HR teams spend a large part of their week on repetitive work: answering the same policy questions, scheduling interviews, chasing documents and updating spreadsheets. AI promises to take much of this away. But there are three very different ways to get help — and each has its own costs.
Option 1: Buy an off-the-shelf AI HR tool
Many HR platforms now include AI features: CV screening, chatbots for employee questions and automated onboarding checklists.
- Pros: quick to start, no development, vendor handles updates.
- Cons: per-user subscription costs, limited customisation, your data lives in another system.
- Best for: standard processes and smaller teams.
Option 2: Build a custom AI HR assistant
A developer can build an assistant that answers questions from your handbook and policies, connects to your HRMS or payroll system and automates your specific workflows.
- Pros: fits your processes exactly, integrates with existing tools, you own it.
- Cons: upfront development cost and ongoing maintenance.
- Best for: unique workflows, multiple systems or larger employee bases.
Option 3: Hire a (remote) HR assistant
Sometimes the work needs judgement, empathy and follow-up that AI cannot provide. A remote assistant — often supported by AI tools — can be the most practical choice.
- Pros: handles nuance, builds relationships, flexible.
- Cons: ongoing salary cost, limited by working hours.
How to decide
| If your main need is… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Answering repetitive policy questions | Custom AI assistant over your documents |
| Standard recruiting workflow | Off-the-shelf HR software |
| Connecting HRMS, payroll and timesheets | Custom integration |
| Sensitive conversations and coordination | A person, supported by tools |
A practical combination
Many teams get the best results by combining approaches: software for the core HR system, a custom AI assistant for questions and document handling, and people for the work that needs a human touch.
We build job portals, timesheet systems and AI assistants for HR teams. See our HR & recruitment solutions or talk to us.