How AI is Transforming the Staffing Industry: Insights from JP Burkwald, Co-Founder of Element6

JP Burkwald, a seasoned professional in the recruiting industry, co-founded Element6, an organizational advisory firm focused on high-impact initiatives alongside his father. His career began in sales, working for Walgreens Health Services in Chicago, before moving to Austin, Texas, to expand a capital equipment manufacturer’s territory. However, his passion for connecting people and identifying great talent led him to launch Element6, which has continued to evolve over the years.?

Burkwald sees firsthand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the staffing industry. From automating candidate screening to improving the hiring process, he acknowledges that AI is transforming the way staffing firms operate.

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AI’s Impact on Element6

At Element6, AI tools streamline various processes, reducing time-to-hire and improving decision-making. AI-powered algorithms assist in sorting through large talent pools, identifying top candidates based on skill sets, and even predicting job market trends. Burkwald leans into the evolution of AI, utilizing the expertise of AI advisors to help implement the technology into his business.

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"We're working with a number of AI consultants around the country,"?JP stated.?"The most exciting part for us is it’s taking away the mundane tasks, enabling us to focus on more complex and high value work”

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Burkwald acknowledges that while AI is powerful, it is still evolving. Many companies, including Element6, actively learn how to best integrate AI into their workflows. Rather than blindly adopting AI for the sake of innovation, Element6 focuses on leveraging it in ways that genuinely add value.?

Despite his AI efforts, Burkwald continues to see the value in the human aspect of his business.

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"I don’t believe AI will ever 100% take over the hiring process,”?Burkwald said.?“I think there are risks relative to the biases that AI is trained on. Are we training it to identify certain characteristics, traits, skills? Have preferences for certain things over others?"

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Bias in AI remains a major concern in the staffing industry. While AI can assist in evaluating candidates, final hiring decisions require human oversight to ensure fairness and accuracy.

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AI in the Staffing Industry: Burkwald’s Perspective

Burkwald believes AI’s role in the staffing industry is to enhance, not replace, human recruiters. He argues that AI should be used to eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing recruiters to focus on relationship-building and strategic decision-making.

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"AI can help us human beings get a little bit more fun and creative, let your guard down and have methodical approaches to the way that we're engaging with others. It allows us to be more strategic in how we interact and build relationships, collaborate and do strategy work rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks,”?Burkwald said.

Rather than fearing AI as a replacement for the recruiting and hiring process, Burkwald sees it as a tool to improve efficiency and free up time for meaningful interactions with candidates and clients.?

Ultimately, Burkwald’s advice is to treat AI as a powerful assistant, not a decision-maker. Organizations that approach AI with intention and strategic foresight gain the most value while avoiding common pitfalls.

When asked about the hesitance some staffing leaders have about AI adoption, Burkwald offers straightforward advice: embrace AI, but do so thoughtfully. He encourages leaders to understand AI’s strengths and weaknesses before integrating it into their processes.

"What advice would I give? Stop focusing on AI changes that barely move the needle. Focus on real impact—like how AI can improve mental health in the workplace or create better work-life balance, assist people in a way that promotes them to do the work that’s most impactful and enjoyable.”

Burkwald also advises other firms to leverage AI to eliminate the mundane tasks that slow business down, but not to replace the critical thinking and relationship-building that make staffing successful.

Conclusion?

AI is reshaping the staffing industry, and under JP Burkwald’s leadership, Element6 embraces AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—human expertise. Staffing leaders who approach AI with an open mind and a strategic focus will be best positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.

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