In this episode of the SAP HR Mavericks podcast, our host Silvia Moreno Rodríguez, SAP Marketing Director, is joined by Pieter van der Wal, Global SAP MPS Director at SD Worx, to talk about how AI is changing payroll today and what it could mean for the future. They start with a finding from the SD Worx HR & Payroll Pulse: 60% of payroll processes are set to be fully automated by 2030.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why automation and AI are not the same thing: Many people confuse the two, and the difference matters. Pieter explains why you need the right baseline in place before you start experimenting with AI.
- What human in the loop should really look like: AI can analyse root causes and suggest fixes in seconds, but someone still has to approve them. Pieter shares what a meaningful review looks like when AI does the first pass.
- Why data is the foundation of everything: Most companies invest in payroll and integration to catch errors late in the process. Pieter explains where the investment should go instead and what touchless payroll means to him.
- Who is accountable when AI gets it wrong: As more AI components enter the payroll chain, the question of responsibility gets harder. Pieter explains how accountability is split between customer and supplier, and how that could evolve.
- How payroll roles will change: With a talent shortage in the SAP market, AI helps teams take on more volume with the same people. Pieter shares what this means for payroll teams and how to prepare.
