, promotions or redundancies. Rules must be in place if companies incorporate AI data into decision-making processes to ensure they treat employees fairly. Australia has yet to implement specific legislation or regulations solely dedicated to AI. So what are the general opportunities and concerns about using technology to aid HR professionals? Capterra interviewed 1,376 employees working in the same company for the last year to understand how Australian SMEs use AI in HR. The full methodology is available at the bottom of this article.   One in five Australian SMEs use AI in HRThe use of AI in HR can save HR professionals time by automating manual tasks, such as finding applicants that match job descriptions, scheduling interviews, shortlisting skilled candidates and personalising employee training programs. Surprisingly, Capterra found that most SMEs (60%) don't use HR-related AI tools, according to employees surveyed. Only one in five (21%) said their HR department uses AI technology in any aspect. SMEs will likely have a smaller workforce and a tight budget to invest in tools initially. But HR-related AI tools can help automate certain tasks where employee resources are limited, especially for newer businesses. This enables employees to focus on tasks humans may do more effectively with soft skills, such as communication and empathy. AI technologies have been integrated into various HR tools and can help automate repetitive processes, analyse large datasets and make data-driven decisions. Employees might be unaware that AI is incorporated into HR tools, meaning more SMEs may use it than stated. HR tool adoption can also vary among SMEs as companies will want to embrace software for processes that are specific to their needs. Capterra asked survey-takers who said their HR department uses software to share which tools they are using. Unsurprisingly, the most popular are HR (35%) and HR analytics software (35%). These were followed by:Employee recognition software (30%)Attendance tracking tools (29%)Performance appraisal software (28%)When it comes to adopting new technologies, there are likely to be challenges for any company. The barriers that companies face investing in new tools were highlighted in Capterra's Buyer Behaviours Survey in 2022. Tips for HR: Start small when investing in HR tools, focusing on specific pain points or areas where AI can bring immediate value. Identify challenges, such as employee performance management, which may require software to aid skills assessment or goal setting. Investing in tools requires ongoing evaluation and adaptation for long-term success. 71% of employees are uncomfortable with AI determining lay-offsFor the employees who said their company's HR department uses AI technology in some aspect, over half of respondents (52%) said they are concerned about AI-powered HR in general. It is understandable that some workers may have ethical concerns about HR tools assisting in making decisions in sensitive areas such as employee dismissals. Most survey respondents (71%) said they are uncomfortable with AI technology determining which employees to lay off in their company, with only 29% feeling comfortable. When asked why they felt uncomfortable, survey-takers mostly said, 'it’s unethical to make that kind of decision through AI' (55%). While software can provide insights by analysing various employee data, such as performance metrics, attendance records, and skillsets, it lacks human judgement. Therefore it is essential to strike a balance between both. HR professionals are more likely to consider personal circumstances or extenuating factors that may affect the reasons to keep an employee or let them go. An AI-driven process may overlook reasonings and intensify feelings of discomfort among workers. But not all employees surveyed were as anxious about using such technology. Capterra asked the employees who feel comfortable with AI determining lay-offs for the reasons why. The most popular answer was that AI could ‘avoid decisions based on a manager's personal issues with an employee’ (44%). Other reasons some employees felt comfortable were:AI is unbiased (39%)AI can rely on real data about performance to make a decision (36%)AI can generate more accurate decisions (30%)Undoubtedly, people can be susceptible to biases and emotions. AI tools can minimise the potential for favouritism or unfair treatment, which may otherwise occur from someone’s personal grievances. However, SMEs should combine objective data analysis with human expertise and emotional intelligence. This is vital for a fair and ethical approach to lay-off decisions. Tips for HR: To mitigate concerns that employees may have about employers using AI tools to make sensitive decisions that could impact their role, companies should prioritise transparency and implement ethical AI practices. To avoid controversy, keep employees updated on the use of AI tools with effective communication on how the technology works and why it is being used. How the use of AI in HR decision-making may affect employees Most survey-takers (77%) said their company is not currently using AI technology to help determine job lay-offs. However, 14% of survey respondents were unsure, perhaps showing more communication is needed on this topic at their workplace. Only 9% of respondents said their company uses AI tools to aid with lay-offs. One of the downsides of using AI tools to make crucial HR decisions is the impact it could have on some employees’ well-being, especially those concerned about job security. Most respondents (71%) said if companies did use AI to lay-off employees, it could lead to heightened stress levels among staff. Only 18% didn’t think it would raise their stress levels. The use of AI in this type of decision-making could also lead to employees worrying over their work habits and perhaps questioning how well they are performing. Capterra found that 39% of employees said they would change their work habits, knowing that lay-offs would be more data-driven and AI-based. But the habits that respondents said they would work on the most can be interpreted as positive changes. The habits are as follows: Focusing on goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) (44%)Trying to develop new skills (34%)Getting involved in new projects (19%)Tips for HR: HR needs to emphasise the human element involved in decision-making processes and ensure AI tools are seen as supportive rather than taking over. An internal company intranet or employee portal can be a central hub for critical information and resources. HR departments can share updates, policies, and support materials for job promotions, new roles or lay-offs.Employees think training is the most trustworthy use of AI in HR Employees surveyed by Capterra have different levels of trust and comfort with AI being used for certain HR processes, such as recruitment and selection, employee development and training, and dismissals. So how trustworthy do workers think tools are when used in these areas of HR? According to survey results, employees mainly trust AI tools for training purposes (67%).Many employees may appreciate continuous learning opportunities, and training tools can personalise the experience with content relevant to their roles and career goals. AI-powered adaptive learning platforms use real-time feedback to adjust the difficulty and pace of training modules based on the learner's progress. This personalised experience can help increase employee engagement and motivation. Trust levels in AI are lowest in its use for lay-offs (27%), possibly because of a fear of bias or perceived inaccuracy. Workers may need clarification on the reliability of AI in aiding such critical judgements. But again, it's vital to reiterate that redundancies are not solely based on AI data. Employees must understand that human oversight is crucial during a redundancy process. Tips for HR: HR representatives can involve employees in sensitive decision-making processes by allowing them to provide feedback via surveys or share their perspectives on things such as redundancy criteria. This participatory approach can make workers feel heard and valued, which increases trust in the decision-making process.The future of AI in HR decision-makingIt seems that SME employees see a future for the use of AI in HR whether they are onboard with the idea or not, as half of survey-takers (50%) agreed with the statement: 'In the near future, technology such as AI will be the main driver in making critical business decisions such as lay-offs'. Capterra’s survey has found that trust levels vary when using AI in HR, especially when making decisions on sensitive subjects. Unsurprisingly, many workers want humans involved in critical HR decisions that could directly impact their employment. Whilst technology and AI adoption seem inevitable, where do companies start?Consider the following tips to prepare for the implementation of AI in HR:1. Identify HR pain points: Focus on the specific HR tasks or processes that can benefit the most from automation. This could include candidate screening, employee onboarding or performance management.2. Start small and scale gradually: AI implementation can be costly, so begin with pilot projects to test AI solutions and their impact. Gradually expand the use of AI in HR as you become more confident and have seen results with the technology.3. Choose the right AI solution: Select tools and platforms that align with your HR department's objectives. Consider factors like ease of integration, user-friendliness and pricing.4. Ensure data quality and security: Ensure your HR data is clean and properly stored. Prioritise data security and compliance with relevant data protection regulations to maintain employee trust.5. Train HR staff: Provide adequate training for HR staff to help them understand and leverage AI tools effectively. Ensure they are comfortable with the technology and use it to enhance their processes.6. Promote transparency: Be clear with employees about the use of AI in HR processes. Explain how AI-driven decisions are made, and address any concerns about potential biases or fairness issues. While AI can automate many HR tasks, it's important to remember the necessity of the human touch. HR professionals must keep opportunities available for direct communication with employees, especially for more sensitive or complex matters. HR representatives can combine their soft skills with AI data analysis and remain transparent with employees about using AI for critical HR decision-making processes.Looking for human resources software? Check out our catalogue\! ## Disclaimer > MethodologyTo collect the data for this study, Capterra conducted a survey from May to June 2023. To do this, a sample of 1,376 people was selected. The sample of participants is representative of the population of Australia. The criteria for selecting participants are as follows:Between 18 and 65 years oldEmployed part- or full-time in a junior, intermediate, manager, or executive positionWork in a small to midsize enterprise (SME) with anywhere between 2-250 employeesHave been working in the same company for at least one yearSurvey respondents were given the following definition of Artificial Intelligence:‘“Artificial intelligence” is a term that refers to any type of computer software that engages in human-like activities —including learning, planning, and problem-solving. For many years, AI has been helping HR departments boost productivity by efficiently finding skilled candidates by processing resumes, conducting interviews, and evaluating candidates. AI can also be used to help companies decide who to lay off based on data analytics.’ ## About the author ### Laura Burgess Laura is a Content Analyst at Capterra, researching and giving insight on tech trends to help SMEs. 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