Is AI replacing HR in the onboarding process?
Newly hired employees are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools during their first 90 days on the job, a new study shows, signalling a shift in how they navigate the onboarding process.
Researchers from the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) revealed a new onboarding reality for organisations where employees seek AI's help first before their managers or HR leaders.
According to the report, 68% of new hires used AI during their first 90 days on the job to help them get up to speed. Another 59% said AI filled the gaps that their manager or HR didn't cover during the period.
"As NKU's findings reveal, the first 90 days are now a blend of human and digital learning, where success depends on understanding how to use both wisely," the report read.
The top use of AI tools among newly hired staff in their first 90 days was summarising long documents (55%), followed by drafting or proofreading emails (52%). Others said they used AI for:
- Understanding unfamiliar software (42%)
- Answering client or customer questions (35%)
- Rehearsing what to say in meetings (30%)
- Creating project proposals or reports (25%)
- Decoding company acronyms or internal jargon (20%)
Why rely on AI?
The findings come in the wake of mounting research indicating that employees are turning to AI more for help or assistance instead of their colleagues.
This sentiment is strong among NKU's respondents, with 60% believing that they can rely on AI more than their managers or HR for quick help.
Another 74% also said they asked AI a question that they didn't feel comfortable asking another person.
The result is a more confident and efficient workforce, according to the study.
Six in 10 respondents (60%) said using AI in their first 90 days made them feel more efficient at finding or understanding information.
At least half of them also said they felt more independent (51%) and more confident in completing onboarding tasks (50%).
Is AI replacing HR in onboarding?
The study demonstrates the growing impact of AI in workplaces, particularly in reshaping the onboarding period.
But does this mean that HR and other people will no longer be relevant in future onboarding processes? Most employees don't think so.
While 75% of employees believe AI will play a significant role in HR onboarding programmes in the next five years, another 46% said they still trust their manager more to guide them in their first 90 days over AI tools.
The same data showed that 68% are even concerned that relying too much on AI during the first 90 days will make the experience feel less personal or human.
"AI is redefining what it means to be new in the workplace. For many, these tools are not replacing traditional onboarding, but they're filling its gaps, offering on-demand knowledge and reassurance," the report read.
