Midsummer, FullStack HR Referrals and AI Surveys

Or simply a classic smorgasbord.

Hello, FullStack HR readers!

On the eve of Midsummer, we're serving up a post that is anything but typical. A platter brimming with fresh insights and some exciting FullStack HR news, consider this our digital Midsummer feast that captures the joy and anticipation of this cherished celebration.
(Ok, I turned to ChatGPT for this intro and for a red thread. Not sure this will be…great.)

First up on our smorgasbord, we've got something that's been bubbling in the Substack community for a while - referrals! I’m thrilled to introduce the FullStack HR Referral Program, a brand-new initiative that blends the strength of our community with the thrill of rewarding engagement.

Imagine a system where each new subscriber that comes from you, a current reader, is recognized and rewarded. The FullStack HR Referral Program is precisely that. It's my way of saying "Tack så mycket" (thanks so much) for helping grow this thriving community. By recommending individuals who you believe would benefit from FullStack HR, you are helping to grow this supportive network and unlocking exclusive rewards for yourself. It's a win-win!

How does it work? Invite your friends, colleagues, and anyone you feel would appreciate the content, to join FullStack HR. For every successful referral, you'll earn points which can be exchanged for FullStack HR merchandise and even consultancy sessions on AI! This way, we all grow together, building a more dynamic, collaborative, and informative community.

How to participate

1. Share FullStack HR. You'll get credit for new subscribers using the referral link below or the “Share” button on any post.
(The most popular one to share is “In HR? Use these prompts with ChatGPT.”)
Simply send the link in a text, or email, or share it on social media with friends.

2. Earn benefits. You'll receive special benefits when more friends use your referral link to subscribe.

• Get FullStack HR Sticker for 10 referrals

• Get FullStack HR - t-shirt for 50 referrals

• Get 30 min Hangout for 100 referrals

And yes, of course, there’s a leaderboard as well.

To learn more, check out Substack’s FAQ.

‘Reports, reports, reports.

Now, as we sit by the digital maypole, let's delve into the second part of our Midsummer feast: a collection of intriguing reports on the use of AI in the workplace.

There’s been a bunch of reports/studies dropped over just the last week, and they shed light on how we, as a community, think about the future of AI and HR.

Senior HR staff believe function needs three years to prepare for AI, study finds

This is a study from Yoho, a tale of hope and hesitation in HR's AI journey. We've got an almost unanimous agreement on AI's potential to boost productivity, innovation, and decision-making. But there's also a sense of caution. With ethical considerations like fairness, transparency, potential bias, and privacy breaches looming large, the road to AI implementation seems more like a tightrope.

Yet, as Dr. Saad Attieh aptly puts it, we must adapt or risk being left behind. Though seemingly daunting, AI promises to free us from mundane tasks and focus more on building meaningful relationships.

So here's the bottom line: yes, the flame of AI is flickering with uncertainty, but it's also glowing with potential. Let's use these findings not as a cautionary tale, but as a beacon guiding our conversation, education, and thoughtful implementation of AI in HR.

ChatGPT Saves 70 Minutes a Day for HR Professionals: Study

This study underscores an intriguing dynamic - the marriage of AI and HR, a union that both optimizes efficiency and raises questions about the future of human work. ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI chatbot, is making waves, demonstrating tangible benefits, and yes, saving HR professionals an average of 70 minutes each week. That's something worth celebrating, a step towards streamlining processes and making work more efficient.

But the study also presents an undercurrent of unease. About 44% of small business owners foresee hiring fewer people due to AI's capabilities. It's a concern we can't sweep under the rug. As AI-powered solutions automate more HR tasks, we need to think about what this means for job security.

So, what's the takeaway here? Well, it's about balance. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are undeniably transforming our business practices. But we also need to consider the human aspect of our workplaces, carefully incorporating AI in a way that enhances rather than threatens our roles. After all, it's not about replacing people, but rather freeing them to do more meaningful work. The road ahead will require agility and prudence, but it's a journey worth embarking on.

Conversation Starters: 20% of Professionals think ChatGPT Should be Banned in the Workplace

Adopting large language models like ChatGPT in the professional realm has stirred a lively debate. The Glassdoor survey offers some fascinating insights: a majority opposes a ban or restriction on AI tools, yet significant minority advocates for some access restriction, suggesting a nuanced view of AI in the workplace. Interestingly, the age and industry of the professionals contribute to this discrepancy, hinting at a generational and sector-based divide in AI acceptance.

While industries like advertising, marketing, and consulting welcome the use of AI, we see more skepticism within the law, where almost a third of professionals would support an AI access halt. This divergence suggests that the potential of AI isn't universally acknowledged or even trusted, and it could stem from the unique demands and practices of each field.

For HR, generative AI has opened a Pandora’s box of questions around talent acquisition, ethics, and diversity. This necessitates the development of robust guidelines to prevent setbacks like bias and discrimination. As mentioned here several times before, with large tech players like Microsoft, IBM, and Google introducing AI tools for HR, it's clear that AI's influence in this space is growing, but not without cautionary flags.

Ultimately, the conversation around AI at work should be ongoing, guided by the principles of fairness, transparency, and respect for civil rights. As we forge ahead, we must do so responsibly, considering the human factor in our increasingly automated workplaces.


That’s it for today! Now let’s head out and dance around the midsummer pole!