The State of HR Summit 2024, held on June 19 at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, featured insights from top HR leaders and experts. In one of the Summit’s talks, Atty. Arlene De Castro, Chief People and Customer Officer of Sprout Solutions, shared valuable takeaways from the State of HR 2024 Report. 

This annual Summit, now in its 7th year, offered a stage for leaders to explore cutting-edge HR practices and tech innovations. 

De Castro’s talk focused on three big themes: the rise of AI in HR, the shift towards employee well-being, and using tech to create smarter workplaces. Let's dive into what she had to say!

The Role of Technology and AI in HR

De Castro began by highlighting how fast technology is changing the HR landscape. Five years ago, automation was the hot topic. At the time, businesses were grappling with inefficient and repetitive manual processes that drained both time and resources. Automation emerged as a solution to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve overall productivity. It has since become standard practice in HR departments.

Then came hybrid work during the pandemic, followed by a heightened focus on employee well-being last year. 

Now, the spotlight is on “HR AI” — using artificial intelligence to make HR smarter and more efficient. She emphasized that AI isn’t just a buzzword; it's reshaping how we think about HR. AI tools like HR Link, Sprout's own AI-driven assistant, streamline HR tasks by instantly pulling up local employment laws and regulations.

However, not every company is ready for this AI-driven future. According to the “State of HR Report 2024,” only 12.3% of organizations have high exposure to AI. De Castro urged HR leaders to start educating themselves and their teams on AI technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

The Growing Importance of Employee Well-being

Another key focus of De Castro’s talk was employee well-being, which has become a top priority for organizations today, because workers—especially ones from Gen Z—are more engaged and satisfied when they are healthier. 

The report reveals a growing investment in tools for remote work, online learning, and performance management. De Castro stressed that technology can be a big help here. For example, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) use has jumped from 54% to 64% in the last year, showing that more companies are turning to tech to manage their people better, and in many cases help deliver well-being interventions.

She urged HR leaders to find tech solutions that help strike a balance between work flexibility and employee engagement, emphasizing that employees now prefer flexible schedules and that this preference should be aligned with effective HR strategies.

Addressing the Challenges of AI Adoption

While AI offers many opportunities, it also comes with challenges, especially around data privacy and ethical considerations. De Castro, a certified Data Protection Officer, discussed the concerns many HR professionals have about data security when using AI tools. She assured that with the right strategies, AI can be a safe and powerful ally for HR.

Sprout is already thinking ahead in this space and it champions Human Capital Augmentation as seen in its AI Manifesto. By focusing on transparency and ethical use, Sprout is setting an example of how to responsibly roll out AI-driven HR solutions.

2024 HR Trends in Action

De Castro’s talk included several takeaways and recommendations for companies looking to adopt to the latest HR trends:

• Drive technology adoption through effective change management and training;
• Perform regular audits to ensure compliance and optimize practices;
• Engage employees through flexible work arrangements, where applicable, and well-being strategies

By prioritizing high-impact technologies and exploring funding options, organizations can build a future-ready HR strategy that meets both business and employee needs.

Learn more about the State of HR Summit 2024 here. Stay tuned for next year’s event! 

In the meantime, check out Sprout’s repository of blog articles and our long-form content such as ebooks and whitepapers. You can register for upcoming events and explore our on-demand videos to learn more.