Agentic AI Will Supercharge HR
At the HR Tech 2025 conference, analysts and business leaders underscored a pivotal message: HR is not only in control of the AI transformation but is also the linchpin for its success.
As CEOs increasingly view AI as a driver of revenue growth rather than just a cost-cutting tool, HR must rise to the challenge by tying workforce planning and development directly to business outcomes. Building and maintaining organizational agility will only become more important, and HR can pave the way by collaborating with Finance and IT to orchestrate seamless processes.
Key Takeaways
- HR is positioned as the driver of AI transformation, linking workforce strategy directly to business outcomes while ensuring agility through cross-functional collaboration.
- Agentic AI promises to free HR from transactional tasks, but success depends on redesigning roles, reskilling employees, and aligning AI with culture, talent, and business models.
- The future of work hinges on HR unifying with Finance and IT to integrate AI responsibly, empower “superworkers,” and keep the human element at the center of transformation.
The Rise of Agentic HR: Where AI Meets Strategy
The top recurring theme at the conference was the promise of agentic AI to transform the HR operating model. AI agents act as digital assistants, managing tasks like answering employee questions, automating transactions, and coordinating complex workflows. By streamlining processes such as scheduling and benefits management, these tools free HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives.
Adopting agentic AI will require more than technology — it demands a fresh perspective on aligning workforce planning with business strategy. Organizations must redesign roles, reskill employees, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure AI solutions support defined outcomes.
“Resist the urge we all have, particularly at a conference like this, of FOMO,” cautioned Nickle LaMoreaux, Senior Vice President and CHRO at IBM. “There is no such thing as a best practice when it comes to agentic or generative AI. What matters is, does that AI support your business model? Does it support your talent model? And does it support the culture of your company?”
HR as the Conduit of Change
The conference also made it clear that organizations need to shift the way they think about change. Rather than a series of events that need to be managed, change is and will be constant. To thrive in this era of continuous transformation, HR must prioritize building adaptability and resilience.
Industry analyst Josh Bersin predicts the advent of the “superworker,” as the promise of AI to enhance individual productivity becomes more real. By automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent assistance, AI enables employees to focus on higher-value work. This transformation is not about replacing jobs but about scaling and empowering the workforce.
Of course, superworkers will require supermanagers. This means rethinking traditional approaches to career coaching and learning. “If there's anything that's going to hold you back in AI transformation, it's not going to be the technology,” Bersin said. “It's going to be how quickly and how adeptly are you able to move your organization itself into these new roles and define them.”
From Silos to Synergy: Unifying HR, Finance, and IT
In the era of AI-driven transformation, collaboration between HR, Finance, and IT is no longer optional — it’s essential.
As Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, explained, “The endgame for AI is workforce planning. I can't do workforce planning without knowing my budget, without understanding where I'm heading financially, without understanding how much the resources are costing. Planning and finances are going hand in hand, and those technologies are going to be combined.”
Similarly, collaboration with IT is critical to ensure that AI technologies are scalable, secure, and seamlessly integrated into existing systems. HR’s ability to partner with IT ensures that AI tools are implemented effectively and responsibly, fostering trust and adoption across the organization.
What’s Next for HR in the AI Era?
HR holds the key to how successfully an organization embraces AI, serving as the driving force behind aligning technology with people, processes, and business goals. And the time for action is now.
Three ways you can move forward on your AI-HR journey:
- Start by redefining roles and processes to enhance organizational agility, ensuring that AI adoption supports both business goals and workforce needs.
- Build partnerships with Finance and IT to integrate AI solutions that are scalable, ethical, and cost-effective.
- Focus on reskilling employees and fostering a culture of innovation, where human expertise and AI capabilities work in harmony.
Most importantly, keep the human element at the center of every decision. The future of work is here, and HR has the unique opportunity to lead this transformation — one that empowers employees, strengthens organizations, and redefines what’s possible.
Learn More: AI in HR: From Efficiency to Employee Engagement
HR Tools Built With Employees in Mind
Recruit and retain talent by shaping an environment that makes employees feel valued and engaged. With HR tools built with employees in mind, you can equip your employees to be more self-sufficient and gain valuable insights into what you can automate and where you can strategically focus your resources. You can deliver the experience your employees need to find meaning in their work, and you'll continue improving efficiency.
Related
AI Expense Management: Automate, Simplify, Empower
