Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping modern workplaces, and the shift presents an opportunity for HR professionals to lead the way in digital transformation and capability uplift.
Within HR, AI’s application has mostly focused on improving operational and administrative tasks, such as recruitment screening, workforce analytics and communications. While this focus helps to remove administrative burden in our roles and our teams, its potential extends much further. With the right knowledge and tools, HR can use AI to support strategic workforce planning, improve employee experience, and enable more responsive service delivery.
HR has two critical roles to play in this transformation. First, HR professionals must build their understanding of the basics of AI, including what it is, how it works, and how it can be applied responsibly. Second, we must ensure we are preparing our agencies to use AI effectively and ethically. Resources like the Australian HR Institute’s report The State of AI in Australian Human Resources and GovAI platform offer accessible ways to learn, experiment and collaborate.
To support this uplift, HR teams must focus on 3 key areas:
- Capability building: Encourage people to engage with platforms like GovAI and other APS-endorsed training. The most valuable skill isn’t just using AI – it’s knowing what to use it for.
- Culture and trust: Equip leaders to guide their teams through change and encourage a mindset of experimentation. If AI feels like more work, we’re doing it wrong. It should simplify, not complicate.
- Ethical implementation: Align AI use with Australia’s AI Ethics principles to ensure inclusive, secure and fair outcomes. The public expects government to be a champion of safe and responsible AI adoption.
Beyond streamlining our own operations, HR must actively support agencies to embed AI into core workforce practices. This includes embedding the use of AI into learning and development strategies, using workforce planning to anticipate future capability needs, and designing recruitment processes that secure the capabilities required for impactful AI adoption.
We also need to prepare our leaders. Developing leadership capability to understand, guide and govern the use of AI is essential. Leaders must be equipped not only to use AI tools, but to lead teams through change, manage ethical risks, and foster trust in AI-enabled processes and environments.
HR professionals are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between AI capability and business readiness. While automating tasks can be a helpful starting point, real value lies in how we enable others. By modelling thoughtful use and championing responsible adoption, we should be identifying ways to help embed AI as a strategic enabler, not just a productivity tool.
Turning insight into action
- Explore GovAI and APS Academy resources.
- Identify one HR process to trial using AI support.
- Start conversations about digital capability in your team.
- Review what is happening in your agency to see where HR is, or could be, supporting more.
AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a mindset shift. By leading with intention and purpose, HR can help shape a future-ready APS that delivers more by doing less.