Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly benefiting businesses, particularly in the HR field through chatbot technology.
The use of chatbots is not new. In recent years, this technology has been widely used on consumer service platforms.
However, its use in HR is a new breakthrough for businesses. Conventional HR functions can be quickly addressed through this technology.
Available in software form, Mekari Talenta has several recommendations for HR chatbot software on the market. Here are some explanations.
What Is HR Chatbots?
HR chatbots are programs designed to simulate interactions between companies and employees or job candidates.
By combining AI and machine learning technologies such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), HR chatbots can understand and translate human language immersively.
HR chatbots allow users to quickly access various HR needs and basic functions using only a chat application, including:
- Recruitment
- Employee onboarding
- HR help desk, including leave requests, compensation information, and payroll information
- Performance management functions, including employee performance assessments
- Employee data analysis functions, from turnover rate to job information
In practice, AI-powered HR chatbots are connected to existing HR systems through HRIS software.
When users input questions or requests through the chatbot, the system retrieves and reads data based on the existing HR system.
One example is Mekari Talenta’s HR Helpdesk, which is integrated with other features.
Why Are HR Chatbots Important in Today’s Business Environment?
According to research conducted by Korn Ferry, the primary focus of HR is no longer just on administrative tasks but on strategic ones.
The main focus of HR today is people-oriented strategies, such as retaining and attracting employees, developing employee potential, and organizational transformation.
Meanwhile, administrative HR functions are repetitive and time-consuming tasks that distract from HR’s current focus.
This is where HR chatbots play a role by optimizing HR’s administrative functions to be much more efficient in terms of both time and cost.
This is evidenced by Engagedly survey, where 65% of HR professionals felt aided by AI technologies like chatbots because they increase HR productivity and efficiency.
Moreover, according to McKinsey, 70% of companies will have adopted AI technology in at least one HR function by 2024.
Another reason HR chatbots are important in today’s business ecosystem is their market potential, which is predicted to grow significantly by 2030.
In other words, the demand for this program will also increase in the future.
HR chatbots have a significant positive impact on HR activities, including the following:
- Enhancing the scale and administrative access of HR for employees. HR chatbots can operate 24/7 from anywhere.
- Reducing time-to-hire in recruitment processes. Chatbots make recruitment more effective.
- Providing a better experience for candidates during the recruitment process, enhancing the company’s image.
- Improving the productivity of HR administrative functions. According to the Boston Consulting Group, HR chatbots can reduce approval time by 40%.
- Creating a seamless and efficient experience that enhances employee satisfaction and engagement. HR chatbots offer a human-like, efficient experience, breaking down bureaucratic barriers.
For example, HR chatbots can handle tasks such as answering employee administration questions, processing leave requests, scheduling interviews, and accessing compensation information.
Best HR Chatbot Software on the Market
After understanding the importance of HR chatbots, here are some top HR chatbot recommendations currently available.
Phia
Phia is an HR chatbot from HCM software PeopleHum, capable of responding to inquiries and handling requests based on the most relevant data schema.
Key Features:
- Integration with Microsoft Teams and Slack. Phia can read various documents published by the company through Teams.
- In Slack, it can monitor task progress, conduct surveys, and find information about other employees for collaboration.
2. Leena.ai
Leena.ai is a chatbot capable of meeting the needs of various departments, from finance to HR, accessing a wide range of data.
Key Features:
- Supports multiple languages, including Indonesian.
- Customizable to fit specific needs and functions.
- Ticketing system for monitoring and handling more complex requests and inquiries.
3. Humanly
This chatbot focuses on one HR function: recruitment. It integrates with ATS, screens candidates, schedules interviews, assists with interviews, and analyzes candidate data.
Key Features:
- Can analyze existing interviews and perform personalized screening processes based on job roles and experiences.
4. Eightfold
Eightfold focuses on workforce management, particularly for large-scale multinational companies.
Key Features:
- Uses deep learning to identify workforce potential, providing comprehensive insights to users. This includes finding potential vendors, advising on employee career plans, and offering strategic workforce recommendations.
5. Paradox
Like Humanly, Paradox focuses on recruitment functions, from screening to onboarding.
Key Features:
- Paradox’s persona, Olivia, provides an immersive experience with conversational language and emojis.
- Personalized screening to match candidates with job roles based on their background and position applied for.
6. AskHR
This virtual assistant is easy to use and addresses various HR administrative needs 24/7.
Key Features:
- Integrates with various work management software like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Amazon Azure, enabling it to read documentation published by teams and the company.
7. Ideal
This AI chatbot is designed for the recruitment process, allowing automatic and accurate large-scale candidate screening.
Key Features:
- Facilitates large-scale recruitment processes by helping users prioritize candidates.
8. Hubspot Chat Builder
If you want a simple chatbot that can be customized to your needs, Hubspot Chat Builder is a good choice.
Even though it is not specifically designed for HR needs, this chatbot feature can still be modified to suit HR requirements.
Key Features:
- Simple automated chat customization suitable for those just starting the transformation of their HR administration system.
9. Botsify
Like Hubspot Chat Builder, Botsify is a no-code chatbot designed for various channels such as websites, Facebook, WhatsApp, and SMS.
Key Features:
- The chatbot can be simply customized for HR functions. You can also create information navigation flows using relevant questions.
10. Ubisend by Soprano
An HR chatbot that provides a 24/7 accessible help desk for employees.
Through Ubisend, employees can request leave, get onboarding information, and access a data analysis dashboard for employee needs.
Key Features:
- Recognizes 60 languages.
- Navigation feature based on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Integrates with other software such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Facebook Workplace, and email.
- Implicit bias-free responses ensure more natural answers to a variety of questions.
11. MeBeBot
A chatbot that combines HR, IT, and operational tasks, equipped with deep learning to analyze 300 frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Key Features:
- Understands multiple languages.
- Can read documents uploaded to Slack and Microsoft Teams.
- Processes real-time data based on current situations.
12. Botcore.ai
A versatile chatbot from Acuvate that can be customized for both on-premise and cloud needs.
Key Features:
- Global Knowledge capability to identify many frequently asked questions.
- Security system for accessing the chatbot.
- Integrates with other platforms, including different chatbot software.
13. ProProfs Chat
Although designed for sales and customer service rather than HR, ProProfs Chat is a simple chatbot that can be customized for HR purposes.
Key Features:
- Simple customization.
- In-depth reports for each chat history in real-time.
14. Drift Conversational AI
An AI-based chatbot that can accommodate various business service needs, from ticket booking and customer service to CRM.
While not specifically designed for HR, Drift Conversational AI can be adapted for HR chatbot needs.
Key Features:
- Easily customizable chatbot.
- Integrates with various CRM software, including Hubspot and Google Marketing Platform.
- Integrates with Google Calendar and Google Workspace.
15. Amber by Infeedo
An AI-based chatbot that optimizes and simplifies HR workflows, from repetitive tasks to summarizing employee feedback through the chatbot.
Key Features:
- Supports over 10 languages, including Indonesian.
- Employee feedback analysis dashboard, summarized with various visuals for easy understanding.
- Natural language responses based on language understanding.
- Sentiment analysis features for employee attrition, recruitment trends, and employee leave patterns.
16. HappyFox
Primarily an HR helpdesk software that includes features such as survey form creation, work management, and a chatbot.
Key Features:
- Real-time chat responses in over 10 languages.
- HappyFox Chatbot integrates with its helpdesk system.
- For more complex questions and requests, HappyFox has a ticketing system that can be monitored.
17. Workativ
An AI-based chatbot that accommodates various HR and IT functions. This chatbot is quite unique, considering that employee issues often involve not just administrative but also technical problems.
Key Features:
- Integration with various software including HRIS, work management, CRM, documentation, and other cloud software.
- IT service integration.
- Dashboard for analyzing employee needs and feedback.
18. Espressive
An AI-based chatbot with a virtual assistant named Barista, capable of accommodating HR and IT needs on one platform.
Espressive can provide information related to your company, from leave requests and policies to payroll.
Key Features:
- Natural responses, as if talking to a human.
- Integration with Microsoft Teams and Slack.
- Accommodates both HR and IT needs.
19. Smartbots.ai
A fairly simple chatbot software that can monitor conversations in real-time. Even though it is automated, employees will receive responses tailored to their needs if complex questions arise.
Key Features:
- Integration with social media platforms and other platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack.
- Customizable with an option for testing before chatbot launch.
20. Mekari Talenta HR Helpdesk
HR Helpdesk is an integrated HR chatbot feature developed by Mekari Talenta.
With this integration, employees can easily access various comprehensive administrative information, from employee performance and payroll to leave requests.
Key Features:
- Integration with other features from Mekari Talenta.
- Conversation analysis dashboard in the chatbot.
- Standardized statements to address frequently asked questions.
- Agent routing configuration to direct questions to the appropriate authority.
Best Practices for Implementing HR Chatbots
Just like any current technology, not everything can simplify your work. On the contrary, if used carelessly, it can harm your company.
As a guide, here are the best steps to implement an HR chatbot:
- Choose an HR chatbot software that suits the needs, scale, and budget of your company.
- Ensure your organization has a digital culture. Without a digital culture or mindset, using AI will be futile.
- Understand every feature offered by the HR chatbot software and project it according to your company’s future needs.
- Lastly, ensure the chatbot service provider offers accessible training and after-sales support for your company.
Conclusion
Ultimately, HR chatbots are an inseparable part of AI development, particularly for your business as a whole.
Like a vehicle, the existing technology can keep you on a competitive track, especially in your industry, particularly in HR.
For instance, HR’s focus today is vastly different from ten years ago, where a holistic and humanistic approach is now prioritized.
Thus, repetitive tasks like administration and help desk can be delegated to technology such as HR chatbots, allowing you to focus on strategic matters.
According to Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn, even though HR is just one aspect of various other business aspects, using AI in HR significantly impacts your entire business.
So, it’s time to optimize your business starting from AI technology in HR. Then, see where your company will be five years from now.