Welcome back to work! I've had the chance to launch several different initiatives, attend numerous networking meetings, provide training and advice, and also recover from being sick 🤧🤢. Of course, I want to share everything that's happening with me before we dive into the usual industry news.
In this month's reflection, you'll find my latest article on the theme of AI and HR.
Since starting this newsletter, I've only published it on LinkedIn, which then sends emails to you, but that doesn’t always work smoothly. That's why I'm now offering the option to subscribe to the newsletter via email, and also deliver it in English for those who don’t speak Swedish.
For those following me here, this may not be news, but on Monday, I introduced Emira Blomberg as my new sidekick on the podcast, and we launched our first episode together. You'll get to know me a bit better. Who is Anna Carlsson, the person behind HR Digi, HR Digitaliseringspodden, and this newsletter?
Listen to the episode here: Anna Carlsson in depth: HR, digitalization, and opportunities.
The "normal" season continues, and in September you'll hear:
Last Friday, Thomas Eklöf and I hosted our first audio event on LinkedIn, "Ask the HR Experts About AI and Digitalization." This audio event will now take place every Friday morning, so feel free to join us on my LinkedIn page, Anna Carlsson, at 8:30 AM! This Friday, Thomas couldn’t join, so Emira will step in instead 👏🏻.
Our collaboration focuses on enhancing my expertise in AI details. Therefore, we're launching our joint training, "HR Tech and AI for HR Pros 🤖," with the first session on October 15-16. It's a two-day training for those who want to lead, manage, or influence their organization's digital HR journey, where AI is one of your best tools. We also want to make it possible to ask short questions directly to us, which is why we're starting these digital Friday events on LinkedIn.
More info about the course can be found here: https://www.hrdigi.se/kurser
Want to have lunch with me in Södermalm, Stockholm, on a Wednesday? We’ll talk about HR and Tech, which also means AI since it’s part of tech. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, everyone is welcome, but the max number of attendees is eight. One hour of informal conversation with each other, and lunch. Yesterday, we had our first lunch, and of course, we had plenty to discuss. The next opportunity is on September 11, and you can find the invitation on my page!
Remember the story by H.C. Andersen? It's about an emperor who is tricked into believing he wears magnificent clothes, while in reality, he is naked 🤴🫣. Everyone around him plays along with the illusion, afraid to seem ignorant, until a child dares to speak the truth.
In relation to AI, the story symbolizes how we can sometimes be blinded by the hype surrounding new technology, like generative AI, and lose our critical thinking. We risk embracing tools like ChatGPT as a universal solution simply because everyone else seems to be doing so, without fully understanding their limitations. Just like the emperor and his court didn’t dare admit that they couldn’t actually see any clothes.
I'm thrilled that HR is taking an interest in something digital and different. But I'm concerned that we’re not taking other digital advancements, which create long-term value in our organizations, as seriously. The article is written with the need in mind for us to become just as knowledgeable in other tech and data as we try to be in AI.
In English, the term “Tech literacy” is used to describe the skills everyone needs in any role, whether in HR, finance, or as a CEO. It means we all need to have the competence, the ability to think critically, assess risks, and use tech (and AI) where it has an impact.
AI – the Emperor's New Clothes?
Don’t get too focused on AI! For us to succeed in our digital future, we need to use the entire toolbox - Anna Carlsson, HR Tech Analyst
You can read the article here.
The most significant development right now is the new AI regulation coming into force in the EU. Starting from August 2024, new rules for AI systems will be implemented across all 27 EU countries. These regulations, known as the EU AI Act (AIA), are designed to balance innovation with the protection of health, safety, and fundamental rights of individuals. There’s much discussion around its impact on our competitiveness, similar to when GDPR was introduced.
From January 1, 2025, certain types of systems, such as high-risk ones (e.g., social scoring, facial recognition, etc.), will be banned unless justified to protect life and health. By the summer of 2026, other areas will be regulated, requiring, for example, the storage of decisions, documentation, and transparency about what the AI does.
Here are two sources for good information:
Venero Capital Advisors, which invests globally in HR Tech and Work Tech, notes some trends from Q2.
Hot areas:
This indicates that providers in these areas are doing well and receiving investments.
Challenging areas
The last 18 months have been the toughest in a long time for the recruitment industry. Both recruitment technology providers and recruitment firms have felt the downturn in hiring, as companies have reduced their spending. With a median annual growth rate of -2%, “unchanged” has become the new definition of “growth” for this sector.
You can read the article here -->Swedish Learnster raises 31 million for continued growth.
A tech strategy for recruitment doesn’t work unless you know how to position yourself for the people you need to recruit and have a clear Employer Brand. In this report, you can find answers to your questions and information about 75 Swedish cities. A free version is available.
Two highlights from this year's report:
You can find the report here.
You can read more here.
Intelliplan acquires Danish Emini and creates a Nordic market leader in temp staffing.
In Sweden, we are fantastic at creating good tech solutions. As a result, these companies are also included on global lists. On the list below, which highlights Edtech companies, you'll find Alva Labs and Sana 👏🏻
You can read more here --> The top emerging edtech companies for workforce development in 2024 — edtech 20:20 vision.
OpenAI has begun rolling out its new advanced voice feature, Voice Mode, to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users. This feature, based on GPT-4, enables more natural and interactive conversations where users can interrupt at any time, and the AI can adapt to the user's emotions.
Read more here.
As the final news item, McKinsey & Company released their report in July. While it’s not specifically HR-related, it may be of interest to the curious. The report states that despite a 30-40% decline in tech investments in 2023, future technologies like generative AI and renewable energy continue to grow. Generative AI has seen a 700% increase in searches. Companies are focusing on long-term strategies to adapt to new technologies, with a strong demand for talent in these areas.
Read more here.
The goal of this newsletter is to share news about the HR Tech market and digitalization and innovation in leadership and HR. I also discuss episodes of the HR Digitalization Podcast.
My name is Anna Carlsson, and I am a curious HR Tech analyst with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of business, people, and technology. I believe that technology is not a side activity within HR; digitalization is fundamental to creating a more people-focused workplace. My passion is leading the movement for the future of HR by co-creating it with clients and colleagues, as well as educating and developing organizations and individuals.
I run HR Digi, which includes the HR Digitalization Podcast, where I also serve as the host. At HR Digi, we offer consulting, training, and inspiration to help create a modern digital organization. I am also now on the 2024 Top 100 HR Tech Influencers list 👏🏻
👉 Book a digital coffee with me, and we can discuss how I can support your work.
Have a great late summer ☀️🍦
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