Redesigning Work for the AI Era

A new report by Mercer shows that 96% of companies are planning some form of HR functional redesign this year. The report adds that employee experience remains a top focus for HR leaders. This has led to a trend of redesigning HR with a focus on digital transformation and consequent training, reflecting a commitment to employee growth.

Up to 58% of executives worry that their organizations are not doing enough to inspire employees to embrace new technologies, while two-thirds (67%) of HR leaders fear that these technologies are being implemented without the proper transformation of work. While AI presents opportunities to enhance productivity, factors such as employee experience and workforce engagement remain essential for business performance, says Juanvi Martínez, Career Business Leader, Mercer. 

Meanwhile, 28% of HR leaders express confidence in achieving effective human-machine collaboration, reports Mercer. Yet, companies experiencing high growth have already implemented skill-based talent models to address these challenges.

Siemens, for example, leverages AI for operational efficiency while simultaneously training employees in digital skills, ensuring seamless workforce adaptation, writes Matias Fernandez, Chairman and CEO, Acute Talent, on MBN.  Similarly, Goldman Sachs integrates AI into trading while maintaining human expertise to interpret complex market trends, adds Fernández. 

Google Cloud Mexico is working to train 1 million Mexicans in cloud technologies through an extensive range of training and skills development programs that include free courses on our Google Cloud Skills Boost platform, facilitating access to knowledge and learning new skills to anyone in the country who has an internet connection, regardless of their level of experience, says Julio Velázquez, Managing Director, Google Cloud Mexico, to MBN. 

Furthermore, 40% of executives predict AI will drive productivity gains of more than 30%, yet, 47% believe their current talent models can meet this year's workforce demands. “AI alone is not the solution. Leading companies are implementing intentional, human-centered work designs to address productivity barriers and enhance collaboration between employees and machines,” says Kate Bravery, Global Talent Advisory Leader, Mercer. 

Recently, Mexican retailer Coppel integrated Kahoot! into its training strategy, reports MBN. The  company uses Kahoot! Tournaments to engage over 20,000 salespeople across 1,600 stores in the country, reinforcing knowledge and building company culture. 

In Mexico 54% of survey participants identified redesigning work to integrate AI and automation as a top priority. Meanwhile, 30% of respondents ranked investing in talent assessment and employee skills development as the least prioritized area.

MBN reports that by 2030, over 20% of jobs are expected to transform due to shifts in the labor market. As demand for new skills grows, job matching faces an increasing number of challenges. Issues such as misaligned skill frameworks, fragmented labor market data, data privacy concerns, and resistance to emerging technology have made effective job placement more complex.

“Many of the positions and skills in demand today did not exist 10 or 15 years ago, and AI is further accelerating this transformation”, says Mariana Osuna, La Pieza, Interim CEO, to MBN. AI is a powerful tool that enhances individuals’ capabilities, particularly in industries like HR, where recruiters often review hundreds of résumés daily, adds Osuna. At a certain point, cognitive overload sets in, making it difficult to process information effectively, so AI plays a crucial role in optimizing time and efficiency in this process.