There’s no shortage of hot takes about AI and talent acquisition. Depending on who you listen to, it’s on the verge of wiping out the entire profession — or just the latest overhyped technology because recruiting is about human needs and connections. 

The truth is somewhere in between. At the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit Glen Cathey delivered a keynote that cut through the noise with a clear-eyed, nuanced view of where AI really stands and where it’s taking us.

Among his takeaways:

• Generative AI has already matched — or surpassed — humans in keyword and semantic search, and even persuasive outreach.

• AI recruiters are rivaling top performers in cold calls, often with more empathy and emotional intelligence.

• Human value is shifting toward high-complexity, low-supply roles that require creativity, nuance, and accountability.

• When properly prompted, AI can outperform people in fairness, transparency, and bias mitigation.

• The recruiter of tomorrow? An AI orchestrator — stepping in when systems fail or when the human touch really matters.

Glen’s keynote is a must-watch for anyone in talent acquisition who wants to understand how their role is changing today and in the future. You can now watch it free on our YouTube channel.

And if you missed the Summit entirely, don’t worry — for the past five years, we’ve recorded every session at our events and made them available on ERE Pro. It requires a subscription, but all ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit attendees get full access for free. Head over and catch up on what you missed.

— David

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Featured Story

Everyone’s Using AI to Find Talent. That’s the Problem.

Jim Stroud critiques the widespread reliance on AI tools in recruitment. He argues that while AI can efficiently source candidates from online platforms, it inherently limits recruiters to a common pool of actively visible talent. This approach neglects passive candidates, resulting in a homogenized talent search where companies compete over the same prospects. Stroud emphasizes that true competitive advantage lies in attracting unique talent through bold and creative strategies, rather than solely depending on widely accessible AI tools. (ERE)

More Recruiting Insights

We will see the biggest gold rush in online recruiting in the next 12 months. Here’s another take on the collision of AI and TA, making the case that companies' over reliance on AI for cost-cutting measures will spark a huge rebound in the coming year. As I wrote last week, a lot of what is happening is cyclical, but there are also fundamental changes happening, so don’t hold your breath. (Alexander Chukovski)

The upskilling imperative: Required at scale for the future of work. According to the McKinsey American Opportunity Survey, 44% of employed Americans are open to changing occupations, primarily for better pay or hours. However, 45% of those willing to switch cite a lack of necessary skills, experience, or credentials as the main barrier to making such a transition. (McKinsey)

Leading in the age of AI. More on upskilling — Adecco’s survey of 2,000 CEOs found that despite increasing investments in AI, only 10% of surveyed companies are considered "future-ready," possessing structured plans to support workers, develop skills, and lead through AI-driven changes. (The Adecco Group)

LinkedIn staff among 6,000 laid off at Microsoft. Big Tech continues it’s efficiency drive, even though LinkedIn revenues were up 7% in their most recent quarter. To everyone in our community who was impacted who were impacted, we wish you strength, support, and new opportunities ahead. (AIM Group)

Conferences

ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit

San Diego, CA

November 4-5, 2025

The ERE Recruiting Conference is the premier independent practitioner-led recruiting event that provides actionable insights for talent acquisition professionals. Join fellow colleagues to discover practical ideas, best practices, and case study solutions from leaders who share your toughest recruiting challenges — and have experience overcoming them. (ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit)

Webinars

Next-Level Talent Engagement: Transforming Recruitment with AI Solutions

May 22, 2025 | 2:00 PM EDT | 1 Hour

Discover how integrated technology is reshaping the way organizations connect with top talent. In this webinar, we’ll explore how tools like text recruiting platforms, AI chatbots, and employee referral systems can work together to create a seamless and personalized candidate experience. (ERE)

Tech Demo Tuesday: Discover the Hottest Tools in Recruiting

June 3, 2025 | 2:00 PM EDT | 1 Hour

Join us for Tech Demo Tuesday, a dynamic webinar series designed for recruiting leaders and talent acquisition practitioners eager to explore cutting-edge technology in the recruiting space. Discover the latest sourcing and hiring innovations as top solution providers showcase the tools shaping the future of talent acquisition. (ERE)

The Skills Shift: Redefining How We Hire and Grow Talent

June 4, 2025 | 2:00 PM EDT | 1 Hour

Practitioners from forward-thinking organizations will discuss how they drive change in how talent is sourced, evaluated, and developed. Our panel will address the challenges of moving beyond traditional role-based requirements, sharing tactics that align hiring practices with real-world skills and capabilities. Discover how these industry experts are leveraging data, competency frameworks, and agile methodologies to identify potential, all while maintaining equity, speed, and consistency in their processes. (ERE)