Recruiting Future with Matt Alder - What's Next For Talent Acquisition, HR & Hiring?

The constant noise around AI has created a strange situation in talent acquisition. On one side, relentless hype has made many TA leaders deeply skeptical, reluctant to invest in technology that feels oversold. On the other side, some employers have pushed through the fog and are getting genuine, measurable results from AI agents in their hiring processes. The gap between these two groups is widening fast. So how do you separate what actually works from what's just marketing? What does effective AI agent implementation really look like in practice, and what value is it driving for the employers embracing it My guest this week is Max Legardez Coquin, Founder and CEO at Maki. I saw Maki’s technology in action at UNLEASH last year and was genuinely impressed by what they're delivering for a variety of enterprise employers. In our conversation, Max explains how using AI to develop a scientific approach to hiring is driving tangible value in terms of quality, speed, efficiency, and a vastly improved candidate experience. In the interview, we discuss: Making recruiting a science Capturing signals to make better hiring decisions AI agents, the case studies that show they are working What do candidates think about this level of automation? Using compound intelligence to drive predictive hiring Advice to TA Leaders on recruiting transformation Will adoption rates increase this year? What does the future look like? Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

Join Dr. Ali Raza, a former academic and the innovative CEO of Bytespark.ai, as he delves into the world of AI in recruitment. He reveals how AI outshines humans in sifting through large application volumes and spotting hidden qualifications. Explore how blending AI with human insight enhances candidate conversations and aligns hiring managers with better-matched shortlists. Ali dispels fears of replacement, highlighting AI's role in eliminating repetitive tasks while emphasizing the irreplaceable human touch in building trust and connections.

Strategic partnerships in talent acquisition can mean the difference between incremental improvement and transformational change. But what does a true strategic partnership actually look like? How do you move beyond the traditional vendor-client relationship to genuine co-creation? My guests this week are Simon Bishop, Head of Talent Acquisition at SoftwareOne, and Ritu Mohanka, CEO at VONQ. Their partnership spans employer branding, recruitment marketing, and agentic AI deployment—all while Software One was navigating the complex integration challenge of merging two TA functions post-acquisition. Their collaboration was central to VONQ's recent launch of EQO, their agentic AI platform. SoftwareOne was a development partner, helping shape the product through real-world testing and feedback. You can watch the full launch on VONQ's LinkedIn page. In the interview, we discuss: How the partnership evolved over time Building employer brand in competitive markets Multi-channel brand-led recruitment marketing campaigns Piloting and implementing agentic AI The vital importance of transparency and explainability Managing change and recruiter adoption Candidate reactions to AI screening Navigating TA through a major acquisition What the future of talent acquisition will look like Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

Rhona Barnett-Pierce, a former recruiter turned personal branding strategist, joins Matt to dissect key insights from December 2025. They delve into the trust issues stemming from poor job design and how clear job architecture can enhance AI's role in recruitment. Rhona emphasizes the need for clarity and urgency in hiring executive talent, while exploring the balance between automation and human interaction. They also highlight the importance of data-driven trends that can shape a more strategic approach in talent acquisition.

In this insightful discussion, Bas van de Haterd, a researcher and consultant renowned for his extensive work on corporate career sites, reveals the evolving landscape of employer branding. He highlights the paradox of improving basics while candidates now demand advanced features like conversational AI. Bas also addresses shrinking DEI content, low chatbot adoption, and the significant strides in mobile application processes. To stay relevant, he urges employers to personalize career sites and optimize them for AI indexing, ensuring they meet modern candidate expectations.

In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Kestenbaum, Managing Director at AMS, dives into the future of AI in talent acquisition. He emphasizes that simply purchasing AI tools isn't enough; organizations must focus on reskilling and workforce planning to unlock real value. Kestenbaum also highlights the shift away from traditional resumes, proposing a need for richer candidate contexts. Additionally, he discusses the emerging role of blockchain for identity verification and predicts an increase in hiring velocity as skills change rapidly.

AI is the most disruptive technology we've seen in our careers, but most industry conversations stay at the surface level of use cases and future predictions. This special bonus episode goes deeper. These four interviews, taken from a behind-the-scenes film I recently made, explore how AI recruiting products actually get built. We're talking to the people who created SmartRecruiters' AI-first platform Winston to uncover the lessons TA professionals need for their own AI transformation. Featuring: Shefali Netke, VP of Design, on how design decisions shape AI adoption in enterprise recruiting Thibaut Allard, Global Data Privacy & AI Lead, on navigating AI compliance where global regulations and rapid innovation collide Dave Novak, Global Director of Managed Services, on what it actually takes to turn AI ambition into operational reality Nicole Hammond, VP, Center of Excellence, on building true AI readiness from early mindset shifts to sustained capability If you want to understand the architecture, the legal landscape, and the human side of making AI work in recruiting, this is the episode.

In this discussion, Jacob Morgan, a futurist and author focused on the future of work, shares insights from interviews with over 100 CHROs about employee experience. He highlights significant shifts since the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of empathetic excellence and using AI to enhance human connections. Jacob outlines eight key laws for crafting a future-ready employee experience and stresses the need for organizations to adapt their cultures like software. He also discusses upcoming changes in talent acquisition and the role AI will play in shaping the workplace.

Susan De La Vega, SVP at Korn Ferry who leads global tech-based RPO solutions, shares trends from a 1,600-leader study. She discusses why TA struggles with uncertainty. She explores how AI and automation are splitting recruiter tasks. She warns about entry-level cuts harming pipelines. She outlines how talent teams can earn more strategic influence and prepare for 2026.

Mark Whitby, founder of Recruitment Coach and host of The Resilient Recruiter podcast, discusses the shifting landscape of automation in recruitment influenced by recent AI advances. He highlights the pitfalls of poor automation practices and the vital need for preserving human connection. Mark emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in hiring, advocating for effective multi-channel outreach strategies. He also underlines that building trust and a strong personal brand is crucial for future success in an increasingly automated world.