According to Kevin Wheeler, AI is not just one of the big trends, but the dominant force shaping the future of recruitment and work. ‘ChatGPT or some equivalent is going to be built into every recruitment product out there’, he says in a video interview with Recruitment Tech.
Trend 1: ‘AI will be in every tool’
Wheeler believes that AI’s ability to automate tasks previously handled by humans is a game-changer’. “With the advancements in AI technology, tasks such as candidate screening, assessment, and even open conversations with candidates through online chat are becoming increasingly feasible.”
“There’s not going to be any recruiting tool that doesn’t have an element that’s AI.”
He sees a future where AI, particularly ChatGPT or similar technologies, will be integrated into every recruitment tool, making it an essential component. “ChatGTP or some equivalent is going to be built into every product out there. So there’s not going to be any recruiting tool that doesn’t have an element that’s AI. I look at the whole thing from even finding candidates, attracting them, engaging them, to screening and assessing them. It can all be automated to probably 90%.”
Trend 2: AI reduces the need for human intervention
The second trend Wheeler highlights is the shift from tools that assist recruiters to tools that can take over certain recruitment processes. He foresees AI-based software making recommendations and decisions, reducing the need for human intervention. For instance, rather than manually reviewing video interviews, AI algorithms will analyse the interviews and provide recommendations. “So rather than having a video interview and then we look at it and decide, the software is going to make recommendations for us, again, that’s AI-based”, Wheeler says.
Trend 3: Verbal communication with AI
The third and final trend, according to Wheeler, is the pervasive integration of AI into all recruiting products, including consumer-facing tools. He envisions a future where candidates can verbally inquire about opportunities at specific companies, and AI-powered systems like ChatGPT will analyse their background and provide tailored recommendations.
“You’re going to be able to open up a site and just say verbally speaking, say: tell me what opportunities there are at whatever company, given my background”, Wheeler says. “ChatGPT will know their background and we’ll be able to scan opportunities and say: Here are three companies you might be interested in and here are the positions.”
‘Still a big role for recruiters’
While acknowledging that change takes time, Wheeler believes that the adoption of AI in recruiting will happen faster than expected, possibly within the next two to three years. He emphasises that recruiters will still play a crucial role but will shift towards more value-added tasks such as coaching and content creation. “I think there’s still a very big role for recruiters, maybe fewer of them, but still, there’s going to be recruiters, but they’re going to be doing things like coaching, content creation, much more value-added things.”
