Understanding Agents

AI for Human Resources

Chris Klaus

Senior AI Architect, Chalice AI

Imagine this

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An employee asks:

"How many days of parental leave do I get as a part-time employee?"

Without an agent:

  • Employee searches the intranet, finds nothing clear
  • Emails HR, waits 2 days for a reply

With an HR Policy Agent:

  • Employee asks the agent directly
  • Gets an accurate answer in seconds, sourced from the official handbook
  • Complex cases are escalated to HR automatically
AI for Human Resources

From prompts to agents

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Questions HR gets every week:

  • "What's our remote work policy?"

  • "How many days of parental leave?"

  • "Where do I find benefits info?"

  • "Does this apply to remote employees?"

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The HR dilemma:

  • Documentation alone → frustration

  • Manual answers → workload grows

  • Answers drift over time

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This is where AI agents become useful

AI for Human Resources

What is an agent?

Agent: a persistent assistant designed for a specific, recurring task

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Prompts Agents
Like giving someone directions each time Like hiring a guide who knows the route
Each interaction starts fresh Persistent across interactions
You provide context every time You supply instructions once
Ask a question and review the response Instructions shape responses automatically
No memory between conversations Grounded in approved documents
Requires restating rules each time Behaves consistently based on instructions
AI for Human Resources

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AI for Human Resources

Consistency is critical

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Agents aren't more powerful than prompts - they're more consistent and scoped

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Consistency becomes critical when:

  • Multiple people need the same type of help

  • Responses must align with official policies

  • Mistakes could create confusion or risk

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AI for Human Resources

Agent responsibilities

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Designing agents requires:

  • Clear instructions

  • Defined boundaries

  • Trusted sources

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A prompt is a conversation.

An agent is a service desk.

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AI for Human Resources

Let's practice!

AI for Human Resources

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