In an era when technology is advancing at a breakneck speed, AI’s potential to revolutionise HR and people analytics is undeniable. Yet, the challenge for HR leaders lies in how they can effectively harness these innovations to drive real value for their organisations. How can they keep pace with the rapid advancements and ensure that AI delivers tangible benefits?  

To discuss this ever-important topic, on this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, host David Green sits down with Armand Sohet, Chief of Sustainability, HR, and Communication at AkzoNobel. Armand is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with an impressive background at GE, THALES, and Novartis, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective on AI’s impact on HR. 

This episode is packed with insights and strategies for HR leaders aiming to stay ahead of the technological curve and drive meaningful change in their organizations. Tune in below, or keep reading for our top takeaways!

1. The Evolution of HR Technology: From Personal Computers to AI

Reflecting on his career, Armand highlighted five major technological shifts that have impacted the HR function:

• Personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s revolutionized office work.
• The rise of the internet-connected global workforces.
• Social media transformed how companies manage employer branding and employee communication.
• The introduction of big data allowed HR leaders to aggregate and analyze employee information like never before.
• Finally, AI is now transforming how HR operates by providing deep insights and automating manual tasks.

Big data was particularly pivotal for HR. It allowed business partners to move from labor-intensive data gathering to data analysis, strengthening their role in strategic conversations. As Armand explained, “The shift with big data allowed HR teams to spend more time analyzing and interpreting data rather than preparing it.”

2. How AkzoNobel Uses AI to Drive HR Efficiency

At AkzoNobel, AI is not just theoretical—it’s driving real change in their HR processes. Armand shared a powerful example of how AI enhances HR operations, particularly in writing, summarizing, and analyzing employee feedback.

For instance, AkzoNobel uses an AI-powered opinion survey platform called Eletive. With 35,000 employees worldwide, gathering and analyzing feedback at scale would be impossible without AI. Eletive’s AI capabilities allow HR leaders to quickly sift through thousands of employee comments, providing valuable insights into the workforce’s overall sentiment. This kind of AI-driven analysis enables HR teams to better understand employee needs and make informed decisions.

By streamlining processes like translating and automating routine queries, AI has expanded the talent pool and simplified once-time-consuming tasks. Thanks to AI’s ability to refine and clarify written communications, Armand’s team now recruits non-native English speakers for roles that previously required native fluency.

3. AI’s Role in Workforce Planning and Cost Efficiency

AI is also crucial in workforce planning and cost optimization at AkzoNobel. One standout example Armand shared is the use of data analytics tools to evaluate and adjust the company’s span of control—the number of employees reporting to a single manager. By analyzing this data, AkzoNobel can quickly identify inefficiencies, eliminate unnecessary layers in the organization, and make data-driven decisions that result in substantial cost savings.

This approach to workforce planning—leveraging AI and people analytics—has helped AkzoNobel drive strategic cost-saving initiatives. Armand recalled a previous company where a €80 million savings plan was developed entirely based on data insights, demonstrating the immense potential of AI-driven analytics to positively impact the bottom line.

“With AI-powered analytics, we can immediately understand the impact of organizational changes, like adjusting the span of control, and see the potential cost savings,” Armand noted.

4. The Future of HR: Simplification, Empowerment, and AI Integration

Looking ahead, Armand believes that AI will continue to dominate the conversation around the future of HR. The next decade will see HR professionals using AI to simplify processes, empower employees, and foster continuous learning across generations. However, Armand emphasized the importance of making technology easy to use. Drawing comparisons to the simplicity that led to the success of the Nintendo Wii, he argued that ease of use is critical for driving adoption, regardless of age or technical expertise. This emphasis on simplicity should reassure HR leaders about the future of their profession.

“If you want people to adopt new technology, you need to make it super simple,” said Armand. Simplicity and user-friendliness will be the key drivers in ensuring AI tools are embraced across diverse workforces.

He also shared an insightful prediction: despite AI’s incredible advancements, we will never fully understand its capabilities. However, this uncertainty should not prevent organizations from leveraging AI to enhance productivity and improve HR processes. However, it’s important to note that AI integration in HR is not without its challenges. Privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and the potential for bias in AI algorithms are all factors that HR leaders need to be mindful of when implementing AI solutions.

5. Using People Analytics to Drive Diversity and Inclusion

People analytics is not just about improving efficiency—it’s also a powerful tool for driving diversity and inclusion initiatives. At AkzoNobel, data-driven insights help track gender diversity targets, ensuring that the company is on track to meet its goals of increasing female leadership representation. For example, Armand described using data to identify inclusivity gaps by analyzing employee sentiment through AI-powered surveys. This process helps HR teams address these issues proactively.

He also emphasized the critical role platforms like Crunchr play in helping HR leaders achieve these goals. Crunchr’s data visualization tools allow HR to communicate insights in the language of the boardroom, aligning HR initiatives with broader business strategies.

The Digital HR Leaders Podcast featuring Armand Sohet offers valuable insights for HR leaders looking to stay ahead in people analytics and AI integration. At AkzoNobel, AI is more than just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer that’s improving processes, saving costs, and driving strategic business outcomes.

As HR leaders continue to embrace AI and big data, they will find themselves better equipped to address complex organizational challenges, empower their teams, and deliver lasting value to their companies.

If you’re ready to modernize your HR processes and tap into the power of AI, click here to learn how Crunchr can help.