The current deluge of artificial intelligence news and coverage in the wake of ChatGPT’s meteoric rise in utilization over the past eight months has resulted in many, many businesses pondering the relative future of their overall operations.
Will AI become the de-facto technology that all processes revolve around? Will AI replace the vast majority of human-led positions over the next several years? Does generative AI, like ChatGPT, signal the apocalypse?
Well, the answers here are “probably,” “possibly but probably not,” and, “no, we won’t live in a Terminator-styled future in which robots control the world.” Artificial intelligence is a powerful range of technologies that were designed (and continue to evolve) to mimic human thinking, automate redundant processes, and transform business operations into hyper-efficient layers that are harmoniously entwined.
AI generates buzz unlike any other corporate technology for two main reasons: 1) it’s become ubiquitous given its presence in our personal lives (and our consumer lives), and, 2) it has the potential to transform nearly every facet of the contemporary enterprise. And it’s not just ChatGPT that represents a veritable technological revolution; AI is becoming omni-present in enterprise technology in such a way that every business understands that it needs to adapt to an AI-led world…or fail to thrive.
The world of talent acquisition has always been a hotbed of innovation. Today, TA executives (and the function at-large) operate with forward-thinking strategies in the ever-evolving war for talent, choosing to adopt new solutions, utilize fresh technology, and tap into Future of Work-era concepts to effectively solidify the notion of “talent as the top enterprise differentiator.” There’s an interesting dance at hand here, however, when artificial intelligence meets the world of talent acquisition. Does it have the potential to replace…or disrupt? Is AI a harbinger for a revolutionary transformation in talent acquisition, or is it an enhancer and enabler?
The truth lies somewhere in the middle, of course. While artificial intelligence will certainly exceed its own hype and become the #1 Future of Work-era innovation (especially in the talent acquisition arena), there are specific ideas that point to AI as having limitations and requiring human intervention:
- Parameters within AI are limited (and require human intervention to exceed these limitations). Much of the criticisms surrounding the utilization of AI revolves around its difficulties in grasping complex contextual nuances, hence requiring human intervention (or, human-driven guidelines) to effectively process context within mass volumes of data and information. Efficient usage of artificial intelligence, then, requires human enhancement to refine and reshape parameters to solve the lack of nuanced understanding within AI-based technology.
- Artificial intelligence is not social intelligence. AI is the kingmaker when it comes to data-processing and information transformation. However, it cannot be confused for “social intelligence,” which is the backbone of human interaction and collaboration. Artificial intelligence cannot navigate intricate, socially-conscious aspects such as empathy, human emotions, and deeper communication. The Black Mirror episode “Be Right Back” comes to mind here, as even a 100% lifelike version of a human (borne from AI) never fully hits the mark in terms of a traditional human relationship. The essential qualities of social intelligence are just not woven into today’s AI-based functionality.
- Talent acquisition is a “people business” and it will always be a “people business.” Make no mistake about it: recruiters and hiring managers armed with artificial intelligence have the edge. AI can significantly enhance talent-matching, boost diversity intelligence, determine potential fit and alignment, and rule out candidate fraud (while also automating deep screening processes, particularly assessments). However, there’s a “human edge” to talent acquisition that will always position the function as a people-based business that requires emotional connections, hardwired human “DNA” within technology, and the unique touch of human capital professionals.
- Humans have an innate ability to be agile, flexibility, and to innovate when needed. AI is a novel swatch of technology that has revolutionized the Future of Work movement, however, it cannot be novel in how it approaches creativity and innovation. Artificial intelligence is founded on principles that have clear boundaries and parameters, whereas the human mind is near-limitless in how it can generate new ideas and concepts. AI will be even more clutch than it is today as the business arena continues to evolve; being “fed” tremendous amounts of data will allow it to boost critical decision-making at every corporate level, helping executive leaders develop major strategies that are founded on real-time data regarding economics, politics, supply chains, etc. However, the human mind always has an edge due to its propensity for agility and flexibility in the wake of changing times, as well as the natural, human consistency towards true innovation when and where it is needed.
There is a delicate balance at stake here, though, as AI becomes more entwined with business operations and evolves in how it enhances various enterprise functions. Artificial intelligence may have specific limitations, but it is undoubtedly a powerful tool that has the potential to disrupt, transform, and enhance nearly every facet of talent acquisition. Where do we draw the line, though? What is the proper mindset here, especially as generative AI (like ChatGPT) changes the ways businesses operate?
During last month’s Future of Work Exchange LIVE event in Boston, Opptly’s Rebecca Valladares put it quite profoundly, stating, “Ultimately, recruiters who use AI will replace recruiters who do not use AI.” The devil is in the quick details of Valladares’ idea: success comes to those who embrace it and meld it with the human mind. In the realm of talent acquisition, while AI holds immense potential to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, its true power lies in complementing and fusing it with human thinking, creating a harmonious synergy that combines the best of both worlds.
