Will AI Steal My HR Job or Just My Coffee Mug?

— A Human Resource Perspective in the Age of Algorithms

I sat at my desk this morning, sipping lukewarm coffee from my favorite mug — the one that affirms “World’s Best HR (According to Me).” As I scrolled past yet another article titled “AI Will Replace 80% of HR Jobs,” I paused. Not out of trepidation, but out of inquisitiveness.

Would AI really replace me? Or just borrow my mug while I enjoy a wellness webinar?

Let’s chat about it.

🤖 The Rise of the Bots in the Breakroom

Let’s not pretend AI hasn’t made its striking entrance. From parsing resumes in milliseconds to nudging candidates via automated emails at 3 a.m., AI has certainly become that new intern who never sleeps and never forgets.

It screens faster, learns patterns, and never complains about Monday blues.

But here’s the catch — it also doesn’t feel.
It doesn’t understand why Mr. A broke down during his exit interview.
It doesn’t sense when a team’s morale is low even if their Objectives and key results (OKRs) say otherwise.

You should spot, HR isn’t just about "resources." It’s about humans.

🧍🏽‍♀️ HR Is Not Just Hiring. It’s Healing.

We are therapists without licenses.
We are referees without whistles.
We are the concealed force that keeps cultures glued when companies stretch too soon.

Yes, AI can write your JD. It can even draft a rejection letter. But will it look you in the eye, after a layoff call, and tell you, “I know this hurts, and I’m here if you need to talk”?

Can it walk up to a new joiner who's nervously staring at their ID card and say,
"Welcome aboard. Let’s grab a coffee and talk about your dreams.”

We’re not worried about AI doing our tasks.
We’re worried about forgetting the reason behind them.

☕ So… Will It Steal My Job?

Let’s be authentic. If your HR role is purely transactional — scheduling interviews, chasing feedback, sending automated surveys — then it's 110% sure, the bots are coming, and they’re drinking espresso.
But if your HR DNA includes connection, intuition, empathy, and creativity — then you’re not getting replaced.

You’re getting upgraded.

Because AI won’t replace HR. It will replace atrocious HR.

The kind that forgets birthdays but remembers compliance.
The kind that avoids challenging conversations and hides behind policy PDFs.
The kind that never asks, “How are you, really?”

🌱 The Future: AI as Our Sidekick, Not Our Successor

Imagine this:
AI shortlists the best 5 resumes out of 500.
You talk to them — really talk — and find the one who fits your culture like a glove.
AI sends automated reminders and gathers survey data.
You walk into the room and say, “Let’s fix what these numbers are trying to suggest us.”

The future isn’t AI vs. HR.
It’s HR with AI.
It’s Iron Man, not Terminator.

🎭 Final Thought: Keep the Mug. Keep the Magic.

Your coffee mug isn’t just ceramic.
It’s stained with late-night policy rewrites.
It’s witnessed you cry after a tough termination.
It’s been your silent companion while you rebuilt a team from scratch.

Let AI handle the grind.
You — the Human in Human Resources — keep the soul.

Because long after AI has read every resume, the world will still need someone to say:
"You’re more than your CV. Tell me your story."

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think my coffee just got cold again. But hey — at least the robot didn’t steal it. ☕