Agentic AI and the Future of Hiring: Key Takeaways from Workday SKO

The conversations at Workday’s FY26 SKO in Las Vegas made one thing evident: AI is no longer just a tool for optimization—it is becoming an autonomous force reshaping the enterprise.

While artificial intelligence has been embedded in HR technology for years, the discussion has evolved. The focus is shifting from AI as a support mechanism to AI as an independent agent capable of executing tasks, making decisions, and orchestrating workflows.

At the center of this transformation is Agentic AI, a departure from traditional automation. Rather than augmenting human effort, Agentic AI fundamentally redefines roles, workflows, and decision-making structures.

The Shifting Landscape of Hiring

Talent acquisition has long been characterized by inefficiencies. Recruiters manage administrative burdens, hiring managers navigate approval bottlenecks, and candidates expect seamless, personalized experiences that many organizations struggle to deliver. AI-powered automation has addressed some of these pain points. Agentic AI introduces a different paradigm.

By deploying autonomous AI agents, organizations can move beyond task automation to true orchestration of the hiring process. These agents do not wait for human input, rather they can:

• Identify what needs to be done
• Make decisions based on real-time data
• Execute tasks across multiple systems
• Learn and adapt over time

This represents a shift from AI as a passive assistant to AI as an active agent capable of managing hiring workflows with reduced human intervention. The implications are significant. Instead of recruiters focusing on process execution, their roles can evolve to emphasize strategy, relationship-building, and candidate engagement. Hiring managers can spend less time navigating approvals and more time making informed talent decisions.

Challenges of Scaling Agentic AI

The adoption of Agentic AI presents challenges that organizations must address to ensure effective deployments. 

Key considerations include:

• Accountability: As AI agents take on decision-making responsibilities, defining ownership and oversight becomes critical.
• Transparency: Organizations must establish mechanisms for tracking and auditing AI-driven actions to maintain compliance and trust.
• Integration: Many HR technology ecosystems remain fragmented, raising questions about how AI agents will operate across disconnected systems.
• Ethical Considerations: AI-driven decision-making introduces risks related to bias, fairness, and regulatory compliance.
• Governance: The spread of AI agents requires organizations to establish frameworks for monitoring their scope, actions, and impact.

Striking the right balance between innovation and control will determine the success of Agentic AI adoption.

Workday’s Vision: The Agent System of Record

A key takeaway from Workday’s SKO was its strategic commitment to an enterprise-wide AI, with the Agent System of Record at the core. This concept is designed to provide organizations with visibility, governance, and control over autonomous AI agents as they become embedded in business operations.

Just as Workday redefined how companies manage financial and workforce data, the Agent System of Record will serve as the foundation for managing, deploying, orchestrating, and measuring AI-driven agents across the enterprise.

Closing Thoughts

AI agents represent a new category of enterprise resource. Organizations must manage, track, and optimize to fully realize its value. As businesses integrate these autonomous systems, governance and strategic oversight will be essential.

Workday has positioned itself at the center of this transformation, envisioning a future where AI agents operate alongside human employees and financial systems to drive business outcomes. This shift is not just about automation—it is about fundamentally redefining how work gets done. Organizations that embrace this new model will be better equipped to navigate the evolving AI landscape and unlock new levels of efficiency, decision-making, and innovation.