How will AI impact Global Mobility?

Many of us have dabbled in the realm of AI tools, such as Chat GPT, to assist us in crafting reports or delving into research topics. It's even come in handy for lending a helping hand with our children's homework! With around 60% of organizations are already using AI to enhance efficiency and improve decision-making, it's no secret that AI is poised to replace mundane and repetitive jobs that we don't enjoy. Infact, AI is likely to reshape the very nature of work by taking on multiple tasks and roles.

So, what possibilities does AI offer in the world of global mobility and how can we make the most of it?

Key benefits of AI in Global Mobility

Increased productivity

AI tools can significantly enhance productivity by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks. These tools have proven to be effective for tasks such as preparing assignment letters, secondment agreements, and drafting certificate of coverage applications. Leveraging AI allows mobility professionals to achieve more accurate and consistent outputs while also benefiting from the ability of AI to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This frees up valuable time for professionals to focus on tasks that bring greater value to their work.

Faster and more effective communication

One of the most impressive features of AI is just how well it can craft and write emails. Envision the convenience of using AI to compose that challenging email to an employee or the business, where you need to strike the perfect balance between being polite and firm.

Higher accuracy and fewer mistakes

AI could also be used to deal with some of the logistics of moving people. How about using AI to create personalised travel recommendations for your mover? Or arranging to translate documents? Or even running payroll? By integrating AI into these aspects, global mobility teams can streamline essential yet repetitive tasks, minimizing the chances of human error and enhancing the overall efficiency of the move process.

Improved employee experience

Going even further – AI can make recommendations. What if you could use AI to recommend the best policy options, tailored to the profile of the employee? AI can learn of course – and so may be able to predict challenges in specific locations based on the history of moves to those locations. AI also has the capability to analyze the successes and failures of past moves, pinpointing the key factors that influenced their outcomes. These sorts of insights can then be used to make data-driven decisions and improve future global mobility strategies.

Stronger, data-driven decision-making

We might also use AI to analyse swathes of data or produce reports that you can easily share with the leadership team or team managers. AI will produce a far quicker and more accurate answer to a question such as “give me a list of all EU citizens in Japan and Malaysia who are married”, compared to asking someone to trawl through spreadsheets. 

AI's impact on Global Mobility

With the numerous advantages that AI brings, it has sparked various reactions, including some concerns about the potential obsolescence of certain roles. Considering AI's ability to instantly generate letters, provide insights on the difficulty of moving to specific countries, assist with travel arrangements, and handle payroll, one might question the necessity of mobility professionals. Will their roles become obsolete or simply undergo a transformation?

Well, there are several reasons why we probably don’t need to hang up our boots (☝️) just yet: 

•  Human adaptability and flexibility are crucial in areas where AI falls short. Our ability to make impromptu decisions and adjust plans through conversations with fellow humans allows us to effectively navigate changes.
  
  
• AI is bound by the data it can access. If your policy doesn't align with your business's approach to mobility, AI won't be able to address that issue. It can only function based on the information it possesses. However, humans possess the ability to comprehend the underlying factors and rectify any errors.
  
  
• AI's limitations can lead to incomplete or contradictory information, which can be risky. It's crucial to establish a thorough review process and avoid excessive dependence on AI. Maintaining the skill of questioning and challenging AI's information is essential for accuracy.
  
  
• What happens if you, or your movers, find yourself in a location where technology access is uncertain? In such situations, the ability of AI to provide on-the-ground support becomes limited.
  
  
• People appreciate people. That human connection is arguably even more important when people are away from home, where isolation can be an issue. A real human, and not a disembodied chat bot will have a far greater and positive impact on someone’ well-being and sense of connection with the business.

So, is AI a friend or a foe?

Ignoring AI in the global mobility world in the hope that our roles are not made redundant is almost certainly not the right answer. Looking at the outcomes of combining the experience of seasoned global mobility professionals with the analytical and time-saving benefits of AI is the win-win scenario that we must all aim for.