This week, Draup attended the US HR Tech event, and Draup was featured as the skills shakeup vendor in the keynote by industry analysts.  We offered our thoughts on the role of Generative AI and its opportunities for talent acquisition and workforce planning.  The good news is that the role of humans will be crucial not just in the TA and WFP but also in the broader human resources.  To fully understand this, let us look at an interesting study. 

Brian Uzzi, a professor affiliated with the Kellogg School of Management, conducted an extensive analysis of 17.9 million publications spanning 8,700 journals within the world’s largest knowledge repository, the Web of Science.  The research revealed that papers with the most significant impact were those characterized by what the researchers referred to as “Atypical Combinations.” These papers showcased a fusion of diverse disciplines, such as psychology and evolutionary biology, physics and art, and various other interdisciplinary blends. 

This study unveils significant insights into Talent Acquisition (TA) and Workforce Planning.  It underscores the importance of recognizing the human element as an indispensable skill to drive the advancement of enterprise initiatives.  The advent of Generative AI has introduced new workloads while elevating humans to superhuman capabilities in specific tasks we have long aspired to excel in. 

Here are some activities specific to TA where Gen AI can accelerate the journey (reflections based on our research and based on what I observed in HR tech- may not be entirely complete) 

The following are the areas of Generative AI investments companies should consider to increase the power of Human-Machine synergy.  We are presenting this in detail in Reimagine HR in Orlando later this month. 

1. Automation of Job Description Writing: This model automates creating job descriptions by generating clear and tailored job listings based on predefined criteria and industry standards.
2. Interview Scheduling: The Gen AI model simplifies and streamlines coordinating interviews, allowing recruiters to efficiently set up and manage candidate interview appointments.
3. Recruiter Follow-ups: The  model ensures that proper messages are sent back to the candidates, helping recruiters send timely and personalized messages for effective communication throughout the hiring process.
4. Analyze Notes Across Interviews and Develop Summaries: The model extracts key insights and information from interviewers’ notes, creating concise and informative summaries to aid in candidate evaluation.
5. Matching Internal Candidates to External Databases: The Gen AI model matches existing internal employees with external candidate databases, promoting internal mobility and identifying potential talent within the organization.
6. Content Creation, Such as Blog Posts: The Gen AI model generates various forms of content, including blog posts, to enhance an employer’s brand and engage with potential candidates and the broader talent community.
7. Natural Language-Driven Data Analytics for Measuring TA Efficiency: The Gen AI model utilizes natural language processing to assess talent acquisition processes, measuring efficiency and effectiveness and providing valuable insights for improvement.
8. Analyze Candidate Feedback: The model analyzes feedback from candidates, such as surveys and comments, to identify trends, areas for improvement, and overall candidate satisfaction.
9. Personalized Candidate Experience: The Gen AI model tailors the candidate experience, offering customized interactions, content, and communication to make candidates feel valued and engaged throughout the recruitment journey.
10. Non-Obvious Career Paths Database Creation: The Gen AI model compiles and maintains a database of career paths within an organization that may not be immediately obvious, helping employees explore alternative career trajectories and development opportunities.

We want to draw workforce planners’ attention to the recombinant innovation concept.  An illustrative example of this concept comes from David Dudley Bloom, who had prior experience as a product researcher at a small toy company.  He suggested attaching wheels to suitcases to alleviate the stress of carrying luggage.  This idea, combining diverse ideas and skills, has grown significantly.  (from the book Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed) 

However, the impact of recombinant innovation isn’t always as dramatic as the example mentioned above.  For instance, when transitioned into account management roles, Solution Sales Specialists excel in upselling to existing accounts.  This transition doesn’t require a major shift but yields significant positive outcomes.