45 Used to check if the user's browser supports cookies. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used in order to detect spam and improve the website's security. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Stores the user's cookie consent state for the current domain Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Preserves users states across page requests. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie Control cookie used in connection to the website’s Content Delivery Network (CDN). Maximum Storage Duration: 140 days Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie stores a unique identifier that helps to recognise returning users across different sessions, enabling the website to maintain continuity of user preferences and interactions. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is responsible for managing the functionality of the registration wall, determining when and how users are prompted to register before accessing specific content or services. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie stores the user's unique identifier when logged in, allowing the site to personalize the user experience by associating actions and preferences with their account. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie securely stores an encrypted session value, which is essential for maintaining the logged-in state of users. It ensures that session data remains protected during the user's interaction with the site. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie maintains the logged-in session for users, ensuring they remain authenticated as they navigate through the site without needing to re-enter credentials on each page load. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie Used to contain user’s survey and quiz answers in Local Storage. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to contain user’s survey and quiz answers in Local Storage. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to contain user’s survey and quiz answers in Local Storage. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to contain user’s survey and quiz answers in Local Storage. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to contain user’s survey and quiz answers in Local Storage. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers which server-cluster is serving the visitor. This is used in context with load balancing, in order to optimize user experience. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie Used to count the number of sessions to the website, necessary for optimizing CMP product delivery. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker This cookie is a part of the services provided by Cloudflare - Including load-balancing, deliverance of website content and serving DNS connection for website operators. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of their website. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Stores the user's cookie consent state for the current domain Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Amazon's load balancer cookie for session stickiness - cookie set by Bombora, may be used to profile users Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Cache data for fast access - cookie set by Bombora, may be used to profile users Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Tracking user Opt-out - Bombora Maximum Storage Duration: 10 years Type: HTTP Cookie Prevents duplicate events from same impression - cookie set by Bombora, may be used to profile users Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie determines whether the browser accepts cookies. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is used to determine if the visitor has accepted the cookie consent box. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie 6 Enables cookie consent across multiple websites Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Used to implement forms on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to implement forms on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 6 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used to determine the optimal video quality based on the visitor's device and network settings. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Counts the total number of views for embedded visualizations. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker 45 Contains the expiry date for other cookies. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects data on the number of times a user has visited the website as well as dates for the first and most recent visit. Used by Google Analytics. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a timestamp with the exact time of when the user accessed the website. Used by Google Analytics to calculate the duration of a website visit. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a timestamp with the exact time of when the user leaves the website. Used by Google Analytics to calculate the duration of a website visit. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Used to throttle the speed of requests to the server. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Saves user-defined tracking parameters for use in Google Analytics. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on where the user came from, what search engine was used, what link was clicked and what search term was used. Used by Google Analytics. Maximum Storage Duration: 6 months Type: HTTP Cookie This cookie is used to assign specific visitors into segments, this segmentation is based on visitor behavior on the website - the segmentation can be used to target larger groups. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded with the purpose of generating reports for optimising the website content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by Google Analytics to throttle request rate Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded with the purpose of generating reports for optimising the website content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Identifies if the cookie data needs to be updated in the visitor's browser. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Used to recognise the visitor's browser upon reentry on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Sets a unique ID for the session. This allows the website to obtain data on visitor behaviour for statistical purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded with the purpose of generating reports for optimising the website content. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Sets a unique ID for the session. This allows the website to obtain data on visitor behaviour for statistical purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Determines when the visitor last visited the different subpages on the website, as well as sets a timestamp for when the session started. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Sets a unique ID for the session. This allows the website to obtain data on visitor behaviour for statistical purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage This cookie is set by Twitter - The cookie allows the visitor to share content from the website onto their Twitter profile. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers data on visitors' website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Determines when the visitor last visited the different subpages on the website, as well as sets a timestamp for when the session started. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as which pages have been read. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers statistical data on users' behaviour on the website. Used for internal analytics by the website operator. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Registers data on visitors' website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie 97 Detects how the user reached the website by registering their last URL-address. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Detects how the user reached the website by registering their last URL-address. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Used to track which users have shown interest in what job postings. The cookie ensures that the most relevant job postings are shown to the specific user. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Collects data on user behaviour and interaction in order to optimize the website and make advertisement on the website more relevant. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device. The ID is used for targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device. The ID is used for targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by Google DoubleClick to register and report the website user's actions after viewing or clicking one of the advertiser's ads with the purpose of measuring the efficacy of an ad and to present targeted ads to the user. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID that identifies a returning user's device. The ID is used for targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 6 months Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Tracks if the user has shown interest in specific products or events across multiple websites and detects how the user navigates between sites. This is used for measurement of advertisement efforts and facilitates payment of referral-fees between websites. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Collects data on visitor behaviour from multiple websites, in order to present more relevant advertisement - This also allows the website to limit the number of times that they are shown the same advertisement. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Used by DoubleClick to determine whether website advertisement has been properly displayed - This is done to make their marketing efforts more efficient. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Collects data on visitors' preferences and behaviour on the website - This information is used make content and advertisement more relevant to the specific visitor. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Used to send data to Google Analytics about the visitor's device and behavior. Tracks the visitor across devices and marketing channels. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie Used by the social networking service, LinkedIn, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Used by the social networking service, LinkedIn, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID that identifies the user's device upon return visits. Used for auto-populating forms and to validate if a certain contact is registered to an email group. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used to auto-populate forms and validate if a given contact has subscribed to an email group. The cookie is only set if the user allows tracking. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used in context with the implementation of content from other news sites. The cookie also allows for the third-party news site to gather user data on the current website. Maximum Storage Duration: 30 days Type: HTTP Cookie Used in context with the implementation of content from other news sites. The cookie also allows for the third-party news site to gather user data on the current website. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Registers data on visitors from multiple visits and on multiple websites. This information is used to measure the efficiency of advertisement on websites. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on user behaviour and interaction in order to optimize the website and make advertisement on the website more relevant. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data on the user's visits to the website, such as what pages have been loaded. The registered data is used for targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 13 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used by Facebook to deliver a series of advertisement products such as real time bidding from third party advertisers. Maximum Storage Duration: 3 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used by Google AdSense for experimenting with advertisement efficiency across websites using their services. Maximum Storage Duration: 3 months Type: HTTP Cookie Used to track visitors on multiple websites, in order to present relevant advertisement based on the visitor's preferences. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Used to implement audio-content from Spotify on the website. Can also be used to register user interaction and preferences in context with audio-content - This can serve statistics and marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Used to implement audio-content from Spotify on the website. Can also be used to register user interaction and preferences in context with audio-content - This can serve statistics and marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Registers data on the performance of the website’s embedded video-content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Registers data on the performance of the website’s embedded video-content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Collects data on user behaviour and interaction in order to optimize the website and make advertisement on the website more relevant. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker The cookie is used by Twitter.com in order to determine the number of visitors accessing the website through Twitter advertisement content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Collects data on user behaviour and interaction in order to optimize the website and make advertisement on the website more relevant. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Collects data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and which pages have been loaded, with the purpose of personalising and improving the Twitter service. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used in order to optimize the relevance of advertisement on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie Sets a unique ID for the visitor, that allows third party advertisers to target the visitor with relevant advertisement. This pairing service is provided by third party advertisement hubs, which facilitates real-time bidding for advertisers. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Collects data on visitors' preferences and behaviour on the website - This information is used make content and advertisement more relevant to the specific visitor. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used in context with the website’s pop-up questionnaires and messengering. The data is used for statistical or marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Necessary for the implementation and functionality of YouTube video-content on the website. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Tries to estimate the users' bandwidth on pages with integrated YouTube videos. Maximum Storage Duration: 180 days Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Registers a unique ID to keep statistics of what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used to track user’s interaction with embedded content. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: IndexedDB Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Used in context with Account-Based-Marketing (ABM). The cookie registers data such as IP-addresses, time spent on the website and page requests for the visit. This is used for retargeting of multiple users rooting from the same IP-addresses. ABM usually facilitates B2B marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: Pixel Tracker Randomise device ID - cookie set by Bombora that may help profile users Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Rotational filter - cookie set by Bombora that may help profile users Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTTP Cookie Used in context with Account-Based-Marketing (ABM). The cookie registers data such as IP-addresses, time spent on the website and page requests for the visit. This is used for retargeting of multiple users rooting from the same IP-addresses. ABM usually facilitates B2B marketing purposes. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Presents the user with relevant content and advertisement. The service is provided by third-party advertisement hubs, which facilitate real-time bidding for advertisers. Maximum Storage Duration: 7 days Type: HTTP Cookie Collects visitor data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded, with the purpose of displaying targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 1 day Type: HTTP Cookie Collects visitor data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded, with the purpose of displaying targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 2 years Type: HTTP Cookie Detects how the user reached the website by registering their last URL-address. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects data on visitors' preferences and behaviour on the website - This information is used make content and advertisement more relevant to the specific visitor. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Session Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Used by the social networking service, TikTok, for tracking the use of embedded services. Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Collects visitor data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and what pages have been loaded, with the purpose of displaying targeted ads. Maximum Storage Duration: 10 days Type: HTTP Cookie 9 Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: Persistent Type: HTML Local Storage Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 1 year Type: HTTP Cookie Pending Maximum Storage Duration: 400 days Type: HTTP Cookie 3 Your consent applies to the following domains: List of domains your consent applies to: Raconteur ✖ Future of Work Talent & Culture Technology Corporate Culture Employee Engagement HR Raconteur × Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness. Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness. Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness. Some of the data collected by this provider is for the purposes of personalization and measuring advertising effectiveness. Marketed by some vendors as virtual employees, new AI agents can complete tasks independently of human intervention. But implementing these bots will present novel challenges for HR leaders Major tech companies have announced plans to invest in the latest iteration of workplace AI. Google, IBM and Salesforce are among the firms planning to develop agentic AI, which is part of the so-called third wave of AI. Agentic AI uses highly sophisticated ‘AI agents’. These are workplace assistants that differ from AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, in that they can perform tasks with minimal human oversight. Last month, Microsoft updated its Copilot Studio to enable businesses to create ‘AI employees’, which are capable of completing more complex jobs, such as qualifying sales leads and handling client queries. According to Josh Bersin, the HR technology analyst, AI agents will soon be able to assist with talent acquisition, leadership coaching, employee onboarding and learning and development. Dayforce, Workday and Servicenow are among the HR software providers that have recently unveiled agentic AI products. The most advanced AI agents are currently used in recruitment. Last week, LinkedIn launched its Hiring Assistant, which is designed to automate large portions of the recruitment process. Meanwhile, fast-food chain Chipotle claims to have cut the time to hire in its restaurants by 75% using an AI agent developed by Paradox, a recruitment-software company. It is now possible for a candidate to apply for a job, be accepted and turn up on the first day without ever speaking to a human. Bersin quips: “People are coming to their first day of work asking to talk to Amelia. Well, there is no Amelia; Amelia is a bot.” But taking humans out of the equation entirely can be detrimental to businesses, according to Agata Mirowska, assistant professor of HR management and organisational behaviour at Neoma Business School. “If a company uses AI in the recruitment process, it’s already sending signals about how people are treated in the organisation. It may cause people to think twice about applying,” she warns. HR is always worried about AI devaluing people For Mirowska, the thought of an employee being hired without speaking to a person at the organisation is concerning. She explains: “An interview should be a two-way exchange. By not putting a human in that role, employers are potentially cutting down on the candidate’s ability to ask questions and get a feel for the culture.” ServiceNow, for instance, has announced AI solutions for IT, customer service, procurement and HR. But its senior people director, Katie Whitehouse, insists that AI will always “work alongside human employees” rather than replace them. “Agentic AI works like a multiplier for what human employees can accomplish, but humans must always be in the loop to provide oversight and set guardrails,” she says. Because AI agents can operate independently of human manipulation, Bersin speculates that employees will interact with them like colleagues. But the idea of AI being treated like a human worker in any sense has not been welcomed by all HR professionals. Earlier this year, Lattice, an HR software company, introduced a feature that would allow ‘virtual workers’ to be inserted into organisational flow charts, onboarded and assigned managers. The announcement was met with considerable pushback. “HR people have a very emotional reaction to AI agents,” Bersin explains. “What about the humans? HR is always worried about culture and ensuring employees feel valued. They’re worried about AI devaluing people.” This is a concern for Mirowska, who warns: “Once you go from defining AI as a tool, to defining it as an employee, teammate or collaborator, you’re implying it is capable of taking human jobs. This can lead to stress and insecurity in your workforce.” I worry whether companies are trying to go too far, too fast Constanze Backhaus, global CHRO at Teamviewer, a software company, agrees that AI should be viewed as a tool to complement human abilities, but must not be equated with human employees. “Part of a successful AI implementation is helping employees move through fears and concerns about AI replacing their jobs,” she says. Teamviewer is currently exploring the use of AI in multiple functions. Backhaus believes there are opportunities for the technology to be used in recruiting, workforce planning and employee engagement. But she cautions: “All these use cases come with their own benefits, risks and mitigating actions.” It is important that HR leaders weigh in on this technology as it develops. They will be responsible for helping to define best practices in the implementation of AI assistants, determine which roles they can best serve and ensure the content they’re trained on is accurate and up to date. According to Bersin: “Organisations are going to need a little army of people to take care of these things.” He adds that AI agents will ultimately enable HR to support more people and gain greater insight into employees’ concerns. While there are concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, HR staff should feel confident that the function can’t yet be entirely replaced by AI agents. “The main reason HR exists is to help the business grow, improve the employee experience, help people to develop their careers, train managers and deal with critical issues, such as harassment and poor behaviour. AI agents will help but they can’t do all those things,” Bersin explains. “It’s an amazing tool – but it’s just a tool.” Although AI agents can greatly benefit the HR function, Mirowska urges companies to implement the technology cautiously. “I worry whether companies are trying to go too far, too fast, without really thinking through the consequences for employees and the workplace experience,” she says. For example, many business leaders hope AI agents will be able to handle low-skilled work that is typically completed by more junior staff members. But Mirowska points out that these tasks help to prepare workers for more complicated work in the future. “We’re risking creating a gap in the workforce,” she says. Completing menial or mindless tasks also provides employees some respite from the more taxing elements of their roles. “People can’t constantly work at 110%,” Mirowska says. “While an AI-enabled workplace might sound good, it could contribute to the stress and burnout people face if people are with only the most challenging work.” She advises HR chiefs to assess the longer-term benefits of agentic AI, rather than rush to adopt the new technology. “HR leaders should approach AI agents in the same way they would any other HR initiative. Take a step back, look at it strategically and decide whether it fits into your strategy.” © Copyright 2025 Raconteur. All rights reserved.