ArdorComm News Network
May 7, 2025
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has revealed that the company’s move to replace segments of its Human Resources (HR) workforce with artificial intelligence (AI) tools has not resulted in job losses but instead led to expanded hiring in areas like programming, sales, and software engineering. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Krishna explained that automating routine HR tasks with AI has allowed IBM to reallocate resources toward growth-oriented, human-centric roles.
IBM hasn’t disclosed when the HR restructuring took place, but Krishna emphasized that the company’s overall headcount has increased due to efficiency gains from automation. AI agents now handle tasks like resume screening, workforce data analysis, and standard communications, freeing up funds and capacity for hiring in functions requiring creativity, critical thinking, and human interaction.
“Automation gave us the investment room to put into other areas,” Krishna said. “Our total employment has actually gone up.” He noted that while routine process work can be handled by machines, roles involving customer engagement and strategic thinking still require a human touch.
This shift reflects a broader trend across industries where HR is evolving from a back-office function to a strategic partner. As companies adopt AI to streamline compliance, payroll, and administrative duties, HR professionals are increasingly being redeployed to focus on employee experience, talent development, and leadership planning.
However, Krishna acknowledged potential concerns with such transitions, including ethics, transparency of AI decisions, and the need to reskill HR professionals. Still, IBM’s model positions automation not as a job killer, but as a catalyst for organizational transformation—provided it’s managed thoughtfully.
Krishna also addressed external economic pressures, warning that larger impacts from trade tariffs could require more difficult decisions. Nonetheless, IBM’s AI-led HR overhaul may serve as a blueprint for companies balancing cost-cutting with future-ready workforce strategies.
Source: peoplematters