IBM’s AI Workforce Shift: How HR and L&D Leaders Are Redefining Their Roles for the Future of Work

IBM uses AI to handle 94% of routine HR tasks, boosting productivity by $3.5B. HR roles now focus on strategic collaboration with AI to enhance employee growth and retention.

Categorized in: AI News Human Resources
Published on: May 28, 2025
IBM’s AI Workforce Shift: How HR and L&D Leaders Are Redefining Their Roles for the Future of Work

IBM’s AI Shift: Redefining HR and L&D Roles

IBM has replaced hundreds of employees with AI, with 94% of routine human resources tasks now managed by artificial intelligence. Despite this, IBM’s CEO Arvin Krishna emphasizes that AI has fueled growth rather than cuts. He points out that AI frees up investments for other areas. CTO Ji-eun Lee adds that AI contributed to over $3.5 billion in productivity gains across 70 business units in the past two years.

For HR and learning and development (L&D) professionals, this marks more than just workforce reduction—it demands a fresh look at roles and responsibilities. The integration of AI calls for a new leadership approach in HR, focusing on collaboration with technology rather than competition.

Rethinking HR’s Purpose and Structure

Nickle Lamoureux, IBM’s Chief Human Resources Officer, shares how AI agents now handle tasks like writing performance reviews, crafting development plans, and coaching leaders on performance decisions. Industry analyst Josh Bersin predicts a 20-30% reduction in HR headcount due to AI covering functions such as learning, development, and training.

Jamie Aitken, VP of HR Transformation at Betterworks, urges HR leaders to rethink their role. Instead of being bogged down by administrative tasks, HR should become a strategic, data-driven contributor to business success. A structured, process-oriented model built on AI is key.

HR has a unique position to understand what employees need to grow, stay, and succeed. This systemic approach improves retention, boosts performance, and builds a culture ready to adapt and innovate.

Working Alongside AI in HR

Rasmus Holst, CEO of Danish L&D software company Zensai, points out that some tasks are easily automated by AI. Yet, managing AI agents—setting them up, assigning tasks, and monitoring their output—remains a human job for the foreseeable future.

Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, highlights AI’s strength in handling deep research and analysis. On the Masters of Scale podcast, he explains that AI models process vast, up-to-date information from the internet, delivering detailed answers after several minutes of “thinking.”

Levie stresses that AI is meant to augment human skills, not replace them. The future belongs to those who can work effectively with AI agents across all organizational areas.

Human Success: The Core Focus for AI in HR

Holst notes that with AI handling routine work, the quality of human decisions becomes even more critical. Recruitment and retention strategies must align with the division of tasks between humans and AI.

Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer at Zensai, introduces the concept of Human Success—a growing focus among HR professionals. It’s about using data to support individuals’ growth, satisfaction, and fulfillment every day. Empowering employees in this way strengthens the entire organization.

According to Daniels, fostering human success should be the main goal for AI in HR.

HR Leadership in the Age of AI

Integrating AI into HR is a collaborative effort. Real-time listening, acting on employee feedback, and collecting meaningful data on workplace culture are crucial for engagement and maintaining strategic influence.

The automation of basic HR functions signals a major shift in work. Jamie Aitken encourages HR leaders to see this as a call to rethink their teams’ purpose and structure. In this new landscape, collaboration with AI is key, and HR roles will continue to evolve.

To stay ahead, HR professionals should consider expanding their AI skills and knowledge. Resources like Complete AI Training’s courses for HR professionals offer practical ways to build expertise in AI tools relevant to HR and L&D.