The Hi AI Capability Framework
Building Human Capability for an AI-Enabled World
The goal is not to teach AI tools. The goal is to build the human capabilities required to operate effectively in an AI-enabled world.
HR roles analysed
Tasks assessed
Core capabilities
Proficiency levels
Research conducted in partnership with GoFIGR's AI Impact Assessment.
Seven capabilities. One framework.
Each capability addresses a core question every HR professional must be able to answer.
"Can I continuously learn and evolve?"
Continuously learns, refines, and adapts as technology, work and organisational expectations evolve.
Why it matters
AI capabilities are evolving faster than most organisations can adapt. The advantage comes from how quickly teams build capability to use it well.
Skills that build this capability
Curiosity
Seeks new knowledge, perspectives and possibilities
Learning Agility
Continuously learns, adapts, and applies new thinking in changing situations
Experimentation
Tests ideas, tools and approaches through low-risk experimentation to inform adoption
Adaptability
Adjusts thinking, behaviours, and approaches to remain effective through uncertainty and change
Digital Fluency
Effectively applies digital technologies and AI to support work outcomes
Observable behaviours
"Can I work effectively alongside intelligent systems?"
Works collaboratively with AI by combining human judgement and AI capabilities to improve outcomes, decision-making, and ways of working.
Why it matters
The future workplace will involve collaboration between humans, AI systems, digital assistants and autonomous agents. Success depends on leveraging these while maintaining human oversight.
Skills that build this capability
AI Collaboration
Works collaboratively with AI by combining human and AI capabilities
Workflow Orchestration
Develops effective workflows that combine human and AI effort
Human-AI Judgement
Applies critical judgement to determine how AI and human expertise can support HR ways of working
Productivity Redesign
Rethinks how HR work can be done
Augmentation Thinking
Uses AI to complement and enhance human capability
Observable behaviours
"Can I create movement through people?"
Influences, inspires, coaches, and leads human and AI-enabled HR teams through change, uncertainty, and evolving ways of working.
Why it matters
AI cannot replace trust, relationships, empathy, influence or coaching. These become more important as organisations navigate transformation.
Skills that build this capability
Stakeholder Influence
Influences stakeholders to gain commitment and strategic alignment
Coaching
Develops self and others in building AI fluency and capability
Communication
Creates clarity, alignment and understanding through effective AI and human enabled communication
Change Leadership
Supports people through uncertainty and transition
Builds Trust
Establishes trust, credibility, and confidence through transparent and consistent behaviour
Observable behaviours
"Can I see the bigger picture?"
Understands complex systems, anticipates future challenges, and makes decisions that consider broader organisational impacts.
Why it matters
AI impacts people, process, culture, leadership, operating models and performance. Leaders need to see beyond individual initiatives.
Skills that build this capability
Strategic Thinking
Connects workforce and business decisions to long-term enterprise outcomes
Systems Thinking
Understands relationships, interdependencies, and impacts across organisational systems
Business Acumen
Understands and applies commercial drivers to inform organisational priorities and decisions
Scenario Planning
Considers and prepares for multiple future possibilities
Strategic Foresight
Anticipates emerging opportunities, risks, and shifts that impact the future of HR work
Observable behaviours
"Can I think differently to solve what's next?"
Applies creative and critical thinking to generate new ideas, challenge existing approaches, and solve complex problems through experimentation, learning, and innovative solutions.
Why it matters
AI can process information at scale but cannot replace human ingenuity, contextual intuition or the ability to reframe a problem entirely.
Skills that build this capability
Creative Thinking
Generates new perspectives, challenges assumptions, and explores possibilities
Problem Framing
Defines the real problem before jumping to solutions
Ideation
Generates and explores a range of possible ideas and solutions
Prototyping
Tests ideas and learns from early experiments
Human-Centred Design
Designs solutions around the needs and experiences of people
Observable behaviours
"Can I make good decisions in complex environments?"
Applies human judgement, ethical reasoning and accountability to make well-informed decisions when using AI in evolving HR environments.
Why it matters
As AI becomes embedded in decision-making, accountability remains human. Organisations need leaders who evaluate information critically.
Skills that build this capability
Human Judgement
Makes sound decisions when using AI, applying critical thinking, context, and human expertise
Ethical Reasoning
Considers ethical implications and broader impacts when applying AI in HR decisions
Governance
Applies appropriate oversight and controls to ensure responsible AI use
Risk Evaluation
Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks associated with AI-enabled HR decisions
Accountability
Takes responsibility for AI-assisted decisions and outcomes
Observable behaviours
"Can I redesign work for a human + AI future?"
Redesigns work, roles, teams and organisational structures through the integration of human and AI capabilities to enable a future-ready workforce.
Why it matters
The bigger opportunity is not applying AI to existing ways of working. It is redesigning work itself.
Skills that build this capability
Operating Model Design
Aligns people, processes and technology across the enterprise ecosystem
Workforce Architecture
Designs the future workforce capabilities and talent models required for organisational success
Role Redesign
Redesigns roles by evolving tasks, responsibilities, and capabilities to optimise human and AI integration
Capability Planning
Identifies and builds the capabilities required for a future-ready workforce
Observable behaviours
The future advantage of organisations will not come from access to AI alone. It will come from their ability to develop the human capabilities required to work effectively alongside it.