Each week, as SHRM’s executive in residence for AI+HI, I scour the media landscape to bring you expert summaries of the biggest AI headlines — and what they mean for you and your business.
1. How GenAI Could Change the Value of Expertise
What to Know:
Generative artificial intelligence is expected to impact 50 million jobs, automating some tasks and enhancing others. As AI takes over technical functions, employers may shift away from traditional skills-based hiring toward evaluating adaptability, problem-solving, and soft skills. Some argue this could reduce barriers to mobility, while others fear it may devalue expertise and credentials.
Why It Matters:
HR leaders must rethink hiring and talent development strategies as AI reshapes job qualifications. The emphasis on soft skills and adaptability means learning and development programs must evolve to help employees stay competitive. With credentials and expertise changing in value, companies need new ways to assess talent and workforce potential.
2. China’s New AI Agent Manus Sparks DeepSeek Comparisons
What to Know:
Manus AI, a newly launched Chinese AI agent, is generating attention for its autonomous capabilities. Unlike traditional chatbots, Manus is designed to independently execute tasks, such as sorting resumes, analyzing stock trends, and evaluating real estate data. Its cloud-based architecture enables users to run tasks without keeping their devices active. Some experts see Manus as a potential competitor to DeepSeek, another Chinese AI model. However, concerns over data security and privacy remain, particularly regarding where Manus stores its data and its potential ties to China.
Here’s what makes Manus truly revolutionary:
Complete task autonomy: When given a directive to create a report on climate change, it independently researches the topic, drafts content, generates visualizations, and compiles a comprehensive final document — all from a single prompt.
Multi-agent architecture: Operating as a sophisticated multi-agent system powered by several distinct models, Manus demonstrates how specialized AI components can work together to solve complex problems.
Real-time workflow visibility: Users can observe Manus working in real time as it navigates websites, processes information, and builds solutions — creating unprecedented transparency in AI operation.
Versatile capabilities: Whether it’s conducting correlation analyses of stocks with interactive visualizations or creating custom websites and comprehensive research documents, Manus handles tasks that previously required multiple specialized tools. The business implications are profound.
Why It Matters:
HR leaders should watch how AI agents like Manus reshape hiring and workforce analytics. If tools like this gain adoption, they could automate talent sourcing and financial modeling, impacting HR, finance, and strategic decision-making. However, privacy risks, compliance issues, and data security concerns mean companies must be cautious about integrating AI agents into sensitive operations.
3. OpenAI’s “PhD-Level” AI: What Does $20,000 a Month Get You?
What to Know:
OpenAI is launching premium AI agent plans, including a $20,000-per-month “PhD-level” AI for research, a $10,000 software developer AI, and a $2,000 assistant for knowledge workers. These AI models claim to handle complex research, data analysis, and coding with reasoning capabilities similar to those of Ph.D. students. OpenAI says these models excel in scientific, mathematical, and programming benchmarks, but concerns remain about their real-world accuracy.
Why It Matters:
For HR and business leaders, high-cost AI assistants signal a shift toward AI replacing or augmenting specialized knowledge work. While these models could boost efficiency in research and coding, their accuracy, reliability, and value compared to human experts remain uncertain. As AI adoption accelerates, HR will need strategies to integrate AI into knowledge work while ensuring critical thinking and oversight remain human-driven.
4. ServiceNow Acquires AI Agent Firm Moveworks for $2.85 Billion
What to Know:
ServiceNow has acquired Moveworks, an AI automation company, for $2.85 billion in cash and stock. The deal strengthens ServiceNow’s AI agent capabilities, integrating Moveworks’ enterprise search and AI assistant with ServiceNow’s process automation. Moveworks’ AI is widely used in HR, finance, and customer service, helping organizations automate tasks such as ticket resolution and knowledge retrieval.
Why It Matters:
This acquisition signals faster AI-driven workplace automation, impacting HR, IT, and customer service roles. AI agents are becoming central to workflow management, employee support, and enterprise search, meaning HR leaders must assess how AI assistants can streamline HR processes while ensuring ethical AI governance and workforce impact considerations.
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