AI in HR: The Future is Agentic

The world of work is changing rapidly, and technology is at the forefront of this transformation. Artificial intelligence,1 in particular, is revolutionizing how we find, hire, and develop talent. Today, we delve into this exciting landscape with Ken Schumacher, the founder of Ropes, an innovative platform leveraging AI to transform the recruitment assessment process.

Interestingly enough, Ken is an engineer by trade and brings a unique perspective to the human capital space. This lack of HR experience makes him the perfect person to challenge traditional methods and pave the way for a more efficient and equitable future.

Find this episode on:

📺 Full Version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HbqF4HkhNbI

🎧 You can also listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2F43qtXmI1mJxcNfFasmNm

Soundbites

Ken Schumacher dropped some serious knowledge bombs in this episode! Here are a few soundbites that really stuck with me:

• "I think you start to see, we see this again, I love using engineers, but I think it translates to other disciplines as well. As these AI tools get better and better and better, you kind of have the users versus the non-users."

• "When we hire at Ropes, honestly, we look for candidates that are really great at using these AI tools."

• "I think there's a real advantage [to using AI tools] there. So yeah, it's an exciting time."

• "A lot of the signal or the value of the read that you get on an engineer comes out in how they solve problems, right?"

• "The long-term vision here is moving from where you went to school and what you've done into what you can do."

The Agentic Future of AI in HR

Ken highlighted the concept of "agentic AI" and its potential to reshape HR. Agentic AI goes beyond basic chatbots and AI assistance. It involves creating AI agents that can autonomously execute tasks, such as sourcing candidates, scheduling interviews, and even conducting initial screening calls. Imagine an AI intern that can handle those repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing up HR professionals to focus on more strategic and human-centric activities.

While this may sound futuristic, the building blocks of agentic AI are already in place. Tools like ChatGPT can automate tasks like writing job descriptions, crafting email responses, and summarizing candidate profiles. As these tools evolve, they will become increasingly sophisticated, taking on more complex responsibilities and further streamlining HR processes.

Embracing AI for a Competitive Edge

Ken emphasized the importance of embracing AI tools to stay competitive in the evolving job market. HR professionals who are comfortable using AI will be better equipped to leverage its potential for increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and enhanced candidate experience.

This doesn't mean every HR professional needs to become an AI expert. Start by experimenting with readily available tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI-powered features within your existing HR tech stack. Explore how these tools can automate tasks, provide insights, and support your daily work.

By embracing AI and continuously experimenting with new tools, HR professionals can position themselves as leaders in the field, driving innovation and creating a more efficient and effective HR function.

Connect with Ken Schumacher

Want to learn more about Ropes and the future of AI in recruitment? Connect with Ken Schumacher!

Learn more about his company: https://ropes.ai

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenschu/

Conclusion

The conversation with Ken Schumacher provided invaluable insights into the transformative power of AI in human capital and recruitment. As AI continues to evolve, HR professionals must adapt and embrace new technologies to stay ahead of the curve. By experimenting with AI tools, focusing on outcomes, and prioritizing the human element, HR can leverage AI's potential to create a more efficient, equitable, and engaging recruitment process.

Are you ready to embrace the AI revolution in HR? Subscribe to The Human Capitalist podcast and join our mailing list at https://bit.ly/3UrBhGP for more insights and updates on the future of work.