AI Agents in HR: Real-World Examples Driving Efficiency and Experience

by Srikant Chellappa Jul 8,2025
Engagedly
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The use of artificial intelligence in HR is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a fast-growing reality. Valued at USD 3.25 billion in 2023, the global AI in HR market is projected to grow at a staggering 24.8% CAGR between 2024 and 2030. This explosive growth reflects how rapidly organizations are turning to AI to transform their HR operations.

But what exactly are AI agents in HR? Think of them as intelligent digital coworkers—smart, goal-oriented assistants that handle everything from onboarding and performance management to employee engagement and compliance. These tools don’t just automate tasks—they elevate the HR function with speed, consistency, and precision.

So, how are AI agents really making an impact in the workplace? In this blog, we’ll explore real-world tools and use cases that show how AI is actively enhancing efficiency, improving the employee experience, and supporting strategic HR decision-making.

What Are AI Agents in HR?

AI agents in HR are intelligent digital tools powered by artificial intelligence, designed to streamline, automate, and optimize a wide range of everyday HR functions. Think of them as virtual HR team members that work around the clock to enhance both efficiency and employee experience.

These AI agents are capable of handling tasks across several key areas, including:

  • Payroll Management
  • Performance Management
  • Compliance and Policy Adherence
  • Employee Experience & Engagement
  • Talent Acquisition & Recruitment
  • Learning and Development (L&D)


Unlike traditional HR tools, AI agents use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) to understand user inputs, draw insights from large datasets, and perform tasks with minimal human intervention.

Take Marissa AI by Engagedly, for example. It analyzes real-time data from 360-degree feedback surveys to deliver personalized insights and development nudges to both employees and HR teams—helping them make smarter, data-driven decisions quickly.

In essence, AI agents don’t just support HR—they elevate it by combining speed, personalization, and intelligence.

Benefits of Employing AI Agents in HR

Employees using traditional self-service technologies have to go through preset menus or FAQs because they only provide static responses. AI agents are transforming the way HR teams operate by introducing an agile, goal-oriented strategy.

Here, we have listed some of the top real-life benefits of AI agents in HR.

1. Enhanced Talent Acquisition

From reviewing resumes to drafting offer packages, AI agents can expedite nearly every step of the talent acquisition process. AI agents can help with candidate evaluation, set up interviews, sift through enormous application pools, and interact with prospects.

A prime example is Paradox, an AI-powered hiring assistant utilized by businesses such as Unilever and McDonald’s.

Paradox’s conversational AI “Olivia” interacts with candidates, responds to their inquiries, and pre-screens resumes in real-time, relieving recruiters of the task of manually going through dozens of applications.

It has reduced time-to-hire by 75% at Uniliver. Thereby, boosting efficiency and saving time.

2. Personalized Employee Experience

According to a KPMG poll, 85% of participants said that the organization’s most essential HR skill is employee experience and engagement.

AI agents can personalize employee engagement and development initiatives. For instance, Marissa AI can provide customized nudges, like recommending training courses, chances for professional advancement, or health advice, that speak to each employee’s particular requirements.

Similarly, Walmart employs AI to help staff members select the best healthcare providers for their needs.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making

As per a Deloitte poll, 70% of businesses said they used data analytics to help with HR decision-making.

AI’s capacity to reveal predictive insights gives HR directors the ability to take proactive, calculated actions. AI agents can examine past data to find trends that can point to attrition concerns or talent shortages in teams.

By identifying these early indicators, HR can reduce the expensive effects of turnover by putting in place focused retention plans or upskilling initiatives.

Additionally, AI agents can help with workforce planning by evaluating future talent requirements based on corporate growth projections.

4. Better Compliance & Bias Reduction

AI reduces unconscious biases in hiring by using structured data to improve fairness and compliance.

For instance, HireVue promotes diversity and inclusion by using structured interview algorithms that concentrate on candidate skills rather than personal opinions. It also results in a 50% decrease in cost per interview.

Johnson & Johnson used Textio, an AI-powered writing tool, to find unintentional bias in their job postings. When they noticed that many of their job posts had a masculine slant, they made some AI-driven changes that resulted in a 9% increase in the number of female candidates.

Additionally, AI-generated decision pathways produce visible audit trails, ensuring that HR procedures comply with legal requirements such as GDPR and EEOC. In addition to lowering legal concerns, this transparency increases employee and candidate trust.

5. Simplified Onboarding & Training

According to Forbes, an effective onboarding procedure can boost retention by up to 82%.

AI-driven onboarding tools like Talla automate common questions about policies and system access to streamline the recruitment experience.

These chatbots lessen reliance on HR staff and speed up the onboarding procedure by offering 24/7, instant responses.

6. Improved Employee Retention

According to a Gallup poll, 85% of workers are not engaged at work. Given that 63% of employees would think about quitting their jobs within two years if they weren’t succeeding professionally.

Glint’s AI pulse surveys and other AI technologies track employee engagement levels in real time. AI detects early indicators of disengagement in teams by examining behavioral data and survey responses.

HR and managers can then take targeted actions to address issues proactively, including:

  • Recognition programs
  • Workload diversification
  • Career conversations

5 Real-World AI Agent Examples in HR

While there are numerous justifications for utilizing HR AI technologies, the most effective ones simplify hiring managers’ and HR assistants’ departmental procedures.

Let’s look at some of the real-world AI agent examples transforming the HR domain!

1. Engagedly’s Marissa™ AI – The Ultimate HR Super-Agent

1. Engagedly’s Marissa AI

Marissa™ AI is a smart, AI-powered HR assistant that automates routine tasks and addresses key HR challenges across:

  • Employee engagement – gathering and summarizing pulse surveys, sentiment, and feedback
  • Performance management – providing real‑time feedback, 360° review synthesis, and unbiased insights
  • Feedback delivery – generating objective feedback aligned with the SBI framework
  • Talent acquisition & description creation – crafting tailored job, survey, training-course and IDP descriptions

🔍 Key Use Cases

  1. Personalized Feedback (SBI-ready)
    Marissa crafts objective, balanced feedback using the Situation‑Behavior‑Impact model—ensuring clarity and fairness.
  2. Instant Recognition Templates
    Input a few details and get personalized praise instantly to lift team morale.
  3. Automated 360° Summaries & Nudges
    Marissa consolidates 360-degree feedback into actionable summaries and reminds managers proactively.
  4. Smart Development Plans (IDPs + Milestones)
    Generate customized Individual Development Plans with clear milestones; paired with learning recs to match career aspirations.
  5. Compelling Course & Job Descriptions
    Produce engaging summaries for training, surveys, jobs, and IDPs in seconds to streamline rollout and boost adoption.
  6. Unified AI-Powered Agentic Framework
    Since March 11, 2025, Marissa acts as a “Super Agent” within Engagedly’s Agentic AI framework—delegating requests (e.g., career advice, goal-setting, talent analytics) to specialist AI agents behind the scenes

2. IBM Watson in HR

IBM Watson in HR

IBM incorporates AI into its HR operations to give its employees better competence. For example, Watson, an AI virtual assistant, provides individualized responses and speeds up response times to IBM employees’ inquiries regarding everything from technical support to business policy.

Use Cases

  • Talent Acquisition: IBM Watsonx HR agents can draft offer bundles, find the best candidates, set up interviews, and issue job requisitions. Talent acquisition teams can make better hiring decisions when they have access to AI.
  • Employee Onboarding: Watsonx HR Agents can increase employee engagement. In addition to offering personalized advice, including pre-employment screenings, learning recommendations, onboarding profile creation, and IT request generation, these agents respond in real time to FAQs by employees.
  • Employee Satisfaction: Automate HR processes and streamline information availability. Watsonx HR Agents with generative AI can manage payroll, time off, in addition to administering benefits, including healthcare, retirement plans, and possibilities for professional advancement.

3. Talla AI Chatbot

Talla AI-powered chatbot uses machine learning to specialize in HR knowledge management. The platform is very flexible to current processes due to its smooth integration with Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.

Use Cases

  • HR Helpdesk Automation: Talla AI Chatbot streamlines HR support by addressing employee questions about leave policies or payroll issues.
  • Benefits Queries: Talla provides accurate, up-to-date information on health insurance, retirement plans, or other benefits
  • Onboarding Assistance: Talla guides new hires through onboarding processes. It answers common questions about company policies and training schedules.
  • Compliance Information: The chatbot delivers essential compliance updates and guidelines to help employees adhere to company and regulatory standards.

4. HireVue AI Interviews

HireVue

With HireVue AI interviews, candidates record video answers to pre-formulated questions. AI then evaluates the candidates’ skills and attributes. To provide a score and offer feedback, the AI analyzes both spoken and nonspoken indicators, such as

  • Body language
  • Facial expressions
  • Speech patterns

Investment banks like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and multinational companies like Unilever, Vodafone, and  Delta Air Lines have used HireVue in their recruitment processes.

ICON, a multinational healthcare company, increased candidate satisfaction by 17% by employing HireVue’s AI interviews. Additionally, HireVue’s AI interviews ensured a more gender-diverse workforce for Unilever.

Use Cases

  • Video Interviewing: Makes it possible for HR teams to perform live and on-demand video interviews. This increases the flexibility and accessibility of the hiring process.
  • AI-Driven Evaluations: Make use of sophisticated algorithms to gauge applicants’ talents and capabilities beyond their resumes.
  • Integration Competencies: Streamlines hiring procedures by integrating easily with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and other HR technologies.

5. Glint’s AI-Powered Surveys

Microsoft Viva Glint, formerly known as Glint’s AI-powered surveys, is a tool for measuring workplace culture and engagement.

It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate survey data and give businesses useful information about employee satisfaction and performance patterns.

source

Use Cases

  • Teams Integration: Improve notifications and nudge capabilities by facilitating simple communications in the day-to-day flow of work
  • 360 Feedback: Provide employees with a more thorough understanding of their talents and areas for improvement from a variety of perspectives, resulting in improvements to both personal and business performance.
  • Survey Tool: Businesses can utilize Viva Glint’s customisable questionnaires to get detailed input on diversity and inclusion, staff involvement, onboarding, and exit procedures.

Transformative Power of AI Agents in HR

Answering FAQs by employees, including “How do I check my PTO balance?” “What is the procedure for leave approval?” or “What wellness plans are offered to employees?” is an instance where HR teams invest a significant amount of effort. 

AI agents can swiftly address these queries and contribute to effective workplace communication. May it be strategic decision-making or enhancing employee experience, AI agents are culminating in a smart, data-centric approach in HR.

Learn how companies can take control of their employee management journeys using Engagedly’s agentic approach. The intelligent elements of Engagedly, such as the MarissaTM AI assistant, are powered by this architecture. It makes HR operations faster, smarter, and accurate!

Don’t just take our word for it—explore the full suite of Engagedly’s talent management products!

FAQs

How are AI agents used in the recruitment process?

AI agents expedite the hiring process by automating resume screening, candidate outreach, and interview scheduling. Additionally, they use data analysis to find the top talent more quickly.

Can AI agents help with employee onboarding?

Yes, AI agents like Talla automate onboarding, answer FAQs, and deliver policy documents, creating a smooth and consistent new hire experience.

What are some real-world companies using AI in HR?

Firms like Walmart, IBM, Unilever, and LinkedIn use AI in various HR operations.

What benefits do AI agents bring to HR teams?

AI agents offer several key benefits:

  • Reduced time-to-hire
  • Personalized employee development
  • Real-time engagement monitoring
  • Bias-free hiring decisions
  • Streamlined onboarding
  • Improved compliance and audit readiness
  • Enhanced productivity by reducing manual HR tasks

What’s the future of AI in HR?

The AI in HR market is growing rapidly (projected 24.8% CAGR from 2024 to 2030). As AI agents become more sophisticated, they’ll increasingly shape HR into a data-driven, employee-first function—enhancing everything from recruitment to retention.

How do AI agents differ from traditional HR chatbots?

AI agents use advanced machine learning and natural language understanding to respond dynamically, whereas traditional chatbots often rely on static rules and scripted responses.

Do AI agents need training before deployment?

Yes, AI agents typically need to be trained on company-specific data, HR policies, and workflows to ensure relevance and accuracy.

Can AI agents be integrated with existing HR tools like SAP or Workday?

Many AI HR solutions offer APIs or pre-built integrations for popular HRIS, ATS, and LMS platforms, allowing for seamless workflows.

Author
Srikant Chellappa
CEO & Co-Founder of Engagedly

Srikant Chellappa is the Co-Founder and CEO at Engagedly and is a passionate entrepreneur and people leader. He is an author, producer/director of 6 feature films, a music album with his band Manchester Underground, and is the host of The People Strategy Leaders Podcast.

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