Artificial Intelligence and Public Human Resource Management: Questions for Research and Practice

Advances in big data and artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning (ML) and other cognitive computing technologies (CCT), have facilitated the development of human resource management (HRM) applications promising greater efficiency, economy, and effectiveness for public administration (Maciejewski, 2017) and better alignment with the modern, constantly evolving employment landscape. It is not surprising then that these advanced technologies are featured in proposals to elevate the government’s human capital. This article discusses current and emerging AI applications that stand to impact most (if not all) HRM functions and their prospects for elevating public human capital. In particular, this article (a) reviews the current state of the field with regards to AI and HRM, (b) discusses AI’s current and potential impact upon the core functional areas of HRM, (c) identifies the main challenges AI poses to such concerns as public values, equity, and traditional merit system principles, and (d) concludes by identifying research needs for public HRM scholarship and practice that highlight the growing role and influence of AI applications in the workplace.