Central today unveiled CTRL, its proprietary AI agent runtime designed to power the company's AI Agent for handling mission-critical back-office operations in payroll, benefits, compliance, and more. This advanced framework goes beyond traditional AI tools by enabling reliable execution of complex actions through natural language commands, while prioritizing security, human control, and compliance for enterprise environments.
CTRL distinguishes itself by transforming natural language instructions into precise, executable workflows for back-office tasks. For instance, commands such as approving PTO requests dynamically generate workflow graphs that identify required systems, retrieve necessary data, and perform actions reliably.
"Most AI tools stop at answering questions," said Josh Wymer, CEO at Central. "CTRL was built from the ground up to take action on mission-critical workflows where reliability, auditability, and human judgment aren't optional. Think of it as Cursor for back-office work: just as Cursor helps developers write code with AI, CTRL helps teams execute back-office operations with AI."
This deterministic approach ensures predictable and reproducible outcomes, making it suitable for SaaS platforms managing sensitive operations like payroll processing and employee bonuses.
CTRL addresses automation risks by integrating mandatory human oversight. As the AI agent proposes workflows for tasks like regulatory filings or employee record updates, it presents clear confirmation interfaces for real-time review and intervention.
This hybrid model enables organizations to achieve productivity improvements in IT-driven back-office functions without compromising control, particularly in regulated industries requiring strict governance.
Leveraging Google's A2UI protocol, CTRL facilitates seamless AI agent interactions across channels. Users experience identical workflow execution and approval processes whether operating in Slack, web interfaces, or other integrated platforms, enhancing team visibility and consistency in managing technology services.
Designed for regulated sectors, CTRL incorporates robust governance tools. These include immutable audit logs for every action, role-based access controls, and compliance-oriented architecture that supports verifiable results in back-office automation.
"Enterprise back-office operations demand a level of control and accountability that traditional AI tools simply can't provide," said Josh Wymer, CEO at Central. "CTRL was built to meet that standard. Every action is auditable, every workflow requires human approval, and the entire system is designed for the governance requirements of regulated industries. This allows us to deploy our AI agent with confidence in our most critical operations."
The combination of these elements positions CTRL as a reliable solution for businesses seeking AI agents in payroll, HR, and compliance workflows.
A new CTRL-powered web AI Agent is now available for early access customers, building on the runtime's established track record in production environments.
Central is building the AI-native back-office platform. The company's CTRL runtime powers Central's AI Agent, enabling businesses to automate payroll, benefits, compliance, accounting, taxes, and more through natural language. Central's platform serves over 400 customers and is backed by First Round Capital and Y Combinator.
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