The use of Responsible AI is also making candidate screening and talent management more equitable and transparent in Brunei’s government-linked firms

1n 2019, Darussalam Assets (DA), an investment company that owns and manages Brunei’s government-linked companies, adopted a Software-as-a-Service HR and talent management tool to nurture its extensive workforce of over 9,000 employees.

In integrating and streamlining its talent management operations, the firm also digitalized its recruitment, learning-and-development, and performance management operations, leading to increased productivity and business efficiency across its 30 subsidiaries and 14 businesses in the aviation, telecommunications, and power utilities industries.  

This year in January, the firm upgraded its existing HR and talent management tool from SAP with the latest business AI features. The upgrade comprises a range of AI innovations that are claimed to have been developed “using extensive industry-specific data and deep process knowledge, all created using Responsible AI practices.”

By automating processes such as generating job descriptions, parsing résumés, and providing near-instantaneous feedback on various HR processes, DA has shortened its hiring process from between three and four months to just three to four weeks. On top of automating routine HR tasks, the firm also uses AI to generate competency-based interview questions on-the-fly to make interview processes more equitable and skills-based, according to the firm’s Senior Manager, Human Capital Development, Salehin Basir: “We’ve seen improvements in how we manage our DA Group talent pool, and our recruitment cycle has been significantly reduced.”

More automation in the works

The firm’s AI journey is just beginning. It is already exploring deeper integration and use cases in its workflow, including:

  • Using AI to help manage differences within teams, and tailor management and performance strategies to individual needs and personalities, rather than rely on the traditional one-size-fits-all approach
  • Using AI to aid in HR decision-making by providing data-driven insights that may not be immediately apparent about personnel management and development, including succession planning.

Said the firm’s Senior Manager, Group Information Systems, Apurv Sharma: “We are excited about deepening our AI capabilities … to further transform our business. Ultimately, we want to leverage AI not just for automation, but to foster a culture of innovation that drives our leadership in the industries in which we operate.”

According to Verena Siow, President and Managing Director, SAP Southeast Asia: “We look forward to supporting DA accelerate to innovate, as it continues to improve its employee processes and experience and set new benchmarks in operational excellence.”