Within the realm of HR and employment relations, we know that AI is a useful way to save time and stress by automating HR admin.

But while a reported 63% of employees in Australia and New Zealand use generative AI, only 11% of businesses have a formal company policy about AI usage. 80% of employees have also received no training or very limited training to inform their AI usage.

A substantial portion of employers in the region are yet to incorporate AI into the workplace, with privacy violations, loss of intellectual property, and misinformation among their chief concerns.

As using unverified AI tools can lead to potential privacy and data protection issues for employers, it’s recommended you think about specific AI-related policies to make sure you set clear guidelines for its use in your workplace.

So, we’re here to help you understand the risks and rewards of AI and the HR precautions you may need to take before you embrace it with open arms.

Here’s what you need to consider…

AI is a fast-moving technology

AI moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it…

Ferris Bueller references aside, AI has been around longer than you might think. Its rapid rate of advancement means staying up-to-date and compliant is a challenge for businesses.

But it’s a challenge worth rising to. A report compiled through a collaboration between Microsoft and the Tech Council of Australia reveals that generative artificial intelligence could contribute as much as $115 billion a year to the Australian economy by 2030.

So, how do you introduce AI to your workplace compliantly?

Well, making sure you have the right policies and advice is a good place to start. It’s best practice to introduce an “AI in the workplace” policy that covers the ethical and legal implications of using it. The policy should also clearly outline your employees' responsibility to use AI systems in line with your data privacy and security guidelines.

Need support with this? BrightHR’s adviceline is available 24/7 to answer your questions and make sure your policies cover all bases.

The rise of AI could raise salaries and create jobs

It’s a commonly held belief that AI has the potential to replace job roles and functions. But before you start yelling, “The robots are taking over!” new research reveals AI could actually raise salaries. Especially if employees have the right set of skills and are equipped to keep up with the AI revolution.

So, AI could effectively create new jobs. The World Economic Forum estimated the amount of work done by machines will increase by 50% in 2025. But this shift will be accompanied by new labour market demands, resulting in more jobs.

Having a speedy recruitment software tool will be indispensable to helping you keep up with increasing talent demand.

SECURITY! Train your staff on cyber security and GDPR before you adopt AI

A big reason some companies might fear the rise of AI is that inputting company data into AI platforms could breach your company’s privacy policy.

Samsung staff found this out the hard way after unknowingly leaking data when using ChatGPT earlier this year; something that has now been banned by the business.

But there are steps you can take to reduce your risks, like researching which provider you go with thoroughly to make sure they’re legitimate.

It’s also advisable to make sure the AI tool you use is powered by human expertise. Take our own tool BrightLightning for example. All legal information is sourced through experienced employment relations advisers so you know you can trust it.

Finally, make sure you stay informed on the latest advice and cyber training.

BrightLearn, our intuitive Learning Management System, has courses on cyber security and understanding GDPR to help upskill your staff and keep your company safe.

To discover more time-saving tools that help you safeguard your business, book a demo with our team of software experts.