Artificial intelligence (AI) should be used to strengthen rather than replace human judgement in workplace decisions, Senator Saraswathy Kandasami said, warning that responsibility for fairness and accountability must remain with HR and industrial relations professionals.
Speaking at the opening of the Industrial Relations Conference 2026 and CIRA Convocation in Kuala Lumpur, Saraswathy said AI could help practitioners organise information, analyse documents, identify gaps, structure investigations and improve documentation.
However, she cautioned against allowing technology to take over professional responsibility.
“AI can assist our judgement. It cannot replace our responsibility,” she said.
Saraswathy said HR and industrial relations professionals should use AI to ask better questions, identify gaps and improve decision-making, while retaining responsibility for fairness and professional judgement.
Her remarks come as Malaysia pushes ahead with workforce transformation and greater adoption of technology across workplaces.
Saraswathy said the country’s workforce strategy must go beyond simply producing skilled workers and should give equal attention to creating fair, productive and sustainable workplaces.
She said skills development, employability and industrial relations should be viewed as interconnected elements of workforce development.
“Skills must lead somewhere — to opportunity, employability, productivity and better livelihoods,” she said.
While initiatives such as Akademi Dalam Industri have helped bring workforce development closer to actual industry needs, Saraswathy said technical skills alone would not be enough if workplace relationships were weak.
“A skilled workforce needs a healthy workplace. If communication breaks down, trust is weak and workplace conflict is poorly managed, skills alone will not be enough,” she said.
She added that industrial relations should not be viewed solely as a mechanism for handling disciplinary cases, dismissals or Industrial Court proceedings.
Instead, it should play a wider role in building sustainable workplaces through stronger communication, trust, fairness and effective conflict management.
Saraswathy also highlighted the role of employers’ associations and HR professionals in strengthening industrial relations capabilities, pointing to the Certified Industrial Relations Associate programme initiated by the Malaysian Industrial Commercial Service Employers Association and supported by HR Edge Consulting Sdn Bhd.
She said collaboration between employers’ organisations, HR professionals, practitioners and industry was important in strengthening workplace capability.
She also urged CIRA graduates to continue developing their skills as workplace practices, technology, employee expectations and employment relations continue to evolve.
“Your CIRA certificate is not the finish line. It is your foundation,” she said.
Looking ahead, Saraswathy said workforce development would require collaboration between government, employers, employees, training providers, professional bodies and HR and industrial relations practitioners.
“A strong economy requires a skilled workforce. A skilled workforce requires good workplaces. And good workplaces require strong Industrial Relations,” she said.
She added that developing competent industrial relations professionals should be viewed as an investment in the future of Malaysia’s workplaces.
