The UK’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development plans to set up working groups to develop principles and practical guidance to help employers embrace AI tools, particularly generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, responsibly and ethically. 

Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, CIPD, said, “AI is transforming jobs, careers and workplaces. People professionals have a key role to play in encouraging safe experimentation and rapid learning, so that we can reap the benefits and mitigate the risks.”

There would three working groups set up. The need for the working groups was agreed at a recent roundtable, where the CIPD brought together a range of experts to establish common thinking around the opportunities and risks associated with AI.

According to the CIPD, there was broad agreement on the need to develop a clearer understanding of how people and technology can work together. Current understanding across business functions ranges widely from avoidance and fear, to embracing the opportunity for innovation, connectivity and productivity.

The three new working groups will bring together policy makers, people professionals from the CIPD’s HR Leaders’ Network, and other partners to focus on:  

1. Developing principles for safe and ethical use of AI in the workplace, for positive outcomes for people as well as the organisation.   
2. Change management across the organisation, overcoming barriers and building awareness and organisational trust.   
3. Understanding the impact of AI on skills, the required skills and educational needs for the future. 

The CIPD stated, “Without any current regulations to control AI usage, it’s important to develop principles and consistent guidance to support businesses. People professionals can help to create a safe environment for an organisation to lean in and test AI, to understand the areas of value, and the key points through a task or activity that require human oversight or intervention.”

David D’Souza, Membership Director, CIPD, said, “To help organisations lean in to AI responsibly and ethically, the people profession has a key role to play in managing change, enabling cultures of innovation and helping teams to develop a growth mindset.”

The UK government's March 2023 AI White Paper sets out a risk-based, sector-focused approach to regulating AI in the UK, with regulator guidance and sandboxes to be underpinned by five core principles.

Over in Europe, in December 2023, members of the European Parliament struck a political deal with the European Council on a bill for harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (AI). The rules establish obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.