#4 Redefining Recruiter Role and Tips for Successful Adoption
Q: What will the role of people be as technology automates more functions, especially in RPO?
Stan Wasowicz:
- The role of people will shift to guiding AI—telling the algorithms what to do.
- RPOs have a major opportunity to help overwhelmed employers navigate AI adoption and automation.
- RPO is more than just placing people in seats; it’s about managing processes, which are now being automated at an unprecedented speed.
- To stay competitive, RPOs should build in-house technology expertise, including service integration, consulting, and AI capabilities.
- The largest RPOs are already operating as technology companies, with significant investments in R&D, AI engineers, and data science teams.
Q: What factors influence an organization's readiness to adopt AI?
Zach Chertok, IDC Analyst:
- AI adoption follows a bell curve, where readiness varies among organizations.
- The first phase of AI transformation focused on employee experience before HR and IT leaders began integrating AI into operations.
- Organizations must decide between:
- An AI-led approach, where AI is introduced from day one.
- A traditionalist approach, where AI adoption lags until a sudden spike in implementation.
- Behavioral change management is critical—recruiters need time to adapt to AI before full integration.
- The key is aligning social readiness (acceptance of AI) with digital augmentation (use of AI in operations).
Q: How should companies introduce AI to their workforce?
Zach Chertok, IDC Analyst:
- AI adoption should be gradual, with unconscious exposure in the back office before bringing AI to the forefront.
- Companies should assess team reactions to AI before rolling it out fully.
- Skilling and training should focus on how to use AI effectively, ensuring recruiters and hiring managers can augment their abilities rather than replace their work.
