Is It Paradoxical that AI Is Blazing a Trail in HR?

Admittedly, it sounds like an oxymoron to say “artificial intelligence” when talking about human resources.  I see the irony and can understand why some businesses look at AI skeptically. But as a manager of people, I see this integration as a welcome convenience.

Like most managers, there are HR functions that fall under my responsibility because I have direct reports. But my primary focus at work is usually on the projects, campaigns, or deliverables tied to my goals and key performance indicators. It can be frustrating to put that work on hold so that I can redirect my attention to the nuances and hours involved in a candidate search.

Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not implying that finding the right hire for my team isn’t important. In fact, I think it’s vitally crucial to bring on the best possible employee to help my team succeed. All managers with any experience know the challenges involved with identifying and securing a good hire.

However, the process and steps involved can be tedious and time consuming. I’m certain most managers would consider it a nice reprieve to have some support with the heavier lifting, especially if it is done at an expedited pace.

This is where AI can provide a much-needed jumpstart. As an example, look at the AI recruiting assistant, Olivia. Created by SAP partner Paradox, Olivia is a leading AI assistant, transforming the global talent experience by helping enterprise and mid-market companies reduce costs and time when hiring.

Olivia–which Paradox calls “Assistive Intelligence”–can capture and screen candidates, answer candidates’ questions, and even schedule interviews instantly through texting, SMS or other messaging platforms.  Screening and scheduling that might have taken hiring managers or recruiters days or weeks happen in just minutes, significantly shortening the hiring process timeframe. And in a competitive job market, speed is often an advantage for hiring the best talent.

To be clear, Olivia does not complete the hiring process; it is the early-stage touchpoint that hands off the actual interviews to real managers once the process reaches that point. But the time and money it saves in those early portions of the recruiting process are invaluable.

We recently had the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company demonstrate its AI recruiting assistant during Innovate LIVE, our live-streamed event originating from New York. Combining SAP SuccessFactors, our cloud HR management suite, with Olivia AI (available through the SAP App Center), Paradox showcased an innovative solution that makes recruitment intelligent and simple. While AI might initially sound contradictory for HR, the result is a surprisingly more human experience.

You can watch the replay of Paradox’s Olivia demonstration to learn more about attracting, nurturing and retaining the right talent, and visit sap.com to learn more about innovative partnering opportunities with SAP.

Ira Simon (follow me on Twitter – @IraASimon) is global vice president, Partner & SME Marketing, at SAP. Learn more about partnership opportunities at: http://go.sap.com/partner.html.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.