Policy gaps widen despite strong efficiency gains
The Society for Human Resource Management released a white paper on Tuesday calling for a unified federal framework to govern artificial intelligence in the workplace, as new data shows organisations are reporting significant efficiency gains even as policy gaps widen.
The report, titled “The Human + AI Advantage: Maximising Organisational Value Through AI and Human Intelligence,” warns that a fragmented state-by-state regulatory approach is increasing employer risk and operational complexity.
“AI is no longer emerging; it’s fundamentally transforming how work gets done across every sector,” said Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s chief administrative officer. “As adoption accelerates, employers face a fragmented and rapidly evolving policy landscape that lacks alignment with today’s workplace realities. What organizations urgently need is a clear, risk-based federal framework – one that delivers consistency, fosters innovation, and establishes robust guardrails.”
AI adoption expands across workplaces
According to the white paper, 89% of organisations using AI in human resources reported greater operational efficiency, with 36% citing lower hiring costs and 24% noting improved identification of top candidates. The findings place recruitment and talent acquisition as the HR function most penetrated by AI adoption, with 27% of organisations now deploying the technology to support those efforts.
The report also found that workforce transformation is outpacing displacement. Among organisations that had adopted AI by the end of 2025, only 7% of HR professionals reported layoffs attributable to the technology. By contrast, 24% reported the creation of new roles, 39% noted shifts in worker responsibilities, and 57% reported increased investment in upskilling or reskilling programs.
SHRM estimated that 15.1% of employment – approximately 23.2 million jobs – is at least half automated, with significant variation across industries.
Skills awareness is growing on both sides of the employment relationship. The white paper found that 83% of HR leaders and 76% of workers recognise the need for new skills as AI becomes more deeply embedded in daily work.
SHRM cautioned that the absence of a cohesive national policy remains a significant obstacle. The organisation warned that a patchwork of state-level regulations risks creating inconsistent compliance burdens for employers operating across multiple jurisdictions.
“With the right policy foundation, employers can deploy AI responsibly, uphold accountability, and build enduring trust throughout the workforce,” Dickens noted.
SHRM president and CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr framed the issue in human terms. “AI plus HI (human intelligence) equals ROI (return on investment). This has never been about eliminating humans – it is and should always be about making human beings more efficient and more effective as we continuously strive to make better workplaces for a better world,” Taylor said.
The white paper recommends that policymakers work towards a uniform federal standard designed to prevent unlawful bias, ensure accountability, and foster public trust. It also calls on employers to address workforce concerns proactively and transparently, consistent with what SHRM describes as its AI + Human Intelligence framework.
