Tech giant swaps routine tasks for innovation, sparking wonder about AI’s role in work.

In a striking embrace of the future, IBM has begun transforming its human resources team by integrating AI agents, replacing around 200 roles with smart software to handle routine tasks. CEO Arvind Krishna shared that this shift, part of a broader automation push, streamlines processes like employment verification and employee transfers, once managed by HR staff. Far from shrinking, IBM’s workforce is growing, with new hires fueling creativity in software engineering, marketing, and sales, where human insight shines.

The move, highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, reflects a growing trend as companies lean on AI to simplify repetitive work. Chief HR Officer Nickle LaMoreaux emphasized that few roles will vanish entirely; instead, AI frees employees to tackle complex tasks requiring judgment and heart. This balance of technology and humanity sparks curiosity about how AI might reshape workplaces everywhere.

At its annual Think conference, IBM also unveiled new AI tools, empowering businesses to craft their own AI agents alongside platforms from Microsoft and Amazon. By blending automation with opportunity, IBM is not just cutting costs but investing in innovation, inviting the world to imagine a workplace where machines and people collaborate seamlessly.