AI in Recruitment live from TruAmsterdam: ‘The value will be in what you know, not what you do’ [Ep. 17]

In the 17th episode of AI in Recruitment, host Martijn Hemminga takes us to the lively scene of TruAmsterdam, held at the Amsterdam offices of Jobsrepublic. He is joined by Bill Boorman and Eric van Bourgonje, who delve into how AI is reshaping recruitment. “For this generation, it’s super exciting”, Boorman commented. “Skilled recruiters who know what they’re doing will be at a premium. The value will be in what you know, not what you do.”

The Benelux AI in Recruitment Award 2024

A key highlight of the podcast is the Benelux AI in Recruitment Award 2024, which recognised outstanding AI-driven solutions for recruitment. In2Dialog, a startup specialising in AI for job interviews, won the award for its innovative tool that streamlines recruitment by using AI to manage interview processes. “The judges praised the tool for its simplicity and efficiency, describing it as a solution that removes much of the tedious administrative work from recruiters’ plates”, Hemminga says.

AI as an expert sidekick

Our first guest, Eric van Bourgonje, CEO of Jobsrepublic, elaborated on his company’s extensive use of AI. As a provider of high-volume recruitment services, Jobsrepublic has integrated AI in various recruitment functions, from initial candidate sourcing to long-term talent management. Eric shared that AI has become indispensable for creating text-based content, such as job ads, and assisting with tasks that are time-consuming for recruiters.

In discussing the rapid progress of AI tools, Eric highlighted that his team uses AI to support candidates and HR professionals through advanced follow-up techniques, enabled by tools like Carve. This tool uses AI to record and analyse candidate interactions, allowing for accurate follow-ups and transparent communication with clients. AI’s role as an “expert sidekick” has been transformative, helping staff prepare for meetings, anticipate client questions, and create visuals that improve client pitches.

New frontiers in AI: Agentic AI

Laurens Waling, Chief Evangelist at 8vance, weighed in on a new AI frontier: Agentic AI. This technology aims to unify multiple AI tools, integrating everything from candidate sourcing and assessments to onboarding, creating a cohesive recruitment workflow. With agentic AI, recruiters can work smarter and faster, without jumping between platforms. Waling emphasised how this technology helps make recruitment more efficient, particularly in the often-overwhelming world of disconnected AI tools.

‘Roles will look drastically different’

Host Martijn Hemminga also spoke extensively with Bill Boorman, the founding father of the Tru unconferences, about the future of recruitment in a world where AI takes over many traditional tasks. Boorman shared his vision of the day after the robots come — a hypothetical future where AI technologies are fully integrated into recruitment processes, leaving us to rethink the human roles that remain.

“Ultimately, technological advancements shift workflows, leading to roles that may look drastically different than they do today.”

“If we accept that technology is taking over a lot of recruiting, what does the job look like afterwards?”, Boorman asks. “What does it mean? I believe that recruiters need to examine the future of their work from three perspectives: technology, methodology, and society. What can the tech do now? And what will it do as it learns and evolves? Ultimately, technological advancements shift workflows, leading to roles that may look drastically different than they do today.”

‘It’s a shift in focus’

He sees this transition as inevitable, with the current generation of recruiters potentially being the last to focus exclusively on hiring. “I think this is the last generation of recruiters as we know them”, Boorman stated. “People in talent acquisition are already rebranding themselves as ‘people and culture officers,’ or taking on responsibilities like internal mobility, retention, or even internal communications. It’s more than just a title change—it’s a shift in focus.”

“Skilled recruiters who know what they’re doing will be at a premium. The value will be in what you know, not what you do.”

However, Boorman remains optimistic about the value of human experience in a technology-driven field. “For this generation, it’s super exciting. Skilled recruiters who know what they’re doing will be at a premium. The value will be in what you know, not what you do.”

Don’t miss the AI in Recruitment: Outlook 2025

On 30 January 2025, the hosts will be hosting the second live online talk show, AI in Recruitment: Outlook 2025. This event will feature legal expert Inge Brattinga, who will provide insights into the latest AI legislation, including the EU AI Act. With last year’s edition attracting over 600 registrations, it promises to be an influential platform for thought leadership and networking.

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Listen to the full episode

For those keen on delving into the complete discussion, the full episode is available for listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or through the link below.