Shaping AI Transformation: Digital Competencies and Augmentation Strategies of HRD Professionals

One major challenge of the digital transformation is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled smart machines into various domains. Human resource development (HRD) is particularly affected by this development. HRD has to deal itself with the digital transformation but also has to prepare the employees to be successful in such a context. In doing so, HRD faces a highly dynamic environment, which makes new competencies necessary. This chapter examines the competencies of HRD concerning the digital transformation, in particular AI. Our conceptual framework comprises three levels: individual, professional, and organisational. Based on this, a survey among human resource developers was carried out yielding a sample of N = 160 in 2019 and N = 170 in 2020. Competencies in HRD for shaping the AI transformation have only changed significantly at individual levels, namely in the realm of instrumental skills from 2019 to 2020. HRD professionals currently seem to be focusing more on digitalisation within the daily business. Future-oriented projects that deal with the potential benefits of AI seem not very common in HRD.