Over the years, the focus on talent technology in the form of analytics, automation, big data, and robotics has focused mostly on the technological possibilities. However, there have been concerns about the loss of human touch with integrating technology.

But how much tech is too much tech? -- A question that baffles HR and business leaders. Is there a loss of human touch due to the excessive use of technology? And what can HR professionals do to humanize technology from the people perspective?

However, the new wave of technology is far from dehumanizing. In fact, technology will make work radically more human: more tailored to individual strengths, more flexible and portable, more collaborative, and more meaningful to employees.

Digital advances such as virtual sensors, analytics, robotic devices, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, automated virtual assistants, 3D printers, wearable devices, collaboration software, and gaming capabilities promise to reshape work practices like never before.

Technology removes the negative aspects from work such as bias and boredom, freeing up time and space for the uniquely human characteristics of creativity, intuition, conceptual thinking, and compassion.

Some of the humanizing aspects of technology:

Better workplace experience: Technology makes it possible to access personal, relevant content and take action when and where we need to. 

Integrate work and life: Company culture is key for employees’ growth, mental and physical wellbeing, and can even impact the company, itself. Technology today support employees to maintain their worklife balance and monitor their health and well-being.

Stay Connected: Business leaders and HR departments need to make a conscious effort to stay connected. This includes using collaboration tools, such as video chat and instant messaging which promotes efficient communication and effective collaboration.

However, just having the technology won’t instantly imbue an organization with a greater sense of human touch. Humanizing the workforce through digital takes a conscious effort. Organizations that embrace these changes from leaders down to front line workers will be able to enjoy more engaged, satisfied employees, improve workforce productivity and effectiveness, and achieve new levels of meaning, innovation, agility, and operational excellence.

Our digital future is riddled with social, moral, and ethical challenges – some of which we foresee quite clearly and many more we have not even imagined. Humanizing technology should be about more than making technology look, sound and feel human. It should advance humanity.

Note: This article is based on On Day 1 of People Matters TechHR 2019, the power panel that consist of imminent business and talent leaders like Ashutosh Sharma, Global Head HR, Pearl Global Industries, Mukul Jain, Founder and CEO, HONO, Poorav Sheth, CDO & CIO, Piramal Glass, Unmesh Pawar, Partner, Head-People, Performance, and Culture, KPMG and Mahalakshmi R, Head HR India, Mondelez International, discussed on how HR can humanize talent technology.