Human Resources: The Era of Digital Reductionism?

Human Resources: The Era of Digital Reductionism?

Author: Gareth King October 11, 2025 Duration: 33:01

It promised to make things more efficient, objective, and data-driven, but has the internet instead turned a human-centric discipline into an automated, impersonal system with new ethical and privacy concerns?

To help us explore how people and technology work together, we’re joined by Dr Justine Ferrer, a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management in the Deakin Business School.

⁠http://www.linkedin.com/in/justineferrer⁠

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Justine joins us to discuss the evolving role of human resources in the age of technology, exploring the impact of automation and AI on HR practices, the balance between efficiency and the human touch, and the ethical implications of data privacy and surveillance in the workplace.

We also look at the skills needed for future HR professionals, and the potential for AI to enhance rather than replace human roles in HR.

00:00 The Impact of Technology on Human Resources

02:57 The Shift Towards Strategic HR Management

06:00 Balancing Automation and Human Touch

08:47 Surveillance and Employee Trust

11:53 Data Privacy and Security Challenges

14:48 The Role of Small Businesses in HR Tech

17:57 AI, Bias, and the Future of Hiring

20:55 Skills for the Future of HR

23:43 The Ethical Framework for AI in HR

26:50 The Future of Human Resources


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
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