This year’s IAMPHENOM conference in Philadelphia felt much larger than in past years- not just in attendees but in content and product announcements as well. With 2,500 attendees, over 90 sessions, and more than 100 customer speakers from organizations like Mastercard, Pepsi, and SSM Health, the event highlighted the growing interest in AI-driven innovation. The expanded partner expo and increased industry participation reflects Phenom’s evolving role in the HR tech space.
While Agentic AI—with the introduction of 25 AI-powered agents—was the headline announcement, what stood out most to me was Phenom’s focus on customer engagement. From leadership to sales and customer support, the company’s emphasis on long-term relationships was clear. Executives like Mahe Bayreddi and Cliff Jurkiewicz clearly have strong, personal connections with many of their customers, reinforcing the theme of “customer obsession” that came up repeatedly throughout the event.
However, beyond the product announcements and customer focus, the broader implications for HR technology adoption, skills-based hiring, and AI-driven decision-making raise important questions about the future of talent acquisition and HR Tech. Are companies ready to transition to Agentic AI? What does that mean for the future of HR/recruiting?
Key Themes from IAMPHENOM
1. Skills-Based Talent Approaches
Phenom has been moving toward a skills-based approach to talent, which came up in discussions on the Enterprise Talent Graph and Ontology Editor. Whether you are sick of skills or not, providers seem to be doubling down on this area. It remains to be seen whether Phenom will fully pivot to a skills-based provider.
2. Agentic AI and Its Impact on Talent Acquisition
Phenom’s announcement of 25 AI-driven agents highlights how Agentic AI is reshaping talent acquisition and management. The focus on AI-driven automation shows a shift in how companies will interact with HR technology—moving from traditional systems to more proactive, responsive, and independent AI agents that can streamline hiring and internal mobility. Tim Sackett and I are working on a study and early results found that 1 in 3 companies are in the process of considering agents for HR. When asked what level of autonomy companies expect agents to have- 52% said semi-autonomous and only 8% believe they should be fully autonomous.
3. Deloitte Partnership and Expanding Enterprise Reach
A key announcement from the event was Phenom’s partnership with Deloitte, which shows a push toward deeper enterprise adoption. Deloitte’s influence in HR transformation projects could help expand Phenom’s presence in larger organizations that are looking to integrate AI-driven talent solutions.
4. Customer Advisory Board (CAB) Engagement
Phenom shared updates on its Customer Advisory Board (CAB), highlighting strong engagement and growth:
- 63 active members
- 89% of members as referenceable customers
- 100% customer renewal rate
- 338% growth in executive participation
- 91% in-person attendance
.The focus on CAB deeply influences product with 30+ product innovations influenced by the CAB and 18+ use cases identified and ROI validated.
5. The Edge Acquisition and Future Expansion
Last month, Phenom also announced the acquisition of Edge, a move aimed at strengthening its workforce planning capabilities. The acquisition shows its growth in India, momentum in professional services, and strengthening of its skills-based approach.
Understanding Agentic AI Announcement
Phenom’s Agentic AI includes a suite of 25 AI-powered agents designed to automate and enhance various HR functions. One question asked in the analyst session- was why build 25 agents instead of announcing agentic capabilities with specific use cases.
Below is what is important to know about this announcement.
1. X+ Ontologies
A foundational element of Phenom’s Agentic AI is the development of X+ Ontologies. These ontologies standardize disparate and unstructured enterprise data into actionable insights. By creating structured taxonomies of skills, roles, and tasks, companies can better align their HR operations with overarching business strategies.
2. X+ Agent Studio
Building upon the ontologies, the X+ Agent Studio offers pre-built, no-configuration AI agents tailored to specific industry needs and job roles. These agents collaborate with HR teams to automate routine tasks, provide predictive insights, and enhance decision-making processes.
I love the opportunity of what Agentic AI offers but there are still many unknowns. We are going to see more and more Agentic AI announcements this year. What will make companies stand out is a focus on ROI, customer support, and a deep understanding of the role of HR.
