AI in HR: Evidenced-Based Practices to Accelerate Advanced Adoption

Artificial intelligence has the potential to deliver real business value in human resources, but only when embraced responsibly and holistically. A new global survey finds that as HR teams rapidly adopt AI tools, many lack a clear path from isolated pilots or single uses to mature integration, limiting their ability to unlock the full benefits. 

To understand what separates HR functions that are reaping the rewards of mature AI adoption from those taking a more tentative approach, the American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC) surveyed 600 HR leaders across multiple countries and industries in late 2024. The results point to practical steps HR leaders can take to accelerate AI adoption and avoid common pitfalls. 

“What we found is that the more AI-mature HR functions have undertaken specific initiatives to prepare their data and their people for AI,” says Elissa Tucker, APQC’s principal research lead for human capital management. “In addition, by adopting AI across multiple HR process areas, they are contributing more value to the business, and that value seems to be increasing over time.”

This article provides an overview of the research results. A white paper detailing the complete findings is available to APQC members.