As part of automation push, IBM replaces 200 HR roles with AI agents

In a bid to automate internal processes and cut down on routine tasks, IBM has started replacing a portion of its HR (human resource) staff with AI agents. The company’s CEO, Arvind Krishna, recently said that artificial intelligence has taken over the work of “a couple hundred” HR employees. This move also reflects a trend where companies these days are relying more on AI to streamline internal processes and, in turn, reducing their dependency on manual tasks.

While IBM hasn’t shared a specific timeline, reports suggest around 200 roles have already been phased out.

However, the reduction in HR jobs doesn’t mean the company is downsizing overall. In fact, IBM’s total workforce has grown, with more hiring happening in departments like software engineering, marketing, and sales — areas where human input, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills remain crucial.

Arvind Krishna, while speaking to a media house, explained that automating certain workflows has helped free up resources to invest elsewhere. “While we have done a huge amount of work inside IBM on leveraging AI and automation on certain enterprise workflows, our total employment has actually gone up, because what it does is it gives you more investment to put into other areas,” he said.

The use of AI agents is catching on fast across the tech world. While there hasn’t been a widespread wave of job cuts linked to AI just yet, some companies are pausing hiring while they figure out how to best use the technology.