QUEEN’S BUSINESS SCHOOL ORGANISATION, WORK & LEADERSHIP (OWL) SEMINAR SERIES

Wednesday 22^nd October

2pm

“AI, HRM, & Labour Relations”

Professor John Bratton

QUB/QBS

Abstract

Drawing upon his new book, Artificial Intelligence and Work: Transforming Work, Organizations, and Society in an Age of Insecurity (co-edited with Laura Steele), John provides a critical examination of how AI is impacting micro HRM activities – recruitment and selection, performance management, learning and development, and rewards. He concludes by polemically arguing that AI can potentially de-professionalize the HR profession and proposes a new role for HR professionals, as managers of HR and organizational risks.

In contrast, drawing on his forthcoming book regarding the history of labour process thought on technology at work (Edward Elgar), Niall argues two points. First, that the 'future of work' predicted by commentators on AI may be based on over-confident assumptions that do not hold under scrutiny, and that 'so-so' technological change is more likely. Second, while the trade union movement might aspire to shape the trajectory of new technology (see Trades Union Congress, 2023, "When AI is Boss"), its aspirations in this regard are unlikely to amount to much due to a range of structural, institutional, and ideological factors.

QBS Student Hub, Entrepreneurial Hub, 01.028