Tshif Dombo, HR Value Engineer at SAP Africa, has noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven human reource (HR) solutions are proving to be effective in helping organisations attract, engage, and retain top talent which essentially transforms businesses globally, including Nigeria.
For instance, AI has the potential to identify emerging job categories, making it essential for HR leaders to stay informed and proactive in integrating AI into their organisational processes to maintain a competitive and strategic advantage.
Speaking at the HCM Reimagined event recently organised by i4nnova Limited and SAP, Dombo highlighted how the accelerating pace and scale of business transformation is placing immense pressure on HR leaders. Among the most pressing challenges, he said, are talent shortages, the need for agile reskilling, employee engagement, and the growing demand for data-driven decision-making.
Experts at the event shared the possibility to integrate AI into HR processes to drive efficiency, agility, and employee empowerment through the visual and practical strategies for navigating the evolving workplace.
Dombo highlighted the potential of AI-driven HR systems to re-engage disconnected employees and foster stronger organizational cohesion. He acknowledged that many organizations remain unaware of which HR processes are currently powered by AI, underscoring a critical gap in adoption.
He further stressed the need for organizations to rethink how HR services are delivered and assessed, advocating for a shift towards digitization to enhance both accessibility and operational efficiency.
“When we ask clients which of their HR processes are currently driven by AI, many admit they are still lagging behind,” he said. “However, integrating human capital management (HCM) with AI can significantly streamline operations and deliver measurable value to the organization.”
Allaying the fears of many who are of the view that AI is here to take their jobs, participants agreed that the fear is genuine but will only manifest when HR professionals and employees fail to improve their skills and become future ready.
Hence, Kelechi Nwosu, Director at i4nnova also emphasized the need for continuous open conversations between employees and their managers, nothing that whilst AI-powered tools help employees to do more with less and improve their overall efficiency, there exist a potential conflict in terms of managing the use of the excess time gained.
Speaking on the topic during the panel session, Paul Bakare, HR Leader at NLNG, noted that “We can’t wish away the potentials of AI, neither can we do without the human angle, rather, we need to strike a balance.Therefore, a balanced application of human angle and AI, helps improve overall outcomes”.
Another panelist, David Oye-Igbemo, HR Director at Nestoil brought the experience of human angle and AI scenario to life using succession planning as an example. He said, “I can ask AI to categories and position employees in my 9 -box grid, but it would be professional laziness for me to take the results and use them without personal engagement”.
Sharing her experience, Nglan Niat, Group HR Director at Dangote, advised HR practitioners to embrace HR automation, noting that the future of HR lies in digital transformation and realignment of HR policies and governance to remain compliant in the face of rapid AI adoption and data proliferation.
Credit: Business Day
