Defining Agentic AI
for HR
Everyone is talking about agentic AI – but what does that really mean for HR?
If you’ve been following conversations about AI lately, you’ve probably noticed a new buzzword: Agentic AI (or AI agents). Everyone seems to be talking about it—but what exactly does it mean, and why should HR leaders care?
September 24, 2025
By Chris Harvey
What Is an AI Agent?
At its simplest, an AI agent is an autonomous or semi-autonomous system designed to take in information, make decisions, and act toward a goal—often without needing step-by-step human instructions.
- Sense: The agent gathers signals from data, user input, or its environment.
- Reason: It interprets the information, applying rules, context, or previous learning.
- Act: It executes a task—drafting text, updating a system, scheduling a workflow, or even nudging an employee.
This sense → reason → act cycle makes AI agents different from traditional automation or chatbots.
Traditional AI is typically prompted by a user’s request—think of an AI chatbot that replies with a rich response based on consolidating and interpreting existing information. Agentic AI, however, is much more complex and potentially more useful than what most HRIS solutions deliver today. The AI landscape is evolving quickly, and Agentic AI is the goal.
Why Does This Matter in HR?
HR is filled with administrative, high-volume tasks that still require a human touch. AI agents can:
- Automate workflows like onboarding, offboarding, or handling policy requests.
- Coach managers with timely nudges on recognition, feedback, or 1:1 check-ins.
- Guide employees through career paths, skill development, or benefits enrollment.
- Assist HR teams by surfacing insights, drafting performance notes, or scheduling meetings.
Imagine an HR agent that scans employee feedback, analyzes engagement risks, then automatically recommends training or nudges a manager to check in. That’s agentic AI at work.
Examples Outside HR
If you’ve ever used Copilot in Microsoft 365 to draft an email, or GitHub Copilot to generate code, you’ve seen AI agents in action. They don’t just answer a question—they make proactive suggestions on improving emails, Word documents, etc., and act on your behalf to move work forward.
HR Tech Vendors Using AI Agents Today
Several HR technology providers are already embedding agentic AI into their platforms:
- ServiceNow HR Service Delivery: Employs agents to handle employee requests, route tickets, and automate approvals, reducing manual HR workload.
- Workday: Rolling out AI agents that draft job descriptions, recommend career moves, and assist with workforce planning.
- Eightfold AI: Uses talent intelligence agents to map skills, recommend internal mobility moves, and build succession pipelines.
- Oracle Cloud HCM: Developing “digital assistants” that function as agents to guide employees through transactions like leave requests or onboarding.
Final Thoughts
AI agents are not here to replace HR professionals—they’re here to augment them. By taking on repetitive or time-sensitive tasks, agents free HR leaders to focus on what really matters: building culture, engaging employees, and shaping the workforce of the future.
The truth is, Agentic AI is still in its early stages, but it’s moving fast. As Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, notes:
“You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.”
The organizations that lean in early will be the ones that build HR functions that are not just efficient, but adaptive and proactive.
HR Technology Advice is helping HR Leaders prepare for AI for HR. Read more about the State of HRIS AI: The Three Stages of AI Strategy
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