LONDON, January 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The way businesses are planning their workforce is changing, and being impacted by the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation.  Fifteen per cent of HR leaders said their plans were being affected right now, and a further 40 per cent believe this will happen within the next two to five years. This is according to the sixth annual Harvey Nash Human Resources Survey, representing the views of 1,008 HR leaders from over forty countries.

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Technology as a whole is revolutionising how today's HR departments are operating, with 60 per cent of respondents saying the importance of Technology Enabled HR has increased within the past year.  Over half of respondents understood that innovation for their organisation was 'very important', and the vast majority (86 per cent) believe that HR has its own role in promoting and supporting innovation.

The current economic uncertainty is reflected in the decreased focus on training and recruitment as priorities. This year training and education was considered a priority by four percent fewer HR leaders than last year, with recruitment the drop was even greater at eight percent. Succession was also less of a priority, which may be explained by those in senior positions not being quite so keen to move on.

Lisa Wormald, director, Harvey Nash Group said: "It probably comes as no surprise that technology is seeping into the Human Resources department, but what is particularly striking is quite how many HR leaders believe that AI and automation are affecting their plans already.  The good news is that HR is not only embracing this innovation, but is a key part of it."

For more information about the survey including and to request a full copy of the results, please visit http://www.harveynash.com/hrsurvey or email michelle.smith@harveynash.com .

Read full press release here

Media Relations contacts:
Michelle Smith
Marketing and Digital, Harvey Nash plc
michelle.smith@harveynash.com
+44 (0)20 7333 0033

SOURCE Harvey Nash Plc