Artificial Intelligence is redefining Human Resources, turning a once-reactive support function into a predictive, strategic driver of business growth.
To explore how HR leaders can move from experimentation to meaningful results, FOCUS spoke with Brian Weng, Chief Technology Officer of BIPO, a global payroll and HR solutions provider. Weng shares how AI is shaping the next chapter in workplace evolution and how BIPO’s Athena BI platform helps companies turn ambition into action.
What are the main opportunities and challenges in applying AI to Human Resources today?
AI is rapidly transforming Human Resources (HR) from a reactive support function into a predictive, strategic driver. The opportunities are significant. AI enables predictive workforce planning, allowing organisations to anticipate attrition, forecast hiring needs, and optimise workforce allocation. It also enhances personalised employee experience through tools like sentiment analysis and intelligent chatbots, which help HR tailor engagement and support at scale. In parallel, automating routine tasks like resume screening, leave approvals, and payroll processing boosts operational efficiency and frees HR teams to focus on higher-value, strategic initiatives.
But with adoption comes challenges like:
- Fragmented Data & Legacy Systems: Many HR teams still operate in silos, making it difficult to unify data for AI-driven insights.
- AI Literacy & Change Management: Limited internal capabilities and resistance to change hamper the adoption.
- Ethical Governance: Bias, transparency, and accountability in AI models require robust frameworks to ensure fairness and compliance.
Success hinges on embedding AI responsibly into workflows, identifying high-impact use cases, and building internal capabilities to sustain innovation.
How does BIPO’s Athena BI platform help companies move from AI ambition to true AI readiness?
Many HR teams are overwhelmed by data silos and instinct-driven decisions. Athena BI is designed to bridge the gap between ambition and execution by offering:
- Unified Data Visibility: Athena consolidates disparate HR data sources into a single dashboard, enabling realtime insights across payroll, attendance, claims, and workforce demographics.
- Agent-Based Analytics: The platform’s AI agent can analyse company data, generate charts, perform web searches, and export results—turning complex queries into actionable intelligence.
- Predictive & Prescriptive Capabilities: Athena supports early attrition alerts, absenteeism tracking, and performance forecasting, helping HR teams move from reactive to proactive decision-making.
At its core, Athena BI embeds AI into everyday HR workflows, making advanced analytics accessible to nontechnical users and aligning insights with business goals.
Over the next five years, how will AI transform HR from administrative support to strategic business driver?
The shift is already underway.HR will evolve into a data-driven advisory function, using AI to guide workforce strategy, succession planning, and organisational design.
Over the next five years, we expect more strategic decision-making approach where HR will evolve into a data-driven advisory function, using AI to guide workforce strategy, succession planning, and organisational design, including:
- Real-Time Workforce Intelligence: Platforms like Athena BI will empower HR to monitor global workforce trends, identify risks, and align talent strategies with
business objectives.
- Automation of Core Processes: Routine tasks will be fully automated, allowing HR to focus on culture, leadership development, and innovation.
The impact on enhanced employee experiences where AI-powered interfaces will offer personalised support, from onboarding to career development, improving satisfaction
and retention. Ultimately, AI will elevate HR from a cost centre to a strategic enabler, driving growth, agility, and resilience across the enterprise. Building on this vision, companies that treat AI as a core capability, not just a tool, will gain a decisive edge.
Learn more about BIPO’s award-winning AI-powered HR, Payroll, and Athena BI solutions at www.biposervice.com
First published in Issue #83 of FOCUS Magazine – Artificial Intelligence in November 2025. FOCUS Magazine is the flagship publication of the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
