Key Takeaways from the Seek AI Meetup for Recruiters in Christchurch

The Seek AI meetup for recruiters was a lovely catch up with some old & new faces. A very insightful gathering, highlighting the rapidly evolving landscape of talent acquisition, the integration of AI into recruitment processes, and the future challenges recruiters will face. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from AI safety to the shift in how candidates interact with potential employers.

The New Electricity: Data Quality

The comparison of AI to "the new electricity" was a recurring theme throughout the event. Just as society shifted from steam power to electricity, recruitment is undergoing a transformation driven by AI and data quality. In the past, steam-powered machinery was bulky and prone to breakdowns—much like how early AI implementations faced hurdles around data reliability. Today, data quality is becoming a critical factor, much like the electricity that powers our world with precision. Accurate, clean data will be the foundation of AI's success in recruitment moving forward.

From Music to Job Applications

One speakers cleverly likened the evolution of recruitment to the music industry. Once, people owned physical albums or CDs; now, we live in a world of streaming and live performances. Similarly, the traditional CV is undergoing a transformation. According to predictions shared during the meetup, by next year, 50% of CVs will be written using AI. This shift means recruiters will need to adapt quickly, as AI-generated CVs will become the norm rather than the exception.

The Rise of AI in Interviews

Video interviews are becoming standard, but attendees debated whether people are ready for the changes AI might bring to interviews. For instance, tools like ChatGPT could be used during video calls, allowing candidates to answer questions in real time with AI assistance. This raised concerns about trust, integrity, and whether we may see a return to face-to-face interviews to ensure authenticity.

However, the consensus was clear—AI will play an increasingly pivotal role, especially in tasks like screening candidates and conducting initial assessments. This leaves recruiters free to focus on building relationships, ensuring cultural fit, and other human-centric elements of hiring.

AI Safety & the Human Element

AI safety, integrity, and trust are paramount as recruiters navigate this new era. The ability to "lazy apply" to thousands of jobs a day using AI tools poses a unique challenge, increasing the likelihood of scams and unqualified applicants flooding the market. The authenticity of job listings will be crucial, and companies will need to bolster their efforts to establish trust and maintain integrity in their recruitment processes.

Despite these risks, the human element in recruitment will become even more important. The discussion suggested that recruiters might eventually return to face-to-face interactions to ensure authenticity in hiring. It was emphasized that while AI can do the heavy lifting upfront, such as initial candidate screenings, building trust and forming personal connections will remain a human task.

Less Demand for Jobs? Not Yet…

Contrary to some speculation, the demand for employment hasn’t diminished. However, the way jobs are filled has changed, with AI taking on more upfront work, leaving recruiters to handle the nuanced, relationship-building aspects of the process. This balance between technology and human touch will be key in the years ahead.

Ontologists: The Librarians of the Future

An exciting new role emerged during the discussion—the ontologist, described as "a librarian on steroids." Ontologists are specialist linguists who can help companies improve their AI systems by defining the relationships between concepts and ensuring that AI matches candidates not only based on relevance but also on suitability. This focus on matching candidates and convincing them to apply is an area where AI can excel, provided it’s guided by knowledgeable human input.

AI-Driven Job Writing

Another area of discussion was AI-driven job writing, especially for new customers. Recruiters will use AI to craft engaging, customized job postings for clients who are just entering the market. In contrast, companies with an established presence may continue using their existing ads. AI can also help with candidate verification, with services like Seek Pass playing a role in ensuring candidate information is accurate and trustworthy.

Data Overload: Handling Notifications

Recruiters today face data overload. Seek’s platform reportedly sends out over 100 million notifications per week, yet only 2 to 3 million candidates are active per month, with a much smaller subset (500,000 to 800,000) applying for roles. These numbers highlight the importance of refining how candidates are matched to jobs and ensuring they receive relevant notifications.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Recruitment

As the AI revolution continues, recruiters will need to adapt. The event closed with a call to action—never rely on models built before 2020, given how rapidly AI technology is advancing. Additionally, hiring managers will need to be more hands-on early in the recruitment process, tweaking job descriptions and candidate profiles to ensure the best match.

Ultimately, while AI will handle much of the legwork, human recruiters will remain vital in the decision-making process, ensuring that trust, integrity, and personal connections remain at the heart of the hiring process.

This meetup showcased how AI is transforming recruitment, and while the road ahead presents challenges, the opportunity for growth and innovation in the field is immense. The key takeaway? Use AI to enhance the human elements of recruitment, not replace them.

Thanks to all the Seek team again for organising a really great event :-)

I’m Paul, lover of coffee, animals, biking, surfing & skiing. Founder & Principal Consultant of Sunstone, an IT Recruitment & HR company specialising in recruiting IT roles within software, web, mobile, AI, blockchain, data, cloud infrastructure, security & networks in Christchurch & South Island of New Zealand.