Most firms now use AI in HR processes, with human sign-off required 85% of the time: Survey
Large organisations are more likely than SMEs to use AI in HR functions, but on the whole employers still value human judgment, says the Singapore National Employers Federation.
Most firms in Singapore now employ artificial intelligence (AI) for human resources (HR) processes, but human oversight is still required for the majority of decisions, according to a Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) survey released on October 30. The survey, which included 1,000 employers from June to July, found that 85% of AI use cases in HR required human sign-off after AI provided input.
Only 15% of cases saw AI make decisions without human intervention. Among the remaining cases, 73% were routine or high-volume administrative tasks such as resume screening and skills assessments. Employers typically designate someone, like the head of HR or hiring manager, to intervene if needed and reverse AI decisions. Large organizations are more likely to use AI in HR, with 81% of firms with over 200 employees doing so compared to 65% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with 200 or fewer employees.
SNEF president Kuah Boon Wee emphasized that the level of oversight should match the stakes, suggesting lighter monitoring for routine tasks and closer watching for decisions affecting employees' livelihoods. SNEF's survey also revealed that AI adoption varies across an employee's lifecycle, with heavier use in early stages for recruitment and employee development, and lower reliance towards the end when dealing with separation and exit matters.
Employers are generally more likely to use AI in high-volume processes where it can complement professional judgment rather than replace it. Concerns about potential bias in AI hiring tools, such as those from US companies Workday and Eightfold AI, prompted SNEF to highlight that 84% of employers were familiar with relevant employment law frameworks and were taking steps to mitigate bias, including monitoring outcomes and providing feedback to vendors.
However, respondents cited over-reliance on AI as a top concern, as it could erode HR capabilities over time. SNEF has developed a pre-scoped solution to support firms in adopting AI responsibly, covering strategic HR alignment, AI automation, workforce transformation, and skills analytics.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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