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AI Takes the Wheel in HR — But Who’s Still Driving?

October 16, 2025

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Amazon is reportedly planning to lay off up to 15 % of its HR (People eXperience & Technology) division as part of a broader AI-led reorganization. The company’s leadership expects generative AI and automation to reshape roles, increase efficiency, and reduce the need for certain functions. These moves underscore a tense transformation: HR itself is now a target of change. HR leaders must now think about how to re-skill and reframe their teams to remain strategic in a world where technology encroaches on traditionally human work. Read more.

🎧 HR Insights: How HR Should Respond When an Employee Is Struggling

When performance issues emerge, HR’s role often veers between support and enforcement. This article suggests the first step is diagnosis—not condemnation. HR and line managers should listen to root causes (personal issues, unclear goals, lack of resources), co-work on an action plan, offer support like coaching or training, and follow up consistently. The goal is to restore performance while safeguarding dignity, not just to penalize.

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💡 HR Tips & Tricks

Tip of the Day: For each major HR project, designate one person as the Surprise Spotter—their sole task is to monitor for unexpected side effects (positive or negative) over the first few weeks post-launch. They report what they see that wasn’t anticipated. This role helps catch unintended impacts early and gives the team chance to course correct.

Trick of the Day: After rolling out a new policy or benefit change, issue small “echo cards” (digital or paper) that ask employees: Which one part of this new policy do you think we might misunderstand? Why? Collect responses in the first week and use them as a feedback lens. The trick surfaces hidden confusion or resistance, helping HR clarify communication quickly.

🧾 HR Case Files: CheckInAI - Detecting Emotional Distress Through AI

In an interview with TechRound, Linda Nkechi Umegboro, founder of CheckInAI, explains how her platform uses natural language processing to detect emotional distress in respondents’ post-interaction messages. Originally built for research contexts, CheckInAI can prompt timely follow-up when signs of distress emerge, allowing researchers (or HR practitioners) to intervene sensitively and appropriately. The story highlights how responsive, humane technology can complement human care..

Key Takeaways

  • Emotion detection tools can act as early warning signals for wellbeing.

  • Automated follow-ups must be paired with human support to be ethical.

  • Transparency and consent are essential when deploying such technologies.

  • Cultural and individual differences must inform interpretation

🧰 HR Toolbox

Stay equipped with the latest HR events and resources.

Resource of the Day

Lyzr, an AI vendor, has launched 15 HR-focused intelligent agents designed for tasks such as candidate screening, employee query resolution, benefits navigation, and learning recommendations. These agents aim to reduce repetitive work and free HR teams to focus more on strategic and relational tasks. The release offers a practical glimpse of how AI agents are evolving into modular HR assistants.

Event of the Day

HRWeek Global is an upcoming multi-day event gathering, from 17-21 November. Sessions span topics like AI in HR, people analytics, leadership development, and future of work. The event aims to showcase emerging practices and foster global exchange, helping HR leaders stay current with transformations in work and human capital.

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