The Adecco Group completes successful first agentic AI implementation at scale with Salesforce’s Agentforce
- More than half of candidate conversations now happen outside office hours
- Candidates report strong satisfaction with human-centric AI implementation
- Implementation on Salesforce’s digital labour platform, Agentforce
The agentic AI first wave rollout, launched six months ago in the UK, supports Adecco’s recruiters in high-volume, time-sensitive tasks such as pre-screening of candidates. The focus is on freeing up time to support more quality engagement between recruiters and candidates. Candidates engage with an AI agent via SMS or email in a written exchange that mirrors a live conversation. Crucially, recruiters shape the agent’s inputs, and candidates are informed from the outset that they’re interacting with AI.
The results demonstrate significant potential for candidates, recruiters and clients: The first wave of the implementation has helped 28 companies successfully fill their vacancies thanks to an innovative AI-powered tool. Thousands of candidates were contacted, and a significant number completed the automated conversation, with a 4.6/5 satisfaction rating. Notably, 57% of these conversations took place outside standard working hours, supporting recruiters to engage with candidates at times that suited them best.
By automating early-stage interactions, recruiters can focus their time on assessing soft skills and conducting meaningful follow-up conversations, with AI agents providing lists of engaged, pre-screened candidates ready for contact at the start of each day.
“Pioneering AI-enabled, human-centric solutions in the UK is incredibly exciting – for us, tech should empower people, not replace them. By combining our recruiters’ expertise with AI’s always-on engagement, we’re achieving faster, more tailored outcomes, and responding immediately at times that suit our candidates. At the core of everything we do is human connection, and that’s something we won’t compromise on,” explained Niki Turner-Harding, Managing Director, Adecco UK & Ireland.
Part of an ambitious global strategy
This first implementation of agentic AI in the UK is part of the Adecco Group’s ambitious global AI strategy to unlock human potential at scale. With a strong focus on responsibility and ethics, the strategy focuses on transforming internal operations; supporting learning and development; enhancing services; and developing new, differentiated experiences.
AI is being introduced across the full portfolio of talent and technology solutions of the Adecco Group brands - Adecco, LHH, Akkodis, Pontoon, Qapa, Ezra and General Assembly covering workforce strategy development; talent attraction; recruitment and deployment; learning, development and coaching; as well as with Akkodis technology consulting through its AI and data practice. At the same time, the company has implemented a comprehensive AI skilling programme to ensure employees can embrace the technology and support clients and candidates to navigate its impact on the world of work.
"With all our businesses we are leveraging our global footprint and deep expertise to help businesses become not just AI-capable – but future ready. We help clients and candidates to have great experiences, and we help each of us to navigate the impact of AI on our working lives. Always in responsible, inclusive ways that put people first,” adds Caroline Basyn, Chief Digital and IT Officer at the Adecco Group.
“Companies are rethinking how work gets done as they use AI agents to scale their human workforces,” said Adam Evans, EVP and GM, Salesforce AI. “The Adecco Group and Salesforce are partnering to drive this transformation – using Agentforce to make the recruiting process more convenient for candidates, and faster and more efficient for Adecco and their customers. The results achieved from Adecco’s full production deployment are a great example of how digital labour is helping overwhelmed teams, while driving productivity and innovation in unprecedented ways.”
For further information please contact:
The Adecco Group Corporate Press Office
Jürg Schneider
Group Head External Communications, The Adecco Group
media@adeccogroup.com
Tel: +41 (0) 79 876 09 21
About The Adecco Group
The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent and technology expertise company. Our purpose is making the future work for everyone. Through our three global business units - Adecco, Akkodis and LHH - across 60 countries, we enable sustainable and lifelong employability for individuals, deliver digital and engineering solutions to power the Smart Industry transformation and empower organisations to optimise their workforces. The Adecco Group leads by example and is committed to fostering sustainable employability and supporting resilient economies and communities.
The Adecco Group AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN).