AI is the hottest topic in recruitment right now, and that was clear at this year’s Recruitment Agency Expo. From panel discussions to keynote speeches, everyone was talking about how AI and automation are shaping the industry. But beyond the hype, the real question is: how are agencies actually using AI, and what impact is it having? The conversations at the expo painted a clear picture, that AI isn’t replacing recruiters, but it is making them more efficient. For those who are embracing it, the results are undeniable.
Bullhorn led a session around the future of recruitment, and shared that while 52% of agencies are experimenting with AI, only 15% have actually invested in it. Yet the impact is clear:
- AI-driven tools can cut response times by 37% and save recruiters up to 17 hours a week.
- Agencies that gained revenue growth last year were 57% more likely to be in advanced stages of digital transformation.
- Recruiters using automation are 36% more productive.
- AI agents are 20% more productive, but these should be used alongside actual recruiters, instead of replacing them.
However, it isn’t just recruiters and agencies that are ready to adopt AI-driven recruitment, with 81% of candidates stating they are comfortable using AI in the recruitment process, and 63% reporting that it resulted in a faster experience.
AI-driven interactions aren’t just nice to have as they are becoming an expectation. That being said, AI isn’t a magic fix for bad hiring practices. Katrina Collier made a powerful point, that if managers struggle to hire or rely too much on recruiters, AI won’t solve that problem. There will always be a need for Human Intelligence: creativity, curiosity and critical thinking. AI is simply a tool, not a replacement. This rhetoric was backed by Greg Savage of The Savage Recruitment Academy, as he stated, “Human leadership, influencing skills and people are still the cornerstone of this industry, and will be for some time to come.”
This is something we strongly believe at 3B for Salesforce. AI and automation should be used to enhance the recruitment process, not replace the human element that makes it successful. The best results come from technology that streamlines manual tasks whilst leaving recruiters to focus on building relationships, making strategic decisions, and adding real value to the process. AI can be a powerful tool, but only when used right. SocialTalent described AI as a “PhD assistant”. Not a recruiter, but an invaluable support system that handles repetitive tasks, improves candidate engagement, and frees up recruiters to focus on what they do best. Ultimately, recruiters using AI will replace those who don’t.
Beyond AI, JMW Solicitors LLP’s session on employment law highlighted crucial legislative changes that will impact agencies. Employees can now claim unfair dismissal from day one, rather than after two years. The end of zero-hour contracts means agency workers will now be entitled to guaranteed hours based on a rolling average, reasonable shift notice, and the ability to recover financial losses. These changes will require agencies to stay ahead to remain compliant and competitive.
But the biggest takeaway from Recruitment Agency Expo is that AI and automation are no longer “future trends”, they are here, and agencies that embrace them will push ahead. But the human side of recruitment is still just as important. The future isn’t AI vs. recruiters; it’s recruiters and AI.
At 3B, we see this first-hand. Our AI and automation solutions are designed to support recruiters, not replace them by making processes more efficient, improving candidate engagement, and driving better results. That’s why our products, such as 3B Document AI, manage tasks like the extraction of document data and automate ID verification. So your organisation can spend less time on administrative tasks, and more time focusing on what you do best.
If you’re looking to bring AI into your organisation, please get in touch with the team today.