From HR business partners to business makers: The AI-powered transformation

The changing role of HR: From operational to strategic

For decades, HR was seen primarily as a support function—handling payroll, compliance, and hiring. Then came the evolution toward HR as a business partner, where HR professionals worked closely with leadership to align workforce strategies with business goals. But today, HR must go even further.

HR is no longer just a partner to the business—it’s a business maker.

Why this shift matters

Skills, not jobs, define business success.
A 2023 McKinsey report highlights that 87% of companies are experiencing skill gaps or expect to in the next five years. Traditional job descriptions are becoming obsolete, making skills intelligence the new foundation for workforce planning.

AI and data are transforming HR decision-making.
According to a 2023 Gartner study, organizations using AI-powered talent analytics report a 25% improvement in workforce productivity and a 30% reduction in turnover.

Workforce agility is now a competitive advantage.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report states that by 2025, 50% of all employees will need reskilling. HR must proactively redeploy talent and upskill employees to meet evolving business needs.

Talent retention is a business priority.
A LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report found that employees with access to clear career development opportunities are 41% more likely to stay with their organization. Personalized career pathing is now essential.

In short, HR is no longer just managing talent—it is shaping the future of work and driving measurable business outcomes.

HR’s new role: from support to strategy

Traditional HR business partners have long been strategic advisors, ensuring that workforce planning aligns with business objectives. But today, HR is evolving into a true business maker—a function that drives growth through skills intelligence, agility, and AI-powered decision-making.

At 365Talents, we believe that the key to this transformation is a skills-first approach, enabled by HR-specialized AI that reveals untapped talent, unexpected matches, and new career paths.

The 5 pillars of AI-powered HR transformation

1. Skills Intelligence as the new business currency

Organizations must transition from job-based workforce planning to skills-based talent strategies. AI-driven skills intelligence enables HR to anticipate talent needs, match employees to roles dynamically, and ensure business continuity.

  • AI-driven skills mapping: Analyzes employee capabilities in real time, identifying hidden talent pools and emerging skills.
  • Dynamic talent marketplaces: Facilitate internal mobility by matching employees with new roles, projects, and learning opportunities.
  • Proactive skills gap analysis: Aligns workforce capabilities with business strategy, reducing reliance on external hiring.

A case study from IBM found that implementing AI-driven skills intelligence helped reduce external hiring costs by 30% and improved internal mobility by 40% over two years.

2. Personalization at scale: personalized career paths that drive engagement

Traditional career ladders are giving way to non-linear career growth models, where employees expect personalized career trajectories. AI-driven career pathing enables HR to provide tailored career development opportunities at scale.

  • Personalized learning recommendations: AI identifies skill gaps and suggests targeted training programs to support career progression.
  • AI-powered career coaching: Offers employees data-driven insights into potential career moves within the organization.
  • Internal talent marketplaces: Connect employees with cross-functional projects, mentorships, and job rotations.

A study by Deloitte found that companies offering career personalization saw a 34% increase in employee engagement and a 27% decrease in voluntary turnover.

3. AI-enhanced decision-making in HR: from intuition to insights

To make HR a true business driver, decisions must be based on predictive analytics rather than intuition. AI-powered workforce analytics provide real-time insights into talent trends and business needs.

  • Real-time workforce trend tracking: Identifies patterns in employee engagement, retention, and skill development.
  • Predictive attrition modeling: Uses historical data to forecast turnover risks, enabling proactive retention strategies.
  • AI-driven workforce planning: Helps HR leaders allocate resources efficiently by aligning talent supply with future business demands.

According to a PwC survey, organizations that leverage AI for workforce planning see a 20% improvement in talent retention and a 15% reduction in hiring costs.

4. Agility & internal mobility: the future of workforce planning

The ability to rapidly deploy talent within an organization is becoming a key differentiator in workforce management. Internal mobility programs, powered by AI, allow organizations to maximize their existing workforce potential.

  • AI-powered skill matching: Enables employees to transition into new roles or short-term projects that match their skill sets.
  • Reskilling and upskilling initiatives: Provide employees with tailored learning pathways to ensure long-term employability.
  • Flexible workforce models: Allow employees to work on internal gigs or cross-functional teams, increasing engagement and business responsiveness.

A 2023 LinkedIn Talent Trends report found that companies with strong internal mobility programs retain employees nearly twice as long as those without such initiatives.

5. Human-centric AI: HR’s secret to driving business growth

AI is not a replacement for HR but a tool to enhance decision-making and efficiency. The most successful organizations use AI to empower HR professionals while maintaining a human-centered approach.

  • Augmented decision-making: AI provides data-driven recommendations, but HR professionals still apply judgment and strategic insight.
  • Bias mitigation: AI can identify and reduce unconscious bias in hiring, promotions, and performance evaluations.
  • Employee experience enhancement: AI-driven platforms personalize engagement strategies, improving satisfaction and productivity.

A Harvard Business Review study found that organizations that adopt AI in HR processes see a 19% increase in employee satisfaction and a 23% improvement in workforce productivity.

365Talents skills

The future is here: HR as a business maker

The transition from HR business partner to business maker is already underway. Organizations that leverage AI-driven skills intelligence, internal mobility, and data-driven decision-making will lead the future of work.

How 365Talents empowers HR’s transformation

365Talents’ AI-driven HR solutions provide organizations with:

  • Enhanced internal mobility and talent retention through dynamic talent matching.
  • Personalized career development based on real-time skills intelligence.
  • Workforce agility and future-proofing by proactively identifying skill gaps and opportunities.

Organizations that embrace this transformation will not only optimize talent management but also drive sustainable business growth.

Ready to transform your HR strategy? Discover how 365Talents can help you unlock workforce potential with AI-powered talent intelligence.

More resources

  • Veolia charts a new course for their people at work

    Veolia has chosen 365Talents, an AI-based talent experience platform, to support the Group's approach to digitalizing its tools for skills development.

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  • Job mapping: The key to developing your employees’ careers

    Discover how job mapping helps identify skill gaps, optimize career paths, and boost employee development. Unlock talent potential with a strategic job mapping approach.

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  • The guide to understanding how Skills-Based Organizations will thrive in 2025

    SBOs are more inclined to thrive in this disruptive world of work. Why? Skills-based organizations recognize that everyone is a talent by nature and has the capacity to gain new potential, and new skills every day.

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