How a Gloucestershire HR company is helping businesses enable and embed AI safely and ethically

Across the business landscape, few topics are causing more confusion or uncertainty than AI, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Recent UK research by YouGov shows that nearly one in three SME business leaders are already using AI tools, with a further 15 per cent planning to.

But while leaders are starting to engage with the possibilities, the reality is that many employees are already using AI tools in their day-to-day work, often without formal guidance or business oversight.

That’s where HR People Support comes in — leading the charge in supporting HR professionals and business leaders get ahead and to help turn what’s already happening into something safe, consistent and purposeful.

As part of 'the new reality', HR People Support aims to work with you to navigate what matters from a people perspective — and where HR fits into the mix.

AI-readiness is not just a tech decision, but a people strategy issue. And HR can lead on cross firm partnerships — from marketing and IT to leadership — and key areas of focus, to help support the objective. 

HR People Support has identified four specific areas which HR can lead and support AI enablement in practice, including setting the stance; people impact and planning; skills and support; and policies and governance. 

With guidance, you will explore how AI might affect roles, workload or team structures, considering what skills and capabilities will be needed. 

You can bolster skills as well as boost communication in your team, identifying relevant training and reassurance needed, regarding AI's role or future role in your business and how to make sure staff are confident using it. 

Sarah Harris, managing director at HR People Support, said: 'AI is evolving quickly. What feels cutting-edge today may be outdated next quarter. That’s why rigid policies and once-a-year reviews won’t cut it. Businesses need practical flexibility, and ongoing conversations.

'HR’s role is to help keep people at the heart of those decisions. That means supporting capability, protecting fairness and helping to shape a culture where AI is used well and not necessarily blocked and locked.

'The goal is to help businesses stay confident, adaptable and people focused as the landscape continues to shift, because shift it will.'

HR People Support is offering practical support this autumn to help businesses find their footing with AI in the workplace.

Whether businesses are just starting to think about AI or already trying to manage its impact, they’re running a series of events and resources designed to cut through the noise.

The series begins with a flagship event at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday 21 October 2025, delivered in partnership with AI specialists Data³.

Together, they’ll explore the new reality for HR in businesses in enabling AI safely.

From there, topic-specific HR-led roundtables will help business and HR leaders take the next step, aimed at turning your questions into practical ideas they can be used in businesses straight away.

For more information, to book an event or a free, informal chat with Sarah at HR People Support, visit hrpeoplesupport.co.uk/ai-and-hr-the-new-reality.