A new world of work
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t coming — it’s already here. From chatbots to screening tools, it’s transforming how we live, work, and lead.
But while other industries are racing ahead, many HR professionals are still watching cautiously from the sidelines. That hesitation is understandable. The headlines can be alarming — “95% of AI projects fail,” “robots replacing jobs,” “ethical risks of AI.”
Look a little closer, though, and a different story emerges. The organisations seeing the biggest benefits from AI are not those with the flashiest tools — they’re the ones where HR has led the way. Because when it comes to AI, the technology isn’t the problem. The problem is people not being supported to understand how to use it. And that’s exactly where HR comes in.
AI belongs in HR’s wheelhouse
As HR consultant and transformation leader Stephanie Prenderville notes, “We’re already in the new world of work — we’re just figuring out what that means.”
For years, HR has driven change through people, culture, and leadership. AI is simply the next phase of that journey. The role of HR now is to reimagine work — to help employees see how AI can take the drudgery out of their day and free them up to focus on meaningful, value-adding work.
It’s also HR’s job to build the trust and governance that make AI adoption possible. That means clear communication, strong leadership, and a shared vision of how technology and people can work together.
From fear to fluency: building AI literacy
For many HR professionals, the biggest barrier to AI adoption is confidence. As Insight HR’s Mary Cullen admits, “I make no secret of the fact that I’m a bit of a technophobe.” But with curiosity and experimentation — and the right guidance — that fear turns into fluency.
Stephanie’s advice is simple: start small. Open a tool like ChatGPT or Perplexity. Play. Learn how it thinks. But most importantly, learn how to prompt it effectively. AI only works when the human behind it knows what they’re asking for.
To guide that development, she has identified the Seven Gas Ceeds — the core human skills HR leaders need to thrive in an AI-enabled world:
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Growth mindset: Encourage adaptability and AI curiosity.
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Autonomy: Empower employees to explore AI without fear.
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Strategic thinking: Help teams connect AI use to real business impact.
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Creativity: Unlock new ways of working with AI.
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Entrepreneurship: Foster innovation and problem-solving.
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Emotional intelligence and empathy: Equip teams to manage AI-driven change.
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Data & AI literacy: Teach employees to interpret AI-generated insights.
Together with what she calls “Goldilocks governance” — not too strict, not too loose — these skills empower HR teams to adopt AI safely and sustainably.
The human in the loop
The promise of AI is enormous — but so are the risks. As Mary cautions, “If you don’t know what you don’t know, you can get into trouble fast.”
Take something as simple as writing a policy. AI can draft it in seconds — but unless you’ve told it to align with Irish employment law and the relevant codes of practice, you may end up with a perfectly polished document that wouldn’t stand up in court.
AI can accelerate HR work, but it cannot replace the expertise that ensures it’s accurate, ethical, and compliant.
That’s why the most effective teams use AI as a collaborator, not a consultant. They keep the human in the loop — verifying, interpreting, and contextualising what AI produces. As Stephanie reminds us, “Technology needs trust. People need trust in technology. That comes from leadership.”
Embrace the change — or be left behind
Mary reflects on the pace of progress:
“I started work when memos came by fax. Now I’m watching AI draft policies and analyse workflows. Either you embrace it, or you don’t — but remember where the fax machine is now.”
AI is simply the next leap in that long journey of workplace evolution. It won’t replace HR — but HR professionals who understand and lead with AI will replace those who don’t.
The future of HR isn’t human or artificial. It’s both, together.
Listen to the full discussion…
… with Mary, Stephanie and host Dave Corkery on The HR Room podcast here.
Need support with your HR function?
👉 Get in touch with our team today at insighthr.ie/contact or call us on 056 770 1060 to start your AI journey with confidence.
