As an HR professional, I have felt the need, more often an urgency, to adopt the latest technologies, especially as AI promises to revolutionize talent management. In the process, I have often felt frustrated by AI's unpredictability, wondering why it is not delivering as expected. When I did more research, I realized there are ways in which we can train and mature with the model, and as I see my brother and friends raising their children, I cannot help but compare the two - like raising a child, AI needs guidance, and patience to fully mature.
A child enters the world as a blank slate, relying on nurturing and stories to build their understanding. We cherish their wonder over tales of the tooth fairy or Santa yet instinctively protect them, sensing when they need comfort. Through our voices, expressions, and guidance, they learn context and shape their perspective. Gradually, with diverse experiences and feedback, they connect ideas and refine their view of the world. This patient, gradual process helps them become independent thinkers, thriving with occasional guidance and eventually even supporting us. Yet, from my experience, parents continue to nurture their children, even when they feel ready to stand on their own.
If we CTRL+F and replace "Child" with "GenAI" and "Parent" with "HR Leaders," the analogy and role of HR leaders become clear.
How GenAI Learns Like a Child
- Fostering Curiosity: AI, like a child, does not come preloaded with all the answers and its understanding is built day by day, with data and insights that shape their worldview. Children thrive on healthy food and AI thrives on clean, rich data. Be mindful of what data you feed into it.
- Detecting Signals: Just as a parent learns to distinguish between a child’s playful stories and genuine concerns, we must discern AI’s genuine insights from “hallucinations.” AI models need correction when they veer off course. Be ready to refine based on evolving insights from employee data.
- Adapting to Feedback: AI evolves through consistent feedback, helping it align closer with our expectations over time. Diverse datasets lead to better, more inclusive talent decisions. Regularly check and audit your AI models to ensure they’re not producing biased outcomes.
As much as we want instant results, we need to give AI the space to grow. With patience, thoughtful guidance, and a commitment to see it through, GenAI will mature into an invaluable tool to transform how you take talent decisions. For now, nurturing AI is a journey worth taking—for ourselves and our organizations.
Here’s to all the HR leaders ready to cultivate AI in creating smarter, more humane workplaces, one prompt at a time.