AI adoption is already underway, with 74 percent of HR departments using or planning to implement AI tools, and 60 percent of HR professionals consider automation and AI their top strategic priority for the next two years, a new survey suggests.
The findings are from a new study by Avature, The State of the HR Landscape in 2025, which surveyed HR leaders and practitioners on key industry trends.
AI is already playing a huge role in talent acquisition, with 61 percent of organisations using or planning to use AI to identify candidates for specific roles. Generative AI is also gaining traction, cited by 56 percent of respondents, while 48 percent report using AI-powered chatbots. However, while 42 percent of those who have integrated AI tools report increased productivity, 27 percent have yet to see measurable benefits.
Dimitri Boylan, CEO of Avature, said, “AI has the power to transform how we work, but its implementation must be accompanied by a clear strategy. Our study highlights the importance of applying this technology in HR to optimise talent allocation, improve the employee experience, and enhance retention strategies.”
Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
The study found that acquiring top talent remains a priority, with 45 percent of HR professionals identifying it as a key focus. However, more than half believe their current efforts could be improved. Addressing skill gaps and strategic workforce planning ranked as the third highest priority, cited by 42 percent of respondents. Many organisations are shifting towards skills-based approaches, with 40 percent already applying such strategies and 36 percent planning to do so.
The most significant progress in skills-based approaches has been seen in talent acquisition, where 80 percent of respondents reported advancements. Learning and development followed closely, with 69 percent noting improvements, while 46 percent reported progress in internal mobility.
Despite increased investment in HR technology, only 6 percent of respondents believe their current technology infrastructure fully supports organisational agility. A further 22 percent admitted that their existing systems hinder their ability to remain agile.
Data Analytics and HR’s Role in Workforce Planning
The study also found that data analytics is becoming a critical component of HR decision-making. Sixty-one percent of HR professionals identified increased data use as one of the most significant changes in the industry, while 63 percent believe data-driven decision-making will be key to future success. A recent poll by the CIPD has also found that almost two thirds of people (63%) would trust artificial intelligence (AI) to inform – but not make – important work decisions.
Workforce planning is another area where HR is playing a more prominent role. Seventy-one percent of respondents said HR is either actively involved or fully responsible for leading workforce planning within their organisations.
Boylan said, “Many HR departments still rely on technology solutions that fail to meet the needs of different stakeholders. Additionally, limited autonomy in making technology decisions—often controlled by IT—has resulted in tools that do not fully align with HR’s needs. Teams that take an active role in selecting and managing their technology solutions can achieve a significant competitive advantage.”
