What's changing is that people are far more focused on roles and outcomes than defining the post. An important part of HR work in the future will be in defining the new contracts of employment that the knowledge economy creates. Learning itself becomes part of the contract. Some HR organisations are 'rebinding' themselves as centres for corporate learning. The rise of 'elearning' delivered via the net raises the possibility of individuals not only taking responsibility for their own development but also of learning at their own pace and in their own learning style.
HR becomes the hub of that information collection.
Line managers can now see how the teams are growing and developing. It seems that the developing role of HR is to be more about facilitation than performing functions. In other words, HR professionals or professionals with HR skills may become the key knowledge managers of the future. Now it's more about who you are and what experiences you've had.