The fact that we cannot achieve success in this modern world without making use of vital knowledge that Artificial Intelligence offers is the postulation of Mr. David Temitope Adeoye, as he offered valuable insights into the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing organizational administration and human resources management.
Mr. Adeoye, the Chief Executive Officer and Coordinating Officer, Boaz Classics, Lagos, made this assertion as a Guest Speaker, at the Town and Gown Interaction seminar of the Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management programme, under the Department of Business Management, Covenant University.
He began by pointing out the contemporary issues facing HR management in the 21st century, the daunting challenges facing modern HR professionals today, and the solutions AI can provide. Defining Human Resource Management (HRM), and outlining its objectives within organizations, he discussed the ethical standards upheld by HR practitioners.
Mr. Adeoye noted, that the effectiveness of an organization is largely dependent on the quality of its employees, as organizational success hinges on recruiting individuals with the necessary skills to meet strategic goals. AI, he said, is becoming increasingly integral to HRM, which involves many routine and time-consuming tasks, often influenced by human perception and biases, making it an ideal area for AI application.
Mr. Adeoye referred to the British Institute of Personnel Management's definition of personnel management, “Personnel Management is that part of management which is concerned with people at work and with their relationship within an organization.” He also cited the American Management Association, stating, “Human Resource Management involves planning, organizing, and controlling various operative functions to procure, develop, maintain, and utilize a workforce so that the company’s objectives are attained efficiently and economically.”
Using the definitions above as a template, he outlined the objectives of employee management, focusing on the optimal use of human resources, creating conditions for effective employee contribution, and fostering mutual respect and trust between management and workers. HRM’s role in organizational effectiveness was highlighted, with HRM being instrumental in helping organizations achieve their primary objectives.
Mr. Adeoye distinguished between personnel management and human resources management, discussing various aspects such as perspectives, control, perception, roles, employment contracts, and conflict resolution. He described the HRM model, which includes HRM functions, policies, and review and evaluation processes, in the context of organizational strategies and culture.
The seminar covered key HR activities like HR planning, policy formulation, salary and benefit administration, recruitment, performance management, training and staff development, communications, counseling, and industrial relations.
Mr. Adeoye explained the different levels of HRM and their functions, which include strategic, tactical, and operational, and discussed the roles of various personnel in completing HR tasks; such as line managers, HR managers, shared service centers, outsourcing firms, and technology interfaces. He also differentiated between line and staff authority, highlighting the core HR functions: strategic partner, administrative expert, employee champion, and change agent.
Addressing AI in HR, Mr. Adeoye presented AI-driven solutions to HR challenges such as recruiting the best candidates, managing remote and contingent workforces, and improving classroom training methods. He also touched on employee engagement and retention, performance evaluation, workforce wellness, and optimizing HR budgets.
Furthermore, He acknowledged the threats associated with AI in HRM, including data privacy and security, compliance with labor laws, AI bias, and cultural adaptation to AI integration as he also offered tips for successful AI integration, such as empowering managers, guarding against bias, building transparency, and starting the digital transformation process early.
In conclusion, Mr. Adeoye emphasized that AI in HR poses exciting yet complex challenges for the modern workplace. He stressed the importance of addressing privacy, compliance, bias, and cultural adjustments while creating efficient and empathetic HR systems.
The seminar ended with an interactive question-and-answer session.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Head of the Department, of Business Management, Dr. Mercy Ogbari, expressed gratitude to the Guest Speaker, for showing up for the event and appreciated the University Management for the establishment of the Town and Gown platform which she said has been a source of foundational empowerment for students for the world of work.
She encouraged the students to pay attention, to maximize the information they would be given during the presentation to prepare themselves for a bright future in their careers.
Also at the event were other senior members of the Faculty and Staff of the Department.