Agentic AI Was Everywhere at HR Tech 2025, But What Did It Really Mean?

At HR Tech 2025, Agentic AI dominated the conversation, from booth displays to the dedicated AI Playground. Yet many vendors struggled to define what Agentic AI actually meant or how it delivered measurable business value. The result was mixed reactions from attendees, reminding us that while AI is powerful in recruiting and HR tech, clarity and outcomes matter most.

What’s Inside

• Observations from the HR Tech expo floor
• Why Agentic AI was everywhere but often undefined
• The risks of leading with hype instead of outcomes
• Real ways AI adds value in recruiting and HR tech
• Key takeaways for vendors and HR leaders alike

Walking the floor at this year’s HR Tech conference, one theme was impossible to miss: Agentic AI. It was everywhere. In booth signage, product demos, and the conversations echoing through the expo hall, AI was the star of the show. In fact, the event even featured a dedicated AI Playground, showcasing dozens of vendors eager to plant their flag as early leaders.

And yet, for all the noise, something was missing. While nearly every company claimed an “AI advantage,” few could clearly articulate what that meant in terms of business value. Attendees whispered that the term itself had become so overused, it bordered on meaningless. One visitor even joked that it was refreshing to finally meet a vendor who didn’t lead with AI.

The Race to Be First

This rush to be “first” with Agentic AI felt like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it signals the incredible potential of AI in recruiting and HR technology. On the other, it risks alienating HR leaders who are seeking practical, outcomes-based solutions rather than buzzwords.

When every booth starts to sound the same, the message loses power. HR buyers don’t want to hear that AI is present. They want to know why it matters, how it fits into their workflows, and most importantly, what measurable improvements it can deliver.

AI Still Has Real Value

Despite the hype, it’s important to remember that AI truly does bring transformative value to recruiting and HR technology. From improving candidate matching and reducing time-to-hire, to automating administrative tasks and creating fairer, data-informed processes, AI has proven applications. The challenge now is moving from high-level promises to tangible, clearly explained outcomes.

The Takeaway

This year’s HR Tech reminded us of something critical: technology must serve people, not the other way around. Agentic AI may very well be the future of HR tech, but unless vendors can move beyond vague claims and show concrete business value, the message risks falling flat.

For practitioners and providers alike, the opportunity is not to be the loudest voice in the room, but the clearest.

About HiringThing

HiringThing is a modern recruiting and employee onboarding platform as a service that creates seamless talent experiences. Our white label solutions and open API enable HR technology businesses to offer hiring and onboarding to their clients. Approachable and adaptable, the platform empowers anyone, anywhere to build their dream team.