AI is already here. HR now carries the people risk - and the opportunity
AI isn't waiting for policy. It's being used inside your business today - often without managers knowing. That's the blunt reality Sarah Harris, founder of Cheltenham-based HR People Support, is seeing across Gloucestershire.
Her team of eight CIPD-qualified HR professionals is helping HR leaders press pause, set a clear stance, and implement the people side of AI safely - without losing pace. "It's about setting the tone," says Sarah. "Be clear on what fits your values and culture before someone else makes that decision for you."
Why HR People Support is acting now
The firm has kept a quiet, practical watch on AI - just as it did with GDPR and social media. Over the last year, it looked at how AI might improve internal processes, but also what it means for people, culture and risk.
Clients are at very different stages. Some are already testing tools. Others don't know what's in use. Many hoped it might blow over. It won't. Employees are using AI, and the people implications are too big to ignore.
What the service actually covers
The core promise hasn't changed: HR peace of mind. The context has. HR People Support is adding AI expertise across people, culture, processes and compliance - so clients stay informed and human-first.
- Define a clear stance on AI that fits your values and risk appetite.
- Review or introduce policies that reflect that stance.
- Equip line managers and teams with training and change support.
- Think through risks and opportunities before rollout - not after.
What clients want AI to fix
- Process efficiency: faster responses, less admin, fewer repetitive tasks - with proper oversight.
- Revenue: enhance services, free capacity, deliver new value without bloating headcount.
- Data: make better use of existing information to guide decisions.
There's also quiet pressure to "do something with AI" without a business case. HR People Support helps leaders slow down, ask better questions, and act with intent.
What's working: real conversations and board-level decisions
Sarah's team is working with boards to tighten data use, set boundaries, and decide the role AI should play in their business. Clarity is the outcome: how to use AI, how to protect people and data, and how it all ties back to values.
One standout result: open roundtables. The biggest breakthroughs are peers sharing what worked, what didn't, and which tools are credible. Honest examples beat presentations. That mix of lived experience and expert guidance is moving organisations forward.
Will AI dehumanise work?
"Not if it's managed properly," says Sarah. Some tasks will disappear. New roles will appear - think AI officers. But tools aren't people. They don't have judgement, emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning or context.
Human input becomes more valuable, not less. People will guide, challenge and give meaning to what AI delivers.
Will AI replace HR?
AI will replace repetitive tasks. It won't replace the core of HR - difficult conversations, culture-building, context, and empathy. That's where HR earns its keep.
Use AI as a tool to support decisions and consistency. Keep humans in the loop for nuance and risk. Especially when things get complex - because we're dealing with people.
Practical first steps for HR leaders
- Audit current use: run a short survey, check access logs, map "shadow AI" in teams.
- Set principles: transparency, accountability, data minimisation, human oversight.
- Update policies: acceptable use, data sharing, tool approval, vendor checks, incident handling.
- Train managers and teams: safe use, prompt quality, output review, bias awareness, confidentiality.
- Protect data: keep PII out of public tools, run DPIAs, review retention, and test outputs for errors.
- Pilot and measure: start small, define success metrics, add QA checks, and review quarterly.
Helpful resources
- ICO guidance on AI and data protection
- AI courses by job role (useful for HR, L&D, IT and operations)
Work with HR People Support
If you want to set a clear, human-first approach to AI - and keep your organisation safe while you move - speak to the team at HR People Support in Cheltenham.
hrpeoplesupport.co.uk/ai-and-hr-the-new-reality
Pause. Think it through. Set your stance. Then roll out with confidence.
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